The Bendigo Forest Management Area FS0075 Mary Camilleri ISSN 1440-2262
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May 2006 The Bendigo Forest Management Area FS0075 Mary Camilleri ISSN 1440-2262 The Bendigo Forest Management Area (FMA) extends estimated 111,100 ha now set aside as State Forest. from St Arnaud in the west to Rushworth in the east, and Approximately 61% of this land or 67,300 ha is deemed to from Wedderburn and Elmore in the north to Clunes and be suitable for timber harvesting operations. Kyneton in the south. These forests have been an important resource for Victoria, and are unique and readily Box-Ironbark (BIB) forest is the main forest type of the accessible. Visitors can enjoy both the natural and Bendigo FMA. The Box-Ironbark region forms a belt of historical features of the forests. dry forests, extending into NSW and QLD. These forests have been extensively cleared and fragmented for Our Box-Ironbark forests tell a fascinating story of change goldmining, agriculture, urban development and wood and survival. How you use the forest today will shape our products. Today only 17% of the original BIB vegetation forests future. How will you help shape the next chapter? remains. # State Forests Mildura # Victoria's Box-Ironbark Region State Forests are managed by the Department of Robinvale Swan Hill Sustainability and Environment (DSE) to recognise the # many roles our forests play: Echuca # # Shepparton Wodonga # In protecting biodiversity and nature conservation Benalla # Wangaratta Horsham # # Bendigo Euroa # # In protecting water catchments Maryborough # Ararat Alexandra In conserving historic and cultural values # # Ballarat Hamilton # In recreation and ecotourism # Melbourne # Orbost # Bairnsdale # # # Dandenong Geelong # Lakes Entrance # Moe As sources of timber and non-timber products (such as # # Traralgon Portland Colac # # # # # Warragul honey, stone and gravel) Warrnambool Yarram # As a generator of employment in many rural communities As carbon sinks. Large-scale landclearing in the 1800's in Victoria saw the History establishment of State Forests to ensure timber supply for The original inhabitants of the Bendigo FMA were Jaara the mining industry (1869). State Forests have been Jaara clans, speaking the Djadjawurrung language. Forests managed by a number of Government Agencies over the provided aboriginal people with shade, shelter, tools and years, including the Forestry Commission and more food. Indigenous people lived a hunter and gatherer life recently, the Department of Sustainability and and respected the environment around them - nothing was Environment. ever wasted or over utilised. During 2002 the Environment Conservation Council The arrival of European settlers was marked by the carried out an investigation on Box-ironbark Forests and beginning of large scale land clearing for extensive grazing Woodlands, which resulted in the re-classification of areas leases. The subsequent discovery of gold in 1851 set in of State Forest. The Bendigo FMA now consists of a motion more dramatic long term changes to our forests. mixture of State Forests, Regional Parks, National Parks and Nature Conservation Reserves. Original stands of Box-Ironbark were utilised to provide timber and fuel for the mining industry and associated Victoria's Forest Management Areas settlements and forested land was cleared for further agricultural use. Additional demand in the 1890s for Mildura railway sleepers and heavy construction timbers across Victoria put additional demand on the forest. By this time Mid Murray the need for proper management of the diminished forest Horsham North-East Bendigo Benalla- Mansfield estate was becoming apparent. This saw the creation of the Central Forests Commission, which quickly put in place forest Midlands Tambo Portland Dandenong East Gippsland utilisation controls based on scientific forest management Central Gippsland Otway practices. The Bendigo Forest Management Area encompasses some During the 1940s extensive areas of forest were thinned 1.9 million hectares of public and private land, with an and improved by unemployed workers and prisoners of © State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment 2006 Page 1 Bendigo Forest Management Area FS0075 war. Large areas by this time were also harvested for As can be expected, BIB forests support a diverse range of firewood and charcoal production to sustain domestic fauna species, including mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs industries, largely starved of coal and liquid fuel due to the - many of which are now classified as threatened. Some demands of war. As a consequence of the utilisation of the animals live permanently in a particular area, whilst others forest, the box-ironbark forests have been cut several times migrate at certain times of the year. over. However through careful management, the forests continue to be a source of durable timbers, honey, gold and Enjoy the sights and sounds of kangaroos/wallabies extractive materials. bounding through the forest, kookaburra's laughing in the trees, gliders/possums swinging through the trees, and wedge-tailed