Project Update: Spring 2002
Reflections of a Rural Liaison Officer
Article by Geoff Tonkin - RLO in the Central West
As the Grassy Box Woodland project draws to a close at the end of this year I think back, somewhat modestly, but with some satisfaction on what the project has achieved.
One of the stated aims of the project was to raise awareness of the plight of our Grassy Box woodlands and to offer small incentives to encourage their protection.
With three landholders appointed as part time RLOs to cover N.S.W and some excellent guidance from project managers, Community Solutions, I believe much has been achieved from a very modest budget. In the Central West, over 30 sites were funded in the first three years of the project and another 12 applicants are being considered for funding this year. The constant feedback I receive from fellow landholders is that they know their Grassy Box remnants are in trouble and they wish they could do more on their place to help conserve them. My only hope is that under the yet to be finalised NHT 2, some other project will take up the cause so that all our work won't be lost.
On a more personal level I have seen a huge range of Grassy Box remnants all over the central west of NSW - from the most degraded to almost pristine - and I am confident that with the will, and good support, many of these sites can be retrieved to offer both conservation and some production outcomes.
 Let us hope that those responsible for allocating NHT 2 funding think so too.
Thinking bush lately?
Have a look at this new free magazine Thinking Bush. Sometimes confronting, surprising and challenging this is a thought provoking look at recent research into how we understand and manage vegetation in the landscape.
It is written for policy makers, extension people, practitioners, landholders, educatorsand researchers, and is a great way to catch up on cutting edge thinking and some practical advice on how to manage native vegetation.
Naturally, Thinking Bush is published by the Native Vegetation R&D Program at Land & Water Australia. Get a free copy from the distributor - CanPrint - on freecall 1800 776616, or download a copy directly from www.lwa.gov.au/downloads/PN020274.pdf.
You can also visit the Program website online at www.lwa.gov.au/nativevegetatio
Eastern Riverina Eco-Tour - Official Launch
Article by Ray Dowling - RLO in the south
August 15 of this year saw the opening of the Eastern Riverina Eco-Tour. The tour was launched by Ms Sussan Ley, Federal Member for Farrer, at the Birdlip Reserve, between Magoplah and The Rock.
The Eastern Riverina Eco-Tour is the result of a successful application to the Environmental Trust in 1999, and is designed to "provide a practical understanding of flora, fauna and ecosystems in a local environment, and examples of simple biodiversity enhancement practices that can be applied in our own backyard".
Across the Eastern Riverina, 10 sites of ecological significance were identified including wetlands, grassy box woodlands, high conservation value roadside remnant vegetation and traveling stock reserves. Many sites support endangered and threatened species, some sites are endangered and threatened themselves.
The Eastern Riverina Landcare Network and the Eastern Riverina Environmental Trust Working Group ran a bus trip after the Local Federal member, Sussan Ley, cut the ribbon to open the tour at Birdlip. Due to the time and distance involved, the tour took in 6 of the 10 sites, starting at Birdlip and finishing at the Henty Nature Reserve.
Community Solutions is very pleased to have been associated with funding for two of the sites included in this initiative. Both the Birdlip Reserve, and the Mundawaderry Cemetery, show good examples of the Grassy Box Woodlands that once covered much of the western slopes of NSW.
The Birdlip Reserve features Kangaroo, Wallaby, Snow and Red Grasses, with various Daisies, Lilies and Orchids. The trees are mainly White Box with Yellow Box and Blakleys Red gum and several acacia (Wattle) species. Birdlip is located approx 10km south east of The Rock on the Mangoplah Rd. The reserve is now managed by the Mangopalah Landcare Group.
The Mundawaddery Cemetery is also a Box Woodland area, and although the trees have been cleared, both the grass and forb species remain. The rare Dookie Daisy is found in this site. Alongside the cemetery the road reserve contains Grey and White box trees and a great cover of smaller shrubs, grasses and forbs. Alongside the cemetery is a reserve leased and managed by the Male family which completes the three differing types of Box Woodland found in this part of the Riverina. Mundawaddery Cemetery is located approximately 4km East of Pleasant Hills on the Henty Rd. This Cemetery is managed by the Alma Park / Pleasant Hills Landcare Group.
Many Thanks to Kylie Murray coordinator Eastern Riverina Landcare Network and the Shire Councils of Lockhart and Culcairn, for their support.
Left to right. Mayor of Lockhart shire; Lee O’Brien, Chair Riverina Catchment Board; Anthony Male, Alma Park / Pleasant Hills Landcare Group; Ms Sussan Ley, Federal Member for Farrer; Bruce Jaeger, Mangopalah Landcare Group; Kylie Murray, Landcare Coordinator Henty.
More from the Local Solutions conference
Article by Toni McLeish - RLO in the north
Fifty six people attended the Local Solutions for Local Issues Conference held in mid-May. During the Conference, workshop groups explored solutions for local issues impacting on Grassy Box Woodlands in the region.
Site 1: Small Grassy Box Woodland, not fenced, in the centre of a farming enterprise, connected to a water way.
Issues:
Isolation, limited genetic and species biodiversity
Spray drift
Changed nutrient status from fertiliser
Dieback, lack of tree regeneration
Edge effect; weeds, feral animals, exposure
Solutions:
Education, flora and fauna benefits to the farming enterprise
Farm plan and site management plan
Increase size, fence
Fence and regenerate the water way to form a corridor
Buffer zone planting around the site to reduce edge effect
Site 2: Grassy Box Woodland within a town boundary. No timber litter on the ground, vehicle tracks throughout, a few piles of household rubbish, including garden clippings.
