50 Years of Mangrove Regeneration – a milestone of conservation efforts for Rapid Creek Landcare group.

Between the typical “start of the wet season” downpours on Sunday 24 November, the Rapid Creek Landcare Group hosted a highly successful community event to celebrate a remarkable milestone - 50 years of mangrove regeneration.

The event showcased the group’s tireless conservation and restoration efforts within the catchment area, from the monsoon forest corridor in the mid catchment through to ‘The Spit’ in the lower catchment.

This area is lined by a diverse mangrove community which suffered catastrophic destruction from two events in 1974; the first was the clearing of the mangroves for the Brinkin Lakes Housing Scheme, and the second was the devastating Category 4 Cyclone Tracy that hit Darwin on Christmas Day, wreaking destruction upon the remaining mangroves.

Today, Rapid Creek and its surrounds are a vibrant recreational space, welcoming almost one million visitors each year who come to enjoy walking, jogging, cycling, fishing, picnicking and birdwatching.

A highlight of the 50 years milestone event were guided mangrove and bird walks led by knowledgeable local guides Sam Wood, Jimmy Metcalfe, David Percival, Adam Bourke, Glen Ewers, and Bryan Baker. Participants gained valuable insights into the creek's unique ecosystem and the importance of conservation efforts.

The event also featured historic aerial images of the creek, kindly printed by Lon, who also edited the Mangrove Celebration 2024 booklet with beautiful images of the mangroves provided by local photographer, Gary Fox, and many historical images included as well.

As we celebrate this significant milestone, we acknowledge the ongoing importance of protecting our precious mangroves. These vital ecosystems provide habitat for countless local species and feeding and roosting places for migratory birds, as well as protecting the shorelines from erosion.

Here's to many more years of preserving our natural heritage, and a huge thank you to Gill, Peter and the numerous community volunteers who played a crucial role in ensuring the event's success.