'Backyard Biodiversity' Sensory walk edition with Wildife Expert, Juan Forero accompanied the Northern Beaches Vision Impaired local community group and guided their experience of the flora and fauna at Manly Dam.

This series was the last part of an Environment Grant by the Northern Beaches Council.

This sensory walk focused on listening rather than seeing. This walk was designed for people who are visually impaired or have low vision, with the idea of helping them connect with and learn about nature through sound. Together we listened to birds, learned to distinguish different species by their calls, and explored the meaning and purpose behind those sounds.

It was heartening to hear participants tell Juan how much they enjoyed the experience, making it all worthwhile.

Bushcare at Mermaid Pools happened on the 27th Jun, one of the weed targeted this session was “Mother of Millions”. At the break, the speaker was Melissa Cristina Márquez, a marine biologist, award-winning author and science communicator.

May 23rd: Twenty family groups came to Mermaid Pools, and planted native species. This was to celebrate the 40th birthdays of Allambie Heights residents Will and Selene. Mermaid Pools Bushcare volunteers were amazing as they guided the various families during the planting process.

Afterwards we were treated to a fascinating talk by Manly resident and Polar biologist Rebecca Duncan. Who knew that plankton could be so crucial to our environment ?

May 9th: 'Backyard Biodiversity' is an invitation to explore and learn about the night time biodiversity of the Manly Dam Catchment with Wildife Expert, Juan Forero. In this After Dark edition we spotted various Manly Dam residents - Ring-tailed possums, Brush-tailed possum, Swamp Wallabies, numerous Grey headed flying foxes, Sleepy Kookaburras, Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, Brush Turkey, Orb Weaver Spider, Leaf Curling Spider, Huntsman  and more. Juan talked about the habitat and it’s little creatures to offer a better understanding of Manly Dam’s biodiversity.

This series is part of an Environment Grant by the Northern Beaches Council.

'Backyard Biodiversity' is an invitation to explore and learn about the night time biodiversity of the Manly Dam Catchment with Wildife Expert, Juan Forero in this After Dark edition on 11th Apr. Various Manly Dam residents were spotted on the walk - Moths, Spiders, water dragons and geckos, Possums, Fishes, Frogs and more. Juan talked about the habitat and it’s little creatures to offer a better understanding of Manly Dam bush and understand their habitat.

This series is part of an Environment Grant by the Northern Beaches Council.

Our usual Bushcare session happened on Apr 18th with a very interesting talk by Dr. Melanie Zeppel. on Conservation Biology aspects of Manly Dam, Mermaid Pool, Tree Physiological carbon and water relations.

Frog guru Jodi Rowley led a small group of volunteers on a Manly Dam frog expedition on the evening of Thursday March 19th.

The March bush care session was held on the 28th. We continued to remove invasive weeds from around the Mermaid Pools site in line with the work we started in January.

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

We had our second bushcare session of 2026 on the 28th of Feb and continued to remove invasive weeds from around the Mermaid Pools site in line with the work we started in January.

We also had Lisa Hodgson sharing fun shark facts. Lisa has a BSc in Marine Biology, is a PADI Divemaster and works at the Australian Museum and has a real passion for conservation. We love her enthusiasm.

This is the first in a series of 2026 break time talks at Mermaid Pools being organised by another of our volunteers, Mel Zeppel who herself is a recognised "superstar of STEM".

We had our very first session of 2026 on Jan 31st. We continued our work from last year to remove invasive weeds from around the Mermaid Pools site.

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

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.