Endangered Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest

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Our school grounds are home to one of the remaining fragments of the Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest, which since European settlement, has been reduced to just 0.5% of its original area. Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest is protected as an Endangered Ecological Community (EEC), under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and a Critically Endangered Ecological Community under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

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Whilst it is a small remnant patch of bushland, it forms part of a wildlife corridor for species that rely on this habitat. The mature trees may provide hollows for Australia’s largest owl, the Powerful Owl and also for the Glossy Black-Cockatoo.

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In 2008 and 2014, the P&C received funding from Ku-ring-gai Council to undertake bush regeneration. Whilst this was very beneficial in removing weeds and allowing native species to grow, it only provided short-term assistance.

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For long-term management of the site, we hope, with assistance from Ku-ring-gai Council’s Bushcare Team, to establish the St Ives High School Bushcare Group to maintain this rare bushland area for future students and long-term benefits for the local environment.

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Below, a few of our hardworking parents and students get together on some weekends and work on the Bush area around the school.

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Some of the students from year 8-12 who are involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Program, will not only be adding to their service hours but also help to clear out the bush area and work towards regeneration. This wok is in conjunction with Ku-Ring-Gai Council environment program.

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To find out more and to volunteer for Bush Regeneration Action Days, email Sandie.