eagles and kites soaring above. The endearing Echidna can also be seen trundling from one ant-nest to the other for a quick snack. Or even visit the forest at night when the gliders, possums and bats come out to play! Echidna Goulds Wattle Bat DSE, Ouroumis) (DSE, McCann) Flora and Fauna The word 'Bat' may conjure up images of horror movies The Box-Ironbark (BIB) ecosystem represents a precious but Australian bats are insectivorous and play an important and unique environment that provides habitat to numerous role in reducing insect numbers, seed spread and native plants and animals. The Box-Ironbark Ecological pollination of many native plants. They are widespread Vegetation Class (EVC) occupies approximately 70% of throughout the Box-Ironbark region. the Bendigo FMA. There are 20 other EVC's that occur on State Forest, including small areas of: Heathy Dry Forest, At least four threatened mammals species are known to Grassy Woodland, Sandstone Ridge Shrubland, Grassy occur in State Forests in the Bendigo FMA. These include Dry Forest and Valley Grassy Forest. Many of these the Squirrel Glider, Brush-tailed Phascogale and the fat- smaller EVC's have been largely cleared for agriculture tailed and common dunnarts. and are now rare and endangered - where practical, these areas have been included in Special Protection Zones. The main tree species within the box-ironbark forest are Red Ironbark (Eucalyptus. tricarpa), Grey Box (E. microcarpa), Yellow Gum (E. leucoxylon), Red Box (E. Brush-tailed Phascogale polyanthemos), Yellow Box (E. melliodora), Long Leaf (DSE, Stimpson) Box (E. goniocalyx), and Red Stringybark (E. macrorhyncha). A notable characteristic of BIB forests is the large amounts of nectar they produce. A diverse range of wildflowers, shrubs and grasses are also found carpeting the forests. Fat-tailed Dunnart DSE, McCann) Sugar Glider (DSE, Stimpson) The floral diversity of BIB forests attracts a number of rare birds, including the Swift Parrot, an autumn/winter migrant from Tasmania and one of Australia’s most endangered birds. The Painted Honeyeater and the Bush Stone-curlew have also been found to frequent these forests. Wax Flower Spider Orchid Swamp Diuris (DSE, Stimpson) (DSE, Stimpson) (DSE/Stimpson) The biggest and most mysterious of our owls - the Powerful Owl, can be seen roosting with the remains of Visit the forests during Spring and Summer and enjoy the prey clutched in its sharp talons. Other birds seen overhead vast array of wildflowers. 33 threatened flora species are include the Square-tailed kite, the Black Falcon, the Grey known to occur in State Forests throughout the Bendigo Goshawk as well as a number of threatened woodland FMA, including the Crimson Spider Orchid, Lowly species (such as the Brown Treecreeper, Black-chinned Greenhood Orchid and Silky Glycine. Also look for honeyeater, the Speckled Warbler, and the Hooded Robin). stunning understorey species such as: wattles, grevilleas, There are also numerous beautiful but more common bird heaths, lilies, bush-peas, mint bushes and wax flowers just species throughout the forests, such as galahs, lorikeets, to name a few! fairy wrens, magpies etc. © State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment 2006 Page 2 Bendigo Forest Management Area FS0075 Activities to enjoy in the State Forest • Get active! Walk along one of the tracks around the Basin, ride your horse or bike along the bush roads and appreciate the beauty of the forest. Be sure to stay on formed roads when riding. • Find a nice spot to relax, camp or have a picnic, Musk Lorikeet Black Wallaby Powerful Owl remember to look after the forest by taking your Reptiles (DSE) are well represented ( (DSE, acrossMcCann) the Bendigo (Drummond) FMA. rubbish home with you. • Take your dog for a walk. Making sure your dog is Threatened species include the Tree Goanna, the Bandy under control at all times. Bandy and the rarely seen Woodland Blind Snake. More • Try your luck by fossicking or prospecting with a commonly you may see species such as the Shingleback or current Miner's Right. Remember any holes created by Stumpy-tailed Lizards, Bearded Dragons, Blue-tongue prospecting must be filled in. Lizards and many species from the Skink family. Less • Enjoy a car or motorbike tour of the forest, exploring popular but still a necessary part of the ecology is the the extensive road network. Make sure you are Eastern Brown Snake. Reptiles are seen more often in the licensed and registered and always stay on formed warmer months and care should always be exercised when roads. walking through bushy and grassy areas. • Test your hunting skills with licensed firearms and protect the forest from pest animals such as foxes and rabbits. • Explore and search the forest for clues that give us evidence from the past – remember to leave Stunpy-tailed lizard Skink Woodland Blind Snake everything as you found it. (DSE, Camilleri) (DSE, Camilleri) (DSE/McCann) Lets look after our living museum! For more information on flora and fauna species go to: • All native plants, animals, historic sites and http://www.dse.vic.gov.au geographical features are protected by law.