Cumberland Plain Woodland
Why is Cumberland Plain Woodland important?
- It is unique to western Sydney
- It is a place where people can enjoy nature
- It helps to clean the air
- It provides habitat for native birds, animals and plants
- It helps to keep our creeks clean
- It provides interest and beauty to urban and agricultural areas
- There is very little of it left
Under threat
Once thought of by many as unsightly scrub, this bushland is now being recognised for what it is - a unique type of Woodland not found anywhere else in Australia, which is rare and threatened with extinction. Both Federal and State governments have listed the Cumberland Plain Woodland as an Endangered Ecological Community - the first time that a whole plant community has been recognised as being in danger of extinction. But even with laws to protect the Woodland, it is still under threat.
The Woodland was heavily cleared in the past for farming and is still being cleared today to accommodate much of Sydney’s population growth. In many places the Woodland is also being badly affected by weeds, fertiliser run-off and rubbish.
We can all play a part in conserving Woodland and bringing the bush back to western Sydney - landholders, community groups, schools, TAFEs and universities, artists, local, State and Federal authorities. We all need to work together to conserve Cumberland Plain Woodland.
How to recognise Cumberland Plain Woodland
- Find out if you live in a Cumberland Plain woodland area.
- Look at the soil - the heavy clay soil produced from Wianamatta Shale is typical of the Cumberland Plain.
- Visit some known sites open to the public.
- Look at the trees - Cumberland Plain Woodland varies slightly between locations, but will contain at least one canopy tree species.
- Look at the understorey - there are typical shrubs, ground covers and grasses.
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