Linking and protecting vegetation in ACT

The acronym "VIP" is apt for the Australian Capital Territory's Vegetation Investment Project, because the conservation work enjoys an important status in the region.

Funding

The scientifically-led project, has received more than $58,450 from the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust and in-kind contribution from the ACT Government. It has worked with 55 land managers in buffering, linking and protecting 102 hectares of native remnant vegetation from Murrumbidgee in the south, to Hall in the north.

Activities

Project manager, Susie Wilson, of Greening Australia ACT said work started in 1999. It tackled habitat loss from vegetation clearing, fragmentation of vegetation and reduction of flora and fauna species, using research conducted by CSIRO Wildlife and Ecology.

"Birds were surveyed on more than 70 woodland sites in the north of the ACT, including Yellow Box Woodland on private and public land including Black Mountain and Mt Majura," Susie said.

"The study outlined the habitat needs of 25 species of insectivorous birds and provided guidelines on re-vegetation, such as ensuring woodland patches are increased to at least 10 hectares and that at least 20 per cent of shrub cover is maintained within each patch.

"These guidelines show landholders how to identify, improve and connect patches of bush that are significant to local native fauna such as the Hooded Robin."

Achievements

Using these guidelines, more than 1,300 community volunteers planted over 16,000 native trees and shrubs and contributed more than 3,400 work hours to create bush "stepping-stones" in the landscape.

Activities included enlarging vegetation patches, improving plant diversity, creating bridges between isolated habitats, establishing vital east and west vegetation links and providing buffers from urban development.

One dedicated volunteer, Sarah Hnatiuk, oversees the project's monitoring programme and visits 20 different sites to record species survival, habitat assessment and ground cover assessment.

"The success of the VIP project has led to work on sites throughout southern ACT, particularly a peri-urban development called 'Royalla'," Susie said. "By working in this newly developed rural residential area, people who were new to conservation work have been educated and as a result, formed Royalla Landcare."

Statisitcs for the south are impressive. Corridors have been created with more than 55 kilometres of fencing to protect 54,500 trees, shrubs, grasses and more than 130 kilometres of direct seeding. Over 100 hectares of native vegetation has been re-established and more than 440 hectares of remnant vegetation protected.

More information

1. Susie Wilson, Greening Australia ACT & SE NSW: (02) 6253 3035 or swilson@act.greeningaustralia.org.au

Australian Government NRM Team
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
1800 552 008 (toll-free)

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NRM, NHT and NAP are jointly administered by the Australian Government departments of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts