Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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site specific
region wide
Bluegum forest protected into the future
A gorse infestation at Dew Rivulet
Gorse has already been removed from this area
Greening Australia Project Officer Bridget Jupe views the cleared area with property owner Annie Temmhof and Derwent Catchment NRM Officer Steven Joyce
Grassy Bluegum forest on Bruny Island, southeast Tasmania, will be protected for the next ten years thanks to a comprehensive landholder agreement.
This vital habitat - to the endangered Swift Parrot in particular - is just one patch of land amongst 1,220 hectares that has been promised protection in Tasmania.
Funding
Funding of around $9,000 from the Australian Government and support from the State Government has been provided for work, with activities being supervised by the Southern Natural Resource Management Regional Committee.
Activities and achievements
The Bush and Stream Incentives for Conservation Scheme, driven by Greening Australia, has provided incentives to 46 landholders for 60 kilometres of fencing, 31 offstream watering points and woody weed control in 64 sites in southern Tasmania.
Project Manager Sebastian Burgess said all incentives were underwritten by voluntary 10 year management agreements, which require participants to conserve the selected areas and complete any on-ground work within a timeframe.
"Not just any piece of land receives this pledge, but rather high conservation plant types such as areas containing threatened species, wetlands, marshes and river vegetation," Sebastian said.
"Lake Crescent, for example, has had fencing to exclude cattle from the foreshore, protect habitat for the Acacia Derwentiana along the Derwent River and preserve tidal saltmarshes in the Pittwater area."
On the middle reaches of the Huon River, Mark O'May and his family signed on the dotted line to help protect their end of the river. Attracted by the natural bush on the property the O'Mays had recently purchased it with a goal to preserve and improve the natural features surrounding the farmland.
Their patch of river was lined with a diverse plant community and, apart from a couple of young willows, the river was in excellent heath. The Australian government provided funding to tackle stray willow trees and fencing to keep stock out of the river.
"As for crop or pastureland, separate management activities have been tried and tested across the state," Sebastian said.
"Landholders fence off bush, rivers and native grass or wetlands to not only protect high conservation value vegetation but also improve productivity levels in stock, pasture and crops. They also provide better shelter to reduce calving and lambing mortalities.
"Fencing stock from waterways allows natural growth of native plants along riverbanks and wetland fringes, which leads to improved water quality and streambank stability, as river plants act as filters and stabilisers."
More information
- Sebastian Burgess: (03) 6223 6377 or sebastianb@greeningaustralia.org.au
See also
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