Threatened species found in WA Wheatbelt

Populations of two threatened mammals have been discovered in Western Australia's Wheatbelt thanks to an ongoing project to conserve the area's biodiversity.

Habitats on private land across Tarin Rock Representative Landscape Area in the Shire of Dumbleyung are home to an amazing array of native wildlife.

Sara Robinson from the WA Department of Environment and Conservation said wildlife surveys undertaken in 2003 revealed the presence of species like the nationally threatened Red-tailed Phascogale and the Ash-grey Mouse.

"This was very exciting, as they'd not previously been recorded in the area," she said.

"This place is also home to many other animals including eight mammal, four frog, 19 reptile and 108 bird species, some of which are extinct from other Wheatbelt areas."

Funding

Landholders are getting involved in work to protect habitats for these species with funding of more than $260,000 from the Australian Government and support from the State Government.

Activities

"While much of the Tarin Rock area is already being cared for through reserves, a significant proportion is located on private land, so we're working with landholders to look after these remnants," Sara said.

"We're sharing costs with farmers to help them undertake practical work such as fencing, replanting and feral animal control. For example, we provide 75 per cent of the establishment cost of planting seedlings.

"There are 22 landholders in the project area and, over the past four years, we've worked with 12 of them on 30 projects to protect significant blocks of native plants."

Along with financial assistance participating landholders receive technical support through site visits to help plan work on the ground. Staff also provide advice on aspects such as the mix of species selected for planting and the importance of using species that naturally occur in adjacent bushland.

Achievements

"A number of farmers we're working with are seeing faster growth rates in their new plantings than they are used to, because of the local species we have selected," Sara said. "They've been pleasantly surprised by the way the new plants have become established so quickly.

"It takes a couple of years to see the results of replanting. However the plants we put in back in 2003-04 are growing well and we're starting to see some positive changes in the local landscape."

More information

• Sara Robinson, Conservation Officer, WA Department of Environment and Conservation: (08) 08 9821 1296 or Sara.Robinson@dec.wa.gov.au

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

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Caring for our Country is an Australian Government initiative jointly administered by the Australian Government departments of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts