Jo Longman and Mark Scotton are the owners of Silky Oaks a wildlife sanctuary situated in McLeans Ridges, New South Wales. The property is a residential rural block that the owners have built on. Owners Jo and Mark’s current and future intentions are to eliminate invasive weed species such as lantana, privet and camphor laurels and replant with natives wherever possible and create an environment that will support local wildlife.
Silky Oaks spans 0.8 hectares. The land has been previously used as a paddock prior to being developed. The property features a small shred of rainforest which includes two 70-year-old teak trees (Tectona grandis), a fragrant myrtle (Myrtus communis) and features native species such as kamala trees (Mallotus philippensis), lots of silky oaks (Grevillea robusta) and other natives. The owners have planted many native trees and shrubs gradually over the last five years.
The property provides habitat for a range of species including pretty faced wallabies (Notamacropus parryi), echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus), brown snakes (Pseudonaja textilis), and many bird species including fairy wrens (Malurus sp.), lorikeets, rosellas (Platycercus sp.) and wagtail species.
