The Mt Taylor Parkcare group works in partnership with the ACT Parks and Conservation Service and is a member group of the Southern ACT Catchment Group. SACTCG is an umbrella organisation for all Parkcare, urban landcare and Waterwatch groups, the Lake Tuggeranong carers and rural landholders, working in the Southern catchment of the ACT. Their website has group contact details and up-to-date news from the catchment.

If you are interested in volunteering with the Mt Taylor Parkcare Group, please contact the Group Convenor. When sending us emails, make sure you delete the REMOVEME text in the email address (it's there to protect us from spam). If you want to keep up to date with news, please take a look at the Mount Taylor Facebook page.

Plants, Animals and the environment

Mount Taylor covers over 5 square kilometres of ground with steep and gentle slopes up to a height of 854m. Stretching from Sulwood drive in Kambah to the Hindmarsh / Tuggeranong Parkway intersection, the mountain is both a significant landmark, and a well used recreational resource in the south Canberra region. There are two small dams on Mt Taylor, formerly erosion control structures, that provide wetland habitat for up to three frog species and many waterbirds, as well as water points for wildlife.

Plant species

Taylor's dominant tree species mainly consist of various strains of eucalyptus, which are listed below. A variety of native shrub species, and several types of orchids can also be found on the mountain.

Weeds

The mountain also unfortunately supports a few unwelcome weeds as well, which mostly arrive through proximity to household gardens. Several varieties are listed below, though the main problems now are Verbascum, St. John's Wort, and invasive grasses.

History of the group

The original Mount Taylor Park Care Group was founded in 1989, but collapsed around a year later due to insufficient interest. The present group was started in 1991 by Anne I'Ons and four others as a measure to slow the spread of woody weeds, as well as to care generally for the mountain. Today we have a membership of around 60, meet monthly, and continue to work to maintain and extend the progress made over the past two decades. By working toward suppressing the spread of weeds, tree/shrub/grass plantings and erosion control we ensure that the mountain maintains its place as a haven for runners, walkers and various animal and plant species.

The Mount Taylor Park Care Group works in partnership with the ACT Parks and Conservation Service and often assists with planning, and projects related to the mountain and surrounding region. They were especially prominent in the rebuilding, planning and monitoring process following the 18 January 2003 firestorm, when the Parks Service was especially stretched due to the extent of the destruction.

Upon formation in 1991, the original group of 5 members mapped out a work program. For one morning or afternoon each month, and starting from the eastern side of Mt Taylor, the group used axes, saws, mattocks and herbicide to remove the mature woody weeds. The group envisaged they would work their way around the mountain in 18 months. Instead, it took 3 years. The group then returned to the start and continued their work program, gradually removing the regrowth from widely distributed seed banks. Over time, membership has risen to 60, including 20 very active members. The group is quite diverse, and includes retirees, doctors, public servants, scientists, botanists, manual workers, school children, and university students.

Woody weeds are now under control on Mt Taylor, but regrowth from seeds and hidden roots will be common for many years. Soft weeds have been greatly reduced in number, although completely removing them is likely to take decades due to extensive seed banks. There is also the constant threat of new infestations from land adjacent to Mount Taylor Nature Park especially invasive grass species like African Lovegrass. The 2003 bushfires actually assisted in the woody weed removal process as these resprouted first and were consequently highly visible. The group has been rewarded with a diversity of plant species reappearing overtime, including the 70 or so bird species currently living in the park.

The group has minimal costs and were able to purchase their own tools after receiving a National Australia Bank Grant several years ago. Prior to this they were supplied with tools by Canberra Nature Parks. Herbicide was the largest expense in the past, but is now that the weed situation is under control this has dropped significantly. While there has been occasional supervision from Park rangers, the group generally works on its own.

Over the years, the Mount Taylor Parkcare group has been responsible for the removal of around 44 000 woody weeds, countless 'soft weeds' and the planting of over 1000 trees and understory species. Various walking trails and erosion control systems have also been implemented by the group in conjunction with the rangers from the ACT Parks and Conservation Service. The group continues to work to maintain the progress it has made, and assist with environmental decision making in the surrounding region.