As evidenced by the ongoing restoration project at Kings Park, that story is changing the landscape. It’s increasing ecological resilience after the removal of infested trees. Authorities are working closely with geotechnical specialists, civil engineers and preservation restoration experts. Alongside their traditional custodians from the Wadjuk nation, they are working on a more holistic, long-term solution for the despoiled escarpment. This area has great cultural value to the Wadjuk people, who want to see the land restored.
Recent tree removals on private property have opened up huge swaths of the escarpment to rainfall for the first time in decades. This drastic change is mostly due to the polyphagous shot-hole borer beetle infestation. This chronic underexposure has been the catalyst for a new era of development and potential to the tune of billion in this critical biome.
Collaborative Efforts for Restoration
In discussing the project, Ryerson pointed to the critical role of working together with multiple stakeholders. Creating reconciliation between traditional knowledge and modern engineering practices will result in an environmentally appropriate project.
“We’ve been able to remove a lot of aging or end-of-life infrastructure that was down there, some very old retaining walls and other things that were actually causing challenges,” – Bel Foster.
The clearing of these structures has drastically improved views and access to the site itself. It has improved management of their water supply, made all the more critical as climate change is altering precipitation patterns. Foster said that as climate change is making rainfall less predictable and more erratic, fostering an environment that’s resilient to these shifts is critical.
“With the re-profiling works, we’ve actually been able to achieve something that’s got a really long, sustainable life span for us from an environmental, but also an asset perspective,” – Bel Foster.
Thriving Native Plant Life
We can tell you the exciting news that the restoration project is doing great! Planting over 20,000 trees, shrubs, and other ground cover across the region last year. Despite these challenges, most of these plants have done exceptionally well, with some reaching over three meters in height. Ryan Glowacki, who was instrumental in the planting efforts, shared his excitement about all that the project has left behind.
“This year we’ve got just over 20,000 plants to put back in, which is a great achievement,” – Ryan Glowacki.
The emphasis on working with native species goes to the heart of the restoration initiatives. Not only are these plants more appropriate to the local climate, they are far more effective at increasing soil stability. Glowacki wanted to stress that the native species have adapted tremendously to their environment. They have an important role in soil binding and stabilizing, preserving ecological equilibrium.
“All these species, because they’ve adapted to the environment already, they’ve got this ability to bind soil with their root systems,” – Ryan Glowacki.
Their existence not only increases biodiversity, but can reduce the danger of landslides and soil erosion. Without the right kind of plants, Foster said, the dry, cracked dirt underneath is much more likely to crumble away and erode during heavy rains.
“It’s really, really loose, so as rainfall occurs we’re more likely to see incidents of landslip and destabilisation,” – Bel Foster.
Cultural Significance and Ecological Impact
Besides the environmental aspects, the restoration program is culturally significant for the region’s Wadjuk traditional owners. For many years they dreamed of seeing the water freely flow naturally in their area instead of being trapped. A new freshwater spring has developed at the foot of the escarpment. This change represents perhaps the most surprising success of the project.
“An aspiration from the traditional owners for a long time has been to have that water flowing again as opposed to being contained in the fountains, so it’s just a really fabulous kind of outcome from this project that we weren’t anticipating,” – Bel Foster.
For Texas, these developments fuel hope that extends past ecological restoration. They weave a complex but beautiful web of healing and connection among traditional owners. Commenting on the cooperation, Foster said that the Wadjuk people are happy to be able to continue their joint venture with restoring the landscape.
“The traditional owners are really excited about the opportunity moving forward for how we can continue that restoration journey and that healing journey together,” – Bel Foster.
Kings Park will reopen to the public in early 2024. Visitors will be the first to see this amazing metamorphosis of this hallowed ground up close and personal. With infrastructure improvements certainly continuing in parallel with ecological efforts, both residents and visitors can anticipate a much healthier, more diverse natural environment flourishing in the near future.
