Blog

CDTLI Blog: Stories from the Dry Tropics

Insights, experiences, and perspectives from our volunteers and the Townsville community.

Step into the world of Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare Inc., where our blog thrives on the zest of Townsville’s community.

From past gems penned by volunteers, like trails to explore and native plant tales, to future posts shaped by local voices, this space grows with you.

Discover stories of restoration, nursery insights, and dry tropics stewardship, all rooted in the hands-on work of our members.

Occasionally, our staff and committee chime in with updates on CDTLI’s plans, progress, and housekeeping, but the heartbeat here is yours. Community-driven content that inspires and connects us to grow local, together.

  • A close-up of a yellowish, spherical flower head from a Leichhardt Tree (Nauclea orientalis), with many spiky filaments.

    How the “Coronavirus Tree” Got Its Name

    At CDTLI’s Bush Garden Nursery, runners nicknamed a Leichhardt Tree (Nauclea orientalis) the “coronavirus tree” for its spiky, virus-like bloom. Volunteer Adam Goulding shares the story and plans to plant…

  • A Lego minifigure of a smiling hiker with a backpack, holding a map and a compass, standing in a natural setting.

    Native Plant Identification Resources

    Discover top resources to identify Townsville’s native plants with ease.

  • A close-up of a single earthworm on a patch of dark, rich soil, with its segmented body clearly visible.

    Worms

    Dive into worm farms—learn tips to keep your wrigglers happy in the tropics.

  • A striking Birdwing butterfly (Ornithoptera) with black, green, and yellow wings, perched on a green leaf.

    Birdwings and Butterfly Vines

    Grow the right vines to attract Birdwing butterflies—learn which ones work.

  • A close-up of a Leucaena leucocephala branch showing a single white, spherical flower with many stamens and fern-like leaves.

    Leucaena leucocephala: Friend and Foe

    Leucaena: a fodder star turned invasive foe—join our fight at Goondaloo Creek!

  • A view of a plant nursery showing rows of native plant seedlings in pots on tables, with a wind turbine visible in the background.

    When Will My Native Plants Flower?

    Learn why native plants bloom on their own timetable—and how to nudge them along.

  • Discover the Bush Garden Interpretive Trail

    Explore the revitalized Bush Garden Trail, Aplins Weir, Mundingburra.

  • A wide view of the Ross River with its surface heavily covered by a thick mat of green aquatic weeds, with trees lining the banks.

    Aquatic Weeds in the Ross River

    Sagittaria, water hyacinth, and more plague Ross River’s waters. These invasive aquatic weeds choke channels, deplete oxygen, and threaten wildlife. Learn how Sagittaria costs farmers millions, how cabomba snares swimmers,…

  • A dense clump of tall, vertical, rush-like plants with yellow-green stripes, representing the type of plant life, like water chestnuts, found at Wongaloo.

    Water chestnuts at Wongaloo

    Carolyn Osterhaus joined a National Landcare Week bus tour to Wongaloo wetlands, home to 12,000 brolgas and magpie geese. She marveled at water chestnuts fueling birdlife, explored weed control efforts,…