What’s happening at Manly Dam

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Ecologist & Environmental Scientist Sonya Ku will be leading a monitoring session at the Manly Dam for the Climbing Galaxias. To fuel the hunt, we will be meeting for Pizza at Forno, Manly at 6:00pm and will be heading to Manly Dam after that.

    if you are keen to join or have questions please write to us, here.

    What is the Climbing Galaxias? It is a fish estimated to be living here for over 90 million years, predating the splitting up of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana! They can breathe through their skin and actually climb up steep, wet rocks using their fins. More about them here.

  • We will kickstart the first session of the new year with a briefing of the site and a plan for what we want to achieve in 2026.

    We will continue to remove invasive weeds from around the Mermaid Pools site in line with the plan.

    If you’re planning to join and it is your first time - please register with Northern Beaches Council on this link.

Aditi Das Patnaik Aditi Das Patnaik

2025: What we achieved together

Thank you for a wonderful and action packed 2025. This post covers the highlights of 2025 and outlines all the key achievements from gaining momentum in iNaturalist to winning several awards and of course an update on the Mermaid Pool bush care site. 

Read More
Aditi Das Patnaik Aditi Das Patnaik

Why I volunteer

A post on the benefits of volunteering and why you should consider it.

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PAST EVENTS

  • This is the Northern Beaches Council annual Christmas Party for Bushcare volunteers. Please refer to the email from the council for details. If you are a volunteer and don’t have the email invite please let us know on this email (Manlydamwebsite@gmail.com).

    The council also holds the annual Photo Competition with 3 specific categories:

    1. Flora and Fungi

    2. Fauna

    3. People and Places

    Please lodge photos taken from the Northern Beaches area and keep it to a maximum of 2 photos per category.

    Winners will be picked by popular vote from volunteers at the party, with winners announced on the night. Looking forward to celebrate hard work and dedication of Bushcare volunteers.

  • We will have a shorter than usual Bushcare session as we we continue to remove invasive weeds from around the Mermaid Pools site.

    This will be followed by a ‘pot-luck’ style Christmas Gathering.

    If you’re planning to join and it is your first time - please register with Northern Beaches Council on this link.

  • Talking nature: from Bush to Beach an event by Northern Beaches Envirolink

    Date: 5th Nov, 2025 | Time: 5:30pm | Venue: Tramshed - Lakeview Hall, 1395A Pittwater Rd, Narrabeen NSW 2101 (Location on Map)

    We welcome you to an event focusing on local environmental challenges as well as an update on the Lizard Rock Rezoning, a part of which borders Manly Dam.

    • 5.30pm: Light Supper & non alcoholic drinks, mix, mingle and connect

    • 5:50pm: Welcome to Country by Neil Evans

    • 6:00pm: Sonja Elwood, Senior Invasive Species Officer at NBCspeaking on “Priority Weed Management to protect Biodiversity on Sydney's Northern Beaches”

    • 6:45pm: Phil Colman, Marine Biologist with expertise in intertidal zones will speak on ‘The east coast current’. A limited number of Phil's recently published book -Exploring tidal waters on Australia's temperate coast, will be available

    • 7:10pm: Councillor Kristyn Glanville, solicitor practising in environment and planning law will be providing an update on the ‘Lizard Rock’ rezoning and development

    • 7:20pm - 8:00pm - Community Brainstorming with more food and drinks.

    If you’re keen to attend please RSVP.

  • Plenty happening this October!

    At this bushcare session we will continue to remove invasive weeds from around the Mermaid Pools site. We will tackle some Mother of millions (Bryophyllum species) at the top of the waterfall and Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus) at the base of the pool.

    It also coincides with the UNSW Open Day and we will be running the Sausage Sizzle there.

    Members from the Coexist Sydneygroup will be joining for bushcare and a walk as well.

    If you’re planning to join and it is your first time - please register with Northern Beaches Council on this link.

  • We’re hosting a social gathering for all our volunteers, past, present and intending. The plan is to meet at 12 noon for drinks, lunch and gelato after. Then who knows … possibly another cocktail?

    Please RSVP here if you’re planning to attend or would like to join our fabulous volunteering crew.