Kosciuszko Renovation Trip

Kosciuszko Heritage & Łukasz Graban
18th February 2021

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18th February 2021. Morning coffee at the Visitors Centre, Jindabyne. Almost ready to go and inspect rehabilitation sites. From the right to left: the Ambasador of Poland - Michał Kolodziejski, Chris Darlington - Senior Business Officer, NPWS, David Pumphrey - Director of the FNPW and Chair of the Projects Committee, and Rosie McVeigh – Ranger, Conservation Bushfire Recovery NPWS. Amazing landscape as seen from the Eucumbene Lake Dam. Rosie McVeigh, our guide and the bushfire recovery specialist.
Low water level in the Eucambene Lake shows the old trees sticking out. Only National Parks vehicles are allowed to the restricted areas of the Kosciuszko National Park. At lower levels of the Park the bush recovers faster. It is already a year after the fire but the trees along the upper part of the Happy Jack Road show yet no signs of recovery.
Far views to the SE of the Happy Jack Road. The grass recovers first. The burned gum trees need more time at higher levels to recover. Through the burned branches one can see Mt Jugangal.
The higher altitude, the harder to heal & rehabilitate. The gum tree to the right is already showing signs of recovery. Rosie the ranger with David Pumphrey. A unique occassion, a unique group on a unique excursion. From right: Jill Pumphrey, ambassador Kolodziejski, Chris Darlington, David Humphrey and Rosie MacVeigh.
The many bays of the huge Eucambene Lake. Mountain streams - without them there would be no life. Views from the 4WD's windows. The grass is recovering after the bushfire.
The grass is recovering, even some hawks are returning to the region. No red light but our vehicles had to stop to allow a long (1.5 m) and handsome, but deadly tiger snake to cross the road. Rosie: oh, good, the animal life in the KNP is coming back to normal!
At the creek - but still long time to full recovery from the fire. Jack Creek
From left: Chris Darlington, amb. Kołodziejski, Rosie McVeigh and Łukasz Graban.
Ambassador Kołodziejski welcomed by Danny Matthews, a ranger in charge of the rehabilitation team. The group almost complete - except for Andrzej as usual busy taking photos. David Pumphrey learning about local history of the Happy Jack township - at present completely cleaned.
The story of excavations at the former gold mine town. Transplanted new grass and watching how it grows. Straw and hay everywhere to protect new plants and seedlings.
Good luck, you are on your own now... And off we go to another rehabilitation site. On the left and on the right is green - a sign of recovery from the bushfire a year ago.
Kosciuszko National Park - a land of canions, creeks and valleys connected by the bridges. These creeks have to be saved.
Straw bales were placed within bog areas to act as water holding sponges whilst sphagnum and vegetation recover. This is how
A whole bushfire recovery team working so far away from the civilized world. All sorts of fertilizers are placed in the holes. What a dusty job! But new trees and grass have to stabilize the ground.
Holes are dug to receive plants. One of the most ecologically important plants in the KNP bogs is spaghnum moss. The recovery site. At the other side of the creek one can see the whole horizon of burnt trees.
Dust, rock, heat - and hope... Łukasz Graban busy taking photos which will be sent to Poręba Spytkowska in Poland.
Trees burnt a year ago are everywhere. At this height they recover slowly. When will these trees be green again? The recovery is in progress but there is still a long way to go.
Mr Michał Kołodziejski, the Ambassador of Poland Ranger Danny explaining the art of the habitat recovery. Like in the garden, the sticks will help the new native seedlings to grow. Over 50 years they will spread everywhere around.
Charcoal stumps and green meadows.
Having lunch before inspection of little flying foxes sites. Its not Knock knock, any one there? Not all of the flying foxes have come back yet.
David Pumphrey - Director of the FNPW and Chair of the Projects Committee We are at the lower teritory of the Park. One can see the burnt gum trees recovering and already partially green. Former Kiandra's historic courthouse was left with only its walls standing after a fire so hot that the glass and aluminium in the windows melted down.
Golden daisies bring hope.Rehabilitation and renovations processes have begun. Such a hectic day. Even the vehicles are tired. Time to go home. Mick Pettitt, the Director of NPWS had a very busy day. From the early morning attending an important meeting on Snowy Hydro 2 he managed to join us at Kiandra and hand over to the Polish Ambassador a thank you gift commemorating the remarkable Polish contribution to the Park recovery.
And Mick Pettitt received a gift from his guest. To crown the day - a Finally, back at the hotel. Andrzej can strech his legs and admire the view on the blue waters of the Jindabyne Lake. This artificial lake is a part of the Snowy Hydro Scheme as well.