BUSH

In this issue HERITAGE 4 Mosaic burning research 5 Reserve scorecards 8 Songs of the bush 10 Support behind Caring for Country NEWS 12 Visiting Bush Heritage reserves Autumn 2014 · www.bushheritage.org.au

Managing a summer scorcher Prescribed burning on Carnarvon Station Reserve, Qld. Photograph by Emma Burgess

Bushfires during the long hot summer Working around the clock they carried Some, such as the northern quoll, are are an expected part of land management out back burns and upgraded firebreaks nationally threatened and sensitive to fires in . This summer, on Carnarvon to contain the spreading flames. that could remove their shelter of low shrubs Station Reserve in Queensland, wildfires and fallen logs, as well as interrupt their “As the weather conditions are so intense, burnt for several weeks. Changing climatic food supply. back burns have to start at midnight with conditions are making fire planning and teams working through until the early Continued on page 3 preparation, to handle such events, more hours,” says Executive Manager North, important than ever. Rob Murphy, who fills us in while Chris When dry storms and lightning strikes led has a much-deserved rest. “Those are the to wildfire on Carnarvon Station Reserve, coolest times and therefore the safest and Manager Chris Wilson sprang into action, most effective times to burn.” “At Carnarvon we’ve had fires joining colleagues, members of the Rural Carnarvon Station abuts Queensland’s Fire Brigade, neighbours and teams from on every point of the compass spectacular Carnarvon National Park. adjacent National Parks to deal with it. – north, south, east, west – The reserve’s sandstone hills, narrow valley The fire started in grasslands, and was soon floors and high escarpments create a dramatic over the past month.” crowning (burning up into tree canopies) setting that’s home to hundreds of animal Rob Murphy, Executive Manager North, to the south of the reserve. and plant species. Carnarvon Station Reserve Right: Woodlands, Carnarvon Station Reserve. Photograph by Cathy Zwick Below: Gerard O’Neill, CEO. Photograph by Peter Morris

From the CEO Who we are Bush Heritage Australia is a leading conservation organisation, protecting millions of hectares of Out on the reserves fire always plays a role The escarpment is home to the white-throated ecologically important land for the over the warmer months, especially in the grasswren, short-eared rock wallaby, black benefit of nature and all Australians. south. So far our preparation and planned wallaroo, giant cave geckos and diadem burning strategies are working. The expertise horseshoe bats along with many endemic Why we’re successful of our Reserve Managers and science staff or vulnerable threatened species. Feral cats It’s our way of working that makes has either extinguished bushfires or used fire and unplanned fires are key issues. Bush Heritage Australia so successful to enhance ecological conditions for priority We are working with the Warddeken traditional – and makes us optimistic that we can habitats and species. owner group and others such as The Nature expand our great conservation work This is skilled work requiring a strong Conservancy, The Pew Environment Group, to meet the challenges ahead: commitment to safety. We specialise in Northern Territory Government, NAILSMA • We pursue non-confrontational, working with volunteer fire services, station and Karrkad Kanjdji Trust, among others, pragmatic solutions to conservation owners, and traditional owners to get the to secure this priceless heritage. challenges. best possible outcome from any fire situation. Another partnership with Balkanu Land • We work closely with our neighbours Our responses to wildfires usually involve Development Corporation on Cape York is and local communities to share the working closely with neighbours. Chris Wilson, featured, alongside the Warddeken agreement, outcomes and knowledge gained Reserve Manager at Carnarvon and Thornton on page 10. These are among 11 established for the benefit of all. Kerr, Field Officer, have been tackling a or emerging partnerships with Aboriginal • Everything we do is built on number of fires with Queensland Parks people across the country. good science – aided by our staff and Wildlife Rangers and Station Managers. ecologists and science partners. Working together in this way is vital in order Fires have burnt for nearly a month in the • We have more than 20,000 (and to be relevant and influential in the great hills, though recent rains are helping suppress growing) committed supporters challenges of protecting Australia’s priceless their intensity and we expect a good result. who enable us to work on a scale natural heritage. that matters and to implement Such collaborations, whether written down All this, of course, is not possible without solutions that endure. or sealed with a handshake are part of the your support. Through you we are making way we operate. By working together, we are • We partner with Aboriginal a difference and I see that in the ‘reserve building conservation into communities as communities, other land owners, scorecards’ we produce to report on ecological a natural part of the Australian landscape. non-profits, businesses and conditions. They provide a great insight into governments, because we know Speaking of partnerships, I am pleased our work. However, as Chris Wilson and the that by working together we can to say we have extended a key partnership team know, we have to be vigilant. The next achieve so much more. with the Warddeken Aboriginal Land challenge may be just over the hill. • We invest in the land, in our Management in west Arnhem Land recently. partnerships and in our growing The agreement sees us supporting conservation number of supporters. Our mission work on the Arnhem Land plateau. is for the benefit of all Australians, Cheers, forever. Gerard O’Neill, CEO

