Caring for the Land and Its Hidden Wildlife at G’s Lane
Our Land for Wildlife and Landcare project at G’s Lane is a continuous journey — a slow and steady effort that requires patience, persistence, and a lot of heart. It’s a bit of a balancing act: caring for the land while protecting the creatures, both seen and unseen, that call it home.
When we talk about wildlife, it’s not just the birds perched in the trees or the wallabies hopping through the paddocks. It’s also about the countless smaller creatures we rarely see — the insects, reptiles, and soil dwellers who all play a vital role in keeping our ecosystem healthy. Because of this, every decision we make out here matters.
We don’t go around knocking down trees — whether they’re living or dead — without first looking carefully for nests or hollows. Every hollow log or standing tree can be a home to someone. And when we pull weeds, we make a point of replanting native species to fill the gap.
For example, in some areas we’ve removed Lantana, which, although loved by birds for its berries, spreads quickly and overtakes native plants. In its place, we’ve planted Midyim Berry — another bird favourite that supports native biodiversity rather than harming it.
We’ve also been digging out Wild Tobacco, a stubborn invader that takes over quickly. In those cleared spaces, we’re replanting with Koala food trees, providing a delicious and sustainable food source for our furry locals. It’s all part of the same idea — removing what doesn’t belong and replacing it with something that gives back to the ecosystem.
Our approach to weed control is mostly manual. It’s slower, harder work, and it means returning to the same area again and again, but it allows us to keep a close eye on regrowth while minimising disruption. Sometimes we use the tractor for tougher patches, but often it’s just a shovel, patience, and persistence. Working in small sections helps us manage our time and keep things under control.
We’ve chosen this hands-on method because we care deeply about more than just what’s visible. Using chemical sprays might be faster, but we worry about the unseen impact — on insects, reptiles, and the soil itself. Those toxins can linger, seeping into the ground where bandicoots, echidnas, and countless other small creatures dig and forage. They can also make their way into our waterways, affecting the broader ecosystem far beyond the immediate area.
For us, this work is about finding balance — tackling invasive weeds while nurturing the land and all who live upon it. It’s slow progress, but every small step makes a difference.