Flora/ Fauna
Our physical environment is at the heart of what CCS is about. If you live in this region, you are probably enjoying what CCS has fought for and preserved over the past 49 years. In particular “canopy trees” are foremost in the character of Maroondah.
A canopy tree is defined as any tree that has a height greater than 5 metres OR a single trunk circumference greater than 0.5 metre (measured at 1 metre above ground level). Permits are required to remove this type of vegetation.Our trees are of great importance and add significantly to our living environment.
Canopy tree protection. It is probably the most coveted regulation we have in Maroondah, and is often spoken as the “best thing about Maroondah” indeed the insignia begins with a eucalypt leaf! Tree removal is always an issue, causing much controversy. There are some quite vocal resident who believe that, what is planted on their land is by right theirs, and their argument is “if I planted that tree twenty five years ago, it is my right to remove it!”
Speaking on behalf of the non human residents of Maroondah “Those trees are mine!”. These residents encompass insects, small lizards, bats, bees, spiders and of course birds, indeed quite a diverse ecosystem and food chain. Maroondah has a significant variety when compared to other urban areas and the reason for that has been the retention of extensive tree cover right across the municipality.
So “we” very quickly become squatters in those trees, it is our shelter, home and food source whether nectar, seeds or insects. That tree is now part of our habitat regardless of whether its location, reserve or private land. We don’t see land neatly divided into blocks with fences. What we see is that the tree provides connectivity with other trees nearby forming a significant canopy. Multiply this many times over and we have something called a wildlife corridor. This is crucial for our survival as individuals and also the connectivity helps dispersal of wildlife populations between larger areas and ensures healthy genetic interchange and enables migration.
See further articles relating to specific development sites, reserves, weeds, companion animals, local indigenous fauna, and friends groups.