Wheatbelt farm a haven for threatened species

Inspections of two patches of original bushland being preserved on a farm in Western Australia's Wheatbelt have revealed some unexpected plants and animals are making the area their home.

In fact within 10 minutes of arriving at Gene Stone's property 'Bridlevale' in the Shire of Quairading, WWF-Australia Project Officer Mick Davis spotted a rare Tree-stem Trapdoor Spider.

"The Trapdoor Spider was not the only species we found out of its usual range on this property," Mike said.

"Gene has spotted a small flock of Crimson Chats, which is usually a desert bird and unusual to see this far south west."

Funding

Gene has permanently conserved his bush blocks through a conservation covenant and secured over $4300 in funding from the Australian Government to erect new protective fencing.

Mike describes him as one of the Wheatbelt's champion landholders because of his enthusiasm for preserving the biodiversity on his property while carrying on farming sheep and wheat. But Gene says he is just doing what comes naturally to him.

"We've always appreciated the patches of bush on the property. They were a part of the farm we were never going to use or clear and our local Landcare Coordinator suggested we place a covenant over the property and apply for funding to protect it," Gene said.

Activities and achievements

"WWF-Australia and others came and assessed the land and the results formed the basis of the covenant, which we set up through the WA Department of Conservation and Land Management.

"It was good to go in to the bush with the experts. I learnt a lot from observing what they were doing and it was amazing what they discovered in a bit of bush we never used."

Threatened wildlife was not the only unexpected discovery on the property; an Indigenous cultural site was also discovered in one of the remnants.

"We found a large white ochre pit which the Noongar people had used for ceremonial purposes and body painting," Mike said.

"This was such a significant find the Avon Catchment Council's Natural Resource Management Indigenous Facilitator arranged for it to be registered with the WA Department of Indigenous Affairs for its ongoing protection.

"Gene visited the site with the Elders and they shared with him some history and special information about the site. In many ways they consider him an honorary custodian."

1. Gene Stone: (08) 9645 1214
2. Mike Griffiths, WWF-Australia Ecosystems Project Coordinator: (08) 9690 2232 or mgriffiths@wwf.org.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