2 Bush Heritage News | Autumn 2014 Left: Sunset, Carnarvon Station Reserve. Photograph by Wayne Lawler / Ecopix Below: The threatened northern quoll is sensitive to fires. Photograph by Jean-Paul Ferrero

Continued from cover “We burn when there’s good soil moisture, At the time of writing some significant recent low temperatures and higher humidity,” rains had fallen and it looks like we’ve avoided Planning for wildfires says Rob. “This enables us to create a mosaic any significant damage to the ecology on So far the intensity of the main blaze has been effect with various burn histories and reduced the reserve. reduced by patches of land with recent burn fuel loads that can help to slow and decrease “There are no guarantees with any fire. histories – including some burnt in a similar the intensity of any wildfire that does alight You need a bit of luck as well as careful 2013 wildfire – which wouldn’t easily burn through there again. planning,” says Rob. “But these wildfire again. As Ecologist Murray Haseler explains, The cooler months are also a time for events have become more frequent and evaluations of the 2013 fire confirmed that preparing and maintaining firebreaks and intense over the past ten years, so we really our best defence is a mosaic of controlled access roads, and ensuring equipment and need to make sure we’re as well prepared burns conducted over many years. safety plans are up-to-date in preparation and resourced as we can be.” “These strategically reduce fuel in priority for what can be long episodes working with Carnarvon Station Reserve was acquired in 2001 areas, and greatly reduce the impact of wildfires over summer. with the assistance of the Australian Government’s unplanned fires,” he says. National Reserve System program. A 2013 report by the recently formed Climate Like any reserve, Carnarvon has a diversity Council (formerly the Climate Commission) of vegetation types, which all respond titled Be Prepared: Climate Change and the differently to fire and climatic conditions. Australian Bushfire Threat, outlines some of Careful planning goes into recording rainfall the factors working against land managers. and temperature, monitoring vegetation It reports that climate change is making growth and mapping the fire history of the hot days hotter and heatwaves longer and area to feed into controlled burn planning. more frequent, reducing the opportunity for controlled burns. “Fire sensitive vegetation, such as brigalow, vine scrub, belah and lancewood, mostly The report suggests that Australia will occurs in small patches, often within natural experience an increase in the number of days fire barriers, such as rocky areas,” explains with extreme fire ratings and that prescribed Murray. “Their dense canopies provide some burning activities in some areas will need protection by naturally preventing the growth to increase two- to three-fold to counteract of ground-level fuel.” increased fire activity. “It’s the open grasslands and grassy woodlands “At Carnarvon we’ve had fires on every point that need to be most intensely managed by of the compass – north, south, east, west – We couldn’t do it without you controlled burns,” he says. “They also have over the past month,” says Rob. “There have Being adequately prepared for ongoing the highest density and diversity of small been more lightning strikes since the first, fire management is an expensive mammals that respond to changes in rainfall, and fires are burning in the neighbouring but essential part of managing your temperature and vegetation. Controlled properties and the National Park, so we’re reserves. That’s why we continue to burning removes cover and biomass (grass), helping out with those too.” need your support – donate today: meaning the animals must move to find “Carnarvon is quite amazing country”, he adds. www.bushheritage.org.au/donate food and shelter. However, cool burns also “It’s very rugged and broken, which means it’s promote growth so they return following Above: A dingo pup hunts crickets after fairly inaccessible. When fire gets up into the a controlled burn. increases in edible biomass.” high country it can kick around for weeks Photograph by Emma Burgess on end.

