There is a band of elders within the Friends of Knocklofty Bushcare group that have committed decades of their lives to restoring the once gorse-infested reserve.
One of those is Astrid Wright, who has been plotting the removal of harmful environmental weeds from Knocklofty Reserve as the group's convenor for 16 years, and has been volunteering with the group since its inception.
Astrid is now handing over the convenor's baton to Virginia Watson, who is keen to learn everything she can from Astrid.
"I've only taken on the convenor role in the past couple of months because Astrid really needed a break," says Virginia.
"But in many ways Astrid is still the unofficial convenor. Her knowledge of the role and of Knocklofty Reserve is unmatchable."
A special bunch
Virginia says the Friends of Knocklofty is a very special Bushcare group. Many of its members have been with the group since its earliest days, almost 30 years ago.
"Back then the reserve was covered in gorse and other invasive weeds, and its native plants and wildlife were struggling to survive," she says.
"The group has done so much work to rehabilitate the landscape and their sense of dedication to this task never wavers.
"They are all very welcoming to anyone new who turns up to an activity and happily share their knowledge of the history of this landscape and of course, the invasive plants that everyone is here to deal with."
Astrid Wright in her element, surrounded by a field of dead gorse and native grasslands bouncing back to health.
A force for nature
In 2016 Astrid's achievements as one of Hobart's most passionate Bushcare volunteers were recognised with a Bushcare Legend Golden Secateurs Award.
Even back then she was one of our longest-serving volunteers, giving up hundreds of hours every year to help protect the natural values of Knocklofty Reserve.
Generous with her knowledge of the land Astrid played an instrumental role in nurturing a connection between the Knocklofty Bushcare group and younger generations. She has conducted guided tours of the reserve for students all the way from kindergarten to university.
Learning the lie of the land
Astrid is now mentoring Virginia as she comes to grips with the job of being a Bushcare convenor.
"It's very rewarding learning about Tasmanian native plants and the history of the reserve from Astrid and other very experienced members of the group," says Virginia.
"I have been growing a garden of local plants for the past five years and although this gives me a lot of joy it's a solitary pursuit.
"Joining Friends of Knocklofty is as pleasurable as gardening but you are part of a team.
"I'm fascinated by Australian plants and animals and their ecosystems and habitats. The co-evolution over so many millennia of all these incredible species is endlessly intriguing.
"If I had to name a favourite native species it would probably be the yellow-tailed black cockatoo. There is a group, maybe a family group, of these magnificent birds that seem to live in the reserve and I often see them flying between Knocklofty and the Queens Domain.
"Where I live is almost under their flight path and their haunting calls usually alert me to their movements."
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Inspired by this story and want to help us protect the native plants and wildlife that call Hobart's bushland parks and reserves home?
Check out the latest Bushcare working bee program to see when and where the Friends of Knocklofty and our other fantastic Bushcare groups are working all around Hobart's bushland reserves.
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Friends of Knocklofty
Knocklofty Reserve is part of the foothills of Kunanyi/Mt Wellington just above West Hobart. The 155 hectare reserve is mostly native bushland, and protects an astonishing variety of plants and animals.
This healthy, thriving native bushland is not an accident. It has resulted from many years of tireless dedication from a small group of Bushcare volunteers: The Friends of Knocklofty Bushcare Group.
Formed in 1992, the group works on the reserve in partnership with the City of Hobart, which owns the land on behalf of the citizens of Hobart.
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Astrid Wright in the thick of it with her Knocklofty Bushcare crew.