Melaleuca Wetlands Project 2018-2023.. and beyond
The Melaleuca Wetlands on Coochiemudlo Island (Kutchi Mudlo = red earth rock) nests warmly in our hearts. In this place we are active in the ‘now’, yet feel connected to different times and visions of beautiful future. This earth feels old, and soft, and full of stories.
The trees are ancient and magnificent - callitris, corymbia, eucalyptus, melaleuca, banksia.. the reeds grow tall and thick amidst several kinds of fern, laced with butterflied vine, strappingly young ‘til gnarly with age.. these lowest grounds are mostly soaked with old rains, dark and brackish waters, home to frog and cricket and mystery.. mosquitoes fly thick at times, challenging the heavy heat to bring a cool and salty breeze from nearby seas.. when it does, more oft than not, we too can lift our faces to feel it fan over sweaty grimy skin, refreshing us once more.
We work to clear vast thickets of weed, tangles of twiny vines and deeply-rooted shrubs n weedy trees. Its hard and spiky, and achy work; layers thick and deep are pulled from deeper wet lands to drier grounds, piled high to invite the composting guys.
We love what we do because as we work over time and with space, diverse forms of fungi, leaf and flower grow strong, homes of wasp, worm and spider become softer and wider.. the cicadas around sing for company in tune with bird language, and story of old comes up through the water, sand, dirt and into the air, with fresh shoots, new roots, tasty fruits. And in that moment of focus and purpose and agency, under the whispering trees, it feels like home.
“this land is me - rock, water, animal, tree” ~ kev carmody
“there are two kinds of time: working time and waiting time” ~ joan bradley
For five years now we have been visiting Kutchi Mudlo - Country strong for Yuggera and Quandamooka peoples - collaborating with Coochie Island Coastcare, Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation, Healthy Land and Water and Redlands City Council. We work to protect, enhance and recover threatened species and ecosystems. These wetlands are form part of a global migratory habitat for birds and marine creatures, protected by Ramsar Convention: an intergovernment conservation treaty formed 50 years ago.
- by tali