Bush Heritage News | Autumn 2014 3 Left: The black-chinned honeyeater has been found in declining numbers on Carnarvon Station. Photograph by Wayne Lawler / Ecopix Below: Emma Burgess at Carnarvon Station Reserve. Photograph by Donna Oliver

Mosaic burning research

Through the support of a Bush Heritage The idea that pyro diversity (creating patches AndyInc Foundation Environmental with different fire histories) should support Research Scholarship, Emma Burgess has biodiversity has a simple appeal, but to been investigating the ecological effects date my results suggest long unburnt areas of mosaic burning at Carnarvon Station still support the greatest diversity of plants as part of her PhD studies. – particularly in the mid-storey strata – which in turn support the greatest diversity In 2011 I was lucky enough to receive of bird species. scholarship funding to conduct some fire management research that would contribute However, conducting regular controlled to Bush Heritage’s work. Since then I’ve burns in strategic areas actually helps spent several extended periods on Carnarvon to preserve such long unburnt habitats. Station Reserve, staying with the Wilson Planned burns work to reduce the extent family who manage the property. of individual wildfires, the completeness of their burn area and their intensity. Their home on the reserve is in a beautiful elevated valley in the Carnarvon Ranges “Conducting regular controlled of the central Queensland sandstone belt. Climbing up one of the many lookouts you burns in strategic areas can really appreciate the range in altitude actually helps to preserve that supports a diverse array of ecosystems. long unburnt habitats.” My research involved both vegetation Emma Burgess and bird surveys, predominantly in the The next steps in this research will lowland woodlands of the valley floor. Walks in Nature Giveaway be examining the different impacts of The aim was to better understand and various sized fires on bird species so we A beautiful new guidebook has just be able to predict biodiversity responses can start to identify the optimal scale been released as part of the Explore to fire management work. for fire management work. Australia series, and 10% of profits Controlled burns (or mosaic burns) have go to supporting our work – thanks I’m very much indebted to Bush Heritage been frequently used as a land management to Anna Carlile from Viola Design. for enabling this research and to staff for tool in fire-prone ecosystems since well before backing me up with their local knowledge To celebrate the launch we have five European settlement. This approach has and mechanical wizardry. Fieldwork in copies to give away to supporters. been used on Carnarvon Station since 2001, such a remote and rugged area always has to reduce the spread of wildfires and restore For a chance to win, visit our its challenges! variation in vegetation structure. Facebook page and tell us about The AndyInc Foundation was established in 2002 by your favourite walk or the place Bush Heritage board member Andrew Myer. It provides you feel most connected to nature. strategic investments in community organisations and its focus includes environmental sustainability.

4 Bush Heritage News | Autumn 2014 Reserve scorecards

We evaluate the progress of our The first five years of environmental work based on an open management on Edgbaston standard developed by The Conservation Measures Partnership – a collective have focused on preventing comprising international environmental the extinction of the groups such as the World Wildlife Fund Red-finned Blue-eye. (WWF) and The Nature Conservancy. As part of the best practice process we’ve Edgbaston, Qld adopted, periodic ‘reserve scorecards’ are The first five years of management on produced, summarising each reserve’s Edgbaston have focused on preventing condition based on an ecological review. the extinction of the red-finned blue-eye. These are conducted every five years on To date we have successfully increased the a staggered timescale. number of red-finned blue-eye occupied The two most recent evaluations were springs on Edgbaston from four to six of our Carnarvon Station and Edgbaston through relocation trials and eradication Reserves in Queensland. Although these of the invasive mosquito fish. We will need reports demonstrate that there are still to continue this work, as well as begin plenty of challenges ahead, the news so captive breeding programs, to ensure the far is generally good. survival of the species. Carnarvon Station, Qld The endemic plants, Eriocaulon aloefolium and E. giganteum are both persisting, with The condition of most key conservation small increases in the former and decreases targets, particularly the lowland grasslands, in the latter. Total ground cover and cover of grassy woodlands and springs, have improved perennial grasses has generally increased due or remained stable since Bush Heritage to increased rainfall, removal of livestock and bought this property. pig control. However, this was accompanied The threat of livestock, cultivation and clearing by increases in buffel grass, which presents has been removed, feral herbivore grazing has an ongoing management challenge. Top of page: The view from the high country been reduced, and fire management promotes on Carnarvon. a mosaic of fire-age classes and mitigates the Photograph by Wayne Lawler / Ecopix intensity and extent of bushfires. Nonetheless, Above top: Freshwater Ecologist Adam Kerezsy Find out more many brigalow patches were burnt in 2013 amongst the water springs on Edgbaston. Photograph by Alison Wheeler reducing condition (at least temporarily) Read the full report: www.bushheritage. Above centre: The endangered red-finned blue-eye. and increasing susceptibility to buffel Photograph by Adam Kerezsy org.au/reports grass infestation. Weeds continue to pose Above bottom: Netted gambusia (mosquito fish). a challenge, especially after recent wet years. Photograph by Adam Kerezsy

Bush Heritage News | Autumn 2014 5 Around the reserves in 90 days Your support makes a difference in so many ways. We take a look at what’s been happening on our reserves around Australia – all made possible thanks to you.

Darwin Warddeken

Wunambal Gaambera Northern Territory We’ve reached agreements to extend our partnership with the Wardekken people in the West Arnhem Plateau, and the Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation, Queensland for five years. See page 10 for more about what this means for conservation in Northern Australia.

Western Australia Summer fires touched our after a lightning strike on the remote boundary at the end of a particularly sweltering week. Thankfully it burnt away from the reserve Eurardy and only a relatively small 80 hectares in adjacent crown lands were affected.

Recent animal surveys in the Fitz-Stirling ranges area have Charles Darwin uncovered two carpet pythons (Western Australia listed threatened species), and we recorded the first local sighting Perth

of the crested shrike-tit (a priority-listed bird in Western Kojonup Monjebup North Australia). In habitat revegetated just two years ago on Beringa Monjebup North, honey possums were found – a great Yarabee Wesfarmers Chingarrup indicator of bushland health! Gondwana Link Honey possums, Eurardy Reserve. Photograph by Reg Morrison

South Australia Mapping rabbit warrens has been a focus on Bon Bon Station Reserve, under a project funded by South Australian Native Vegetation Council. Rabbits are the only feral herbivore on the property and represent one of the biggest threats to the biodiversity.

Rabbit warren, . Photograph by Bronwen Willis

Capital city

Bush Heritage reserve Bush Heritage reserve actively engaged with traditional owners Bush Heritage partnership

6 Bush Heritage News | Autumn 2014 Queensland After five years on the property Reserve Managers Paul and Leanne Hales celebrated their first sighting of a red goshawk (probably Australia’s rarest bird of prey) on Yourka Reserve.

Cape York ‘Reserve scorecards’, which summarise ecological conditions every five years, have been completed for our Carnarvon Station and Edgbaston Reserves. Fan Palm Read the full reports at: www.bushheritage.org.au/reports

Yourka Red goshawk, Yourka Reserve. Photograph by David Baker-Gabb

Cravens Peak Edgbaston

Ethabuka Goonderoo

Carnarvon Station Reedy Creek

Brisbane

Currumbin Valley Naree Station Bon Bon Station

Boolcoomatta

Canberra New South Wales Sydney Tarcutta The NSW government has recognised the value of our work Hills Adelaide Nardoo Hills as part of the Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach Scottsdale Kosciuszko to Coast improving fish habitat and river health. They’ve provided John Colahan Brogo a grant to support volunteers working on willow control in Griffin priority areas, including , describing it as a ‘wise investment’ in the health of the river. Melbourne

Tasmanian Midlands Victoria

Hobart Melbourne Birding Tours will soon be offering personalised guided birding tours of our Nardoo Hills Reserve. For more opportunities to experience our reserves first hand, see page 12.

Tasmania The endangered Tunbridge Buttercup has been recently discovered on a property involved with our Tasmanian Midlandscapes Project. This perennial mat-forming herb with brilliant yellow flowers is endemic to Tassie and grows on the margins of wetlands. Its major threats are land-clearing and over-grazing by sheep, and it’s been previously recorded at only seven sites in Tasmania.