Issues:
Weed introduction from clipping and vehicles
Fire wood collection reducing habitat
Garbage threat to fauna and unsightly
Isolated, edge effect, urban development
Soil compaction on tracks and erosion
Solutions:
Community involvement / local control authority
Education, publicity, exposure
Management plan
Explore funding options
Restrict access (fence, signs, penalty)
Site 3: High conservation value (HCV) Grassy Box Woodland on a TSR with perennial weed along roadsides and drainage lines into the woodland, a few understory shrubs, many cypress seedlings on some areas.
Issues
Aggressive perennial weed spreading through woodland reducing biodiversity and habitat value
Cypress regrowth also reducing biodiversity by out-competing groundcover species
Solutions
Establish ownership/ groups responsible for management
Feasibility – is the problem manageable on this site?
Recognition as a HCV site
Management plan for road side and TSR
Weed control, spraying and regeneration of native species
Cypress management to improve biodiversity (thinning)
Site 4: on a cattle property, previously ring barked Grassy Box Woodland, no grass cover, thick even aged regrowth of box trees. Positioned high on the slope but soil is deep and rich.
Issues
Dense even aged trees, guesstimate 100/hectare
Soil protected by litter only, erosion could be a concern
Limited biodiversity
Limited habitat value for some fauna species (birds & reptiles)
Worthless for grazing/cropping
Trees too small for fire wood
Solutions
Thin trees to 20 –30/ hectare
Manage for several age classes of trees
Improve grass cover and biodiversity of ground cover species
Increase variety of habitat
Environmental sustainability
Economic sustainability
Site 5: wool growing property previously ring barked Grassy Box Woodland, native grass cover thick, dominant grass species wire grass, remaining trees very old, no timber litter on the ground, some annual weeds.
Issues
Lack of understory
Annual weeds
Undesirable grass species/ desirable species eaten out
Even age old trees
Habitat removal no litter on ground
Reduced nutrient cycling by stick picking, soil structure decline
Possible compaction and erosion concerns
Solutions
Management plan for production and conservation outcomes
Fencing into smaller management units/ rotational grazing to allow rest & regeneration of a diversity of ground cover species, and trees.
Manage for several age classes of trees.
Native grasses will out-compete weeds
Leave timber litter on the ground
Increase biodiversity and habitat
Site 6: a public reserve on Crown land, high conservation value (HCV) Grassy Box Woodland, tourist destination, bird watching, bush walking, picnicking, camping.
Issues
Removal of habitat as fire wood
Rubbish dumping/ablutions
Vehicle/pedestrian access
Disturbance/ pets/ weeds
Fire, water quality
Solutions
Management plan
Education – signage (HCV), NO pets; firewood collection; rubbish dumping, or no vehicles past this point & camping in designated area only.
Or Entry Fee to cover cost of garbage bins/ toilets
Limit numbers by permits and access by physical barriers
Provide firewood
Having a diverse group of participants meant we all learned a lot from each other during these sessions. The overriding theme that came through on presentation of these reports to the whole group was a need to monitor the effect of the changes in management allowing us to evaluate if we are achieving what we set out to achieve.
Monitoring Mates: an opportunity for you? North West slopes and tablelands
Would you enjoy spending a couple of hours looking closely at a patch of bushland, finding wildflowers and native grasses, taking photos, perhaps looking for birds or signs of other wildlife? Would you enjoy making a new friend who shares your love of nature, learning from their experience, and together recording what you see? Would you enjoy getting together again next year to see what has changed – how young trees grew, if bare patches regenerated, weeds came or died, or new birds appeared?
Greening Australia is starting a Monitoring Mates program in the Armidale and Tamworth districts to help landholders monitor their bushland or revegetation area. Monitoring enables landholders who are managing a remnant of native vegetation or planting wildlife corridors to observe changes, learn whether they are achieving their objectives and adapt their management. A booklet showing simple methods of monitoring is available, but getting started alone could be a little daunting to some landholders. Some training days are planned, together with a Monitoring Mates program for those who would like someone to help.
Amateur naturalists are wanted as helpers – you don’t need to have any expertise, just a love of the bush and willingness to look, learn and help. Interested people from Armidale, Tamworth or surrounding districts, including members of the National Parks Association, Birds Australia, Australian Plants Society, WIRES and Citizens Wildlife Corridors, are invited to volunteer as Monitoring Mates.
For more information contact:
Kate Boyd, Bushcare Support Manager Greening Australia,
PO Box 1467, ARMIDALE 2350
Phone 6772 3248 Fax No. 6771 4094
Email Q&A on Grassy Box Woodland issues - if you would like to be part, please contact Geoff Tonkin
Getting Information
Rural Liaison Officers (RLOs)
Toni McLeish
“Kurrajong Hills”
Upper Manilla NSW 2346
Ph/fax 02-6785 6504
email: tmcleish@tpg.com.au
Geoff Tonkin
“Murrabar”
Cumnock NSW 2867
Ph 02-6367 7226
Fax 02-6367 7035
email: geoff.tonkin@bigpond.com
Ray Dowling
“Braeburn”
Murringo via Young NSW 2594
Ph 02-6384 6319
email: rayd@hn.ozemail.com.au
Team Leaders for the Rural Liaison Program
Jane Elix & Judy Lambert
Community Solutions
179 Sydney Road
Fairlight NSW 2094
ph/fax 02-9948 7862
or 02-9332 3913
email: inquiries@communitysolutions.com.au
and
Heather Pearce: ph/fax (02) 9818 2684 and email: heather@sydney.net
NPWS Contact
Lorraine Oliver
P O Box 2115
Queanbeyan NSW 2620
Ph 02-6298 9709
lorraine.oliver@npws.nsw.gov.au
This project is funded by the Natural Heritage Trust
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