Commonly known as the Mike O’Keeffe Woodland, the Black Gully Crown Reserve has been transformed from a weed-infested dumping ground into the restored and revegetated area we all enjoy today. As trustees of this Crown reserve the Armidale Tree Group was recognised as one of three finalists in the 2017 Department of Primary Industries Crown Reserve Trust – Corporate Manager’s Award.
Mike O’Keefe Woodland Centre
The Black Gully Crown Reserve has been managed and restored by the Armidale Tree Group’s volunteers over the past twenty-two years. Over this time the Tree Group’s vision to ‘Re-leaf New England’ has resulted in the restoration of this remnant threatened Ribbon Gum, Mountain Snow Gum, Grassy Forest and Woodland ecological community as both an educational and a leisure facility for the community. This restoration has involved the construction of a large weir, extensive woody weed removal, the growing and planting of 5,000 trees and shrubs, the construction of a bird hide, nesting boxes, boundary fences and gates, walking tracks, seating, and the erection of ecological signage throughout the reserve.
Kerry and David Steller with Daniel Gibson (Prime 7) with the finalist plaque at the Awards night in Newcastle last November.
The local community has been provided with a peaceful, well maintained bushland area within the city boundary. It provides local residents opportunities for walking, bird watching and placid recreational and leisure activities. Feedback from locals who use the reserve is overwhelmingly positive, especially over the last five years, as the restoration has neared completion. Many local residents have had an ongoing input onto this area and as a result display stewardship of this area.