Tunbridge Buttercup, Tasmanian Midlands Partnership. Photograph by Matt Appleby

Bush Heritage News | Autumn 2014 7 Songs of thee Bush John Hutchinson Long-term supporter

Meet one of our long-term supporters, To pursue his other love, classical music, Having stumbled quite accidentally across John Hutchinson, whose early interest in John decided to pack up his state-of-the-art what he now calls his life’s work, John has electronics and his love of the Australian bush recorder and head to Bunbury. Here he spent spent close to 60 years criss-crossing the has led him to create the world’s pre-eminent seven years both performing and recording outback in pursuit of the most beautiful collection of Western Australian bird songs. classical music, enabling him to indulge and elusive songs. simultaneously in two of his grand passions. For over 50 years John Hutchinson has At times he has gone to extraordinary cut a solitary figure, traversing vast tracts “Then I joined the Department of Agriculture lengths (including ‘staking out’ a single of Western Australia in pursuit of what he doing noxious weed control and was posted to rufous whistler for days on end) to amass calls his life’s work. the town of Carnarvon in Western Australia,” over 300 tapes – and what is now regarded says John. “I was made responsible for a as the world’s pre-eminent collection of John’s grand passion – his raison d’être – huge area including the Kimberleys and the Western Australian bird songs. is capturing the extraordinary range of region now known as the Pilbara. I was in my Western Australian bird songs, and it has John doesn’t hesitate to name his favourite element, traversing that huge region with all earned him an international reputation. bird. “The sandstone thrush in the Kimberleys,” its wildlife. Of course I took my recorder with he says. “It’s a magnificent songster and two John says his love of birds, and the Australian me and operated it from the car battery.” or more will get together and sing duets bush, harks back to his childhood growing Finding himself now far removed from his and it’s just superb.” up in Wyalkatchem, a town about 200 km beloved classical music, John began looking north-east of Perth. “I was in the bush a lot for something else to record. It didn’t take “It’s a magnificent songster from an early age,” says John. “The Jarrah him long to discover the captivating sounds forest then had big, shady trees and there (the sandstone thrush). Two or and rhythms of Aboriginal corroboree was wildlife all around you – almost within more will get together and sing music. Working with several tribes, including touching distance.” the Waroora and Wunambal people (Bush duets and it’s just superb.” John’s other early passions included classical Heritage also has a long-standing relationship John Hutchinson music and electronics, in particular early tape with the Wunambal Gaambera people Of course, recordings of such significance recorders. In 1953, after pouring over issues in the Kimberley) John made dozens of cannot remain on old tapes forever. After of Radio and Hobbies magazine, he decided original recordings. investigating his options both here and he would build his own. However, as many Aboriginals across the overseas, the good news is that John’s entire The resulting machine was a masterpiece of region began dispersing to cities, towns and bird songs collection is being copied and early engineering incorporating not just a settlements, it become harder and harder digitised by the State Library of Western tape recorder, but also a turntable with two for John to find any corroborees to record. Australia, where it will be held in perpetuity. arms that played and cut records, and a radio. In need of a new recording passion, the next John Hutchinson has spent more time in the Hailed by his contemporaries as the most sound to catch John’s ear was the symphony bush than most Australians are ever likely to. comprehensive machine of its time in Australia, of native bird song surrounding him. Over the course of his life he’s seen a lot of this early ‘radiogram’ still works today. change – none of it good he says.

8 Bush Heritage News | Autumn 2014 Far left: A male rufous whistler. Photograph by Robert McLean Left: The sandstone thrush likes to sing duets with company. Photograph by Wayne Lawler Below: John’s invention incorporated a tape recorder, a radio and a turntable with two arms that both played and cut records. Photograph by Angie Smashnuk

Supporter surveys Bushiee blog launched

A big ‘Thank you’ tto the many thousands With the launch on our website of a new of you who took the time to respond to blogging platform you can now connect our supporter survey in January. directly with our staff out on the land. With your feedback we can communicate You will be able to access fresh posts from “When I was young the bush was ‘natural’. with you better and improve our service reserves of your choice and post questions It wasn’t as badly affected as it is today. to all our supporters. If you updated or comments directly to Ecologists and We’ve lost most of our real bush, and our your contact details or communication Reserve Managers about their work. wildlife, and what remains is mainly on preferences in your response, we’ll make private land.” sure these changes are made. You will be able to access fresh It was out of his own deep concern for the What you told us posts from reserves of your Australian bush and his admiration of Bob You told us that you share our values and choice and post questions or Brown’s vision in creating Bush Heritage that you like to know your support is comments directly to Ecologists that he decided many years ago to become making a tangible difference in conserving an ongoing supporter. “I’ve taken a keen and Reserve Managers about habitats and protecting biodiversity. interest in Bush Heritage because they’re their work. doing the sort of thing I support. They are We found plenty of you were willing trying to bring the wildlife back into the to recommend us to others and had no The blog will give you access to the bush – and they are trying to bring back complaints. Many were also interested latest news, notes and images as they’re the bush itself.” in visiting our reserves and seeing more recorded. Learn about projects in progress, opportunities to engage online. We’re With two records, four CDs, seven audio our connections with local communities, excited to say these are areas we have results from monitoring work and cassettes and two books under his belt, what been looking at for improvements too. lies ahead now for John Hutchinson? “I’m reflections about life on the land. planning a DVD on birds and wildflowers See opposite for the launch of our What changes do the seasons bring and I’m going to rewrite one of my books. Bushiee Blog anda the back page of this in different parts of the country? That should keep me busy for the time being.” newsletter for new and improved access Which animals are most prevalent? opportunities in 2014. As we continue to What’s in flower? collate all the feedback, we’ll be analysing how it can help us improve our work. You can follow us for specific types of Hear the updates and access the blog from your More details of the results are available dawn chorus phone for the latest information wherever online at www.bushheritage.org.au/survey Jump online to you are. experience the Above left: Ecologist Matt Appleby with a lizard early morning music of the bush. found on , WA. Photograph by Catherine Hunt John has graciously shared some Above right top: Science and Monitoring Manager fantastic recordings of the dawn Jim Radford with a dusky hopping mouse. Stay in touch chorus at various locations around Photograph by Peter Morris www.bushheritage.org. Australia: Above right bottom: Simon Smale, Gondwana au/blog or get updates www.bushheritage.org.au/ Link Landscape Manager and Ecologist via Facebook or Twitter. Angela Sanders at Monjebup Reserve, WA. dawn-chorus Photograph Jessica Wyld Photography

Bush Heritage News | Autumn 2014 9 Left: Flatback turtle hatchlings. Photograph by Jean-Paul Ferrero Below: Emma Ignjic (second from left) coaching Healthy Country Planning at a workshop in Coen, Cape York. Photograph by Ellie Austin Right: Naomi Hobson (second from left) and Joanne Omeenya (fourth from left) facilitate Healthy Country Planning with Umpila families. Photograph by Stuart Cowell

Support behind Caring for Country

Late at night the feral pigs appear, Since 2006, thanks to your generous support, snuffling and pawing at the pristine white Bush Heritage Australia has partnered with Warddeken Country sand on the beaches near Amban, Cape York. Balkanu to help fund strategic positions High up on the Northern Territory’s They come in search of buried treasure: in their Caring for Country Program and West Arnhem Plateau lies the ‘stone olive ridley and flatback turtle eggs that support indigenous communities on Cape country’ of the Warddeken people. are waiting patiently to hatch and whose York to implement Caring for Country numbers across the peninsula are being activities focused on conserving their Its heart-stopping escarpment and decimated by such predators. distinctive natural and cultural landscapes. rocky gorges encompass sandstone rainforests, mixed eucalyptus But on Amban beaches these pigs are Since working together we’ve helped the woodlands and floristically rich facing their last meal as rangers from the Balkanu Corporation meet one of its biggest sandstone heathlands, making it a nearby community of Aurukun conduct priorities: the addition of 50 new ranger home for threatened species such ‘ground truthing’ surveys of the turtle nests positions across Cape York. as the northern quoll, black wallaroo and distribute deadly grain that targets During the past six months, Bush Heritage and the Arnhem Land rock rat. such scavengers. The local program has has developed new partnership agreements dramatically reduced predation rates from Bush Heritage began working with with two of our key indigenous partners – 100% in 2012 to 23% last year. the Warddeken people in 2007 the Warddeken people of Western Arnhem after recognising the need for our This project is one of many indigenous Land and Balkanu, an Aboriginal owned organisation to move beyond the conservation initiatives supported by incorporated organisation for Cape York acquisition and restoration of land the Balkanu Cape York Development Peninsula. to the establishment of partnerships Corporation – an umbrella group working Through these partnerships and others that would help indigenous landowners on the Cape York Peninsula, a vast area across Australia, Bush Heritage has helped to manage estates that were often that covers 137 000 km2. Their community Aboriginal people to identify some of the vast, remote and rich in biodiversity. development work supports around 50 conservation threats they face on their estates, indigenous language groups to manage and For the Warddeken people, this plan their strategies, source federal funding, work on their traditional lands and seas. support helped lead to the declaration and develop some of the skills and resources of their almost 1.5 million hectare Cape York is also home to a mosaic of that they need for the long-term sustainability estate as an Indigenous Protected largely unspoiled ecosystems: from wetlands, of country. Area in 2009. monsoonal rivers, heath lands and dune fields But with recent agreements to extend these to extensive tropical savannah woodlands Now extended for a further five years, two partnerships for another five years we and the largest remaining tract of unlogged we hope our agreement will continue hope to achieve much more – and we couldn’t tropical rainforest on the continent. to support the conservation of this do it without your help. spectacular country.

10 Bush Heritage News | Autumn 2014 Thank you

Bush Heritage thanks the many supporters who have donated in honour of friends or family members. A small selection is below.

In memoriam Mrs Alison J Cox donated in memory of her mother Violet Southgate. Ms Heidi Samytowski remembered Rita Kerkman with a gift to Bush Heritage. Mrs Anne Marks donated in memory of her father, Charley Morris, who loved the bush. Mr Paul Sutton gave a gift in memory of his Mum, Mary Ellen (Molly) Sutton, who would be pleased to know a small portion of the Australian bush she so loved would be protected in her name. Mark Venosta donated in memory of James Peter Egerton Human and several donations were received in memory of Ray Williams.

“Indigenous people have finally regained title to In celebration significant tracts of their traditional lands in Australia Alan and Dawn Beck donated to mark and they have this huge job of looking after country.” the occasion of their son Jason Beck’s Emma Ignjic, Indigenous Partnerships Manager Northern marriage to Anna Deykin. Dr Lawrence Johnson celebrated the birthday of his granddaughters, Phoebe and Mirana “Indigenous people have finally regained It’s a more personal and spiritual relationship,” Bowen, with a gift to Bush Heritage. title to significant tracts of their traditional says Emma. “When we’re working with Mrs Leonie Voorhoeva celebrated her lands in Australia and they have this huge Aboriginal people, we have to keep in mind eightieth birthday with a donation and job of looking after country and dealing with that they are not doing just land management several gifts were made forr Anthiny new threats – weeds, wildfire, feral animals, – they’re caring for country. Healthy country Tenney’s birthday. mining activity and climate change,” says includes the plants and animals, education Emma Ignjic, Bush Heritage’s Indigenous and employment, the relationships between Bequests Partnerships Manager Northern. old and young people, and people’s physical We gratefully acknowledge the estate and spiritual wellbeing,” she says. of Jennifer Mary Morrison, the estate According to Emma, these new threats of Clement Skevington, the estate of and management challenges mean that It is our cultural adaptability and Judith Catherine Iltis, the estate of unique partnerships combining Aboriginal willingness to work with others, combined Donald Murray Hart and the estate knowledge with western scientific know-how with conservation know-how, which has of Thomas Kenneth Macdonald. can help to achieve the ecological, cultural led Balkanu and Warddeken to continue and social imperatives of indigenous people. their partnerships with Bush Heritage. Below: Red gum flowers, Yourka Reserve. Photograph by Wayne Lawler / EcoPix Bush Heritage worked hard with other groups “Bush Heritage is an organisation that shares to develop a conservation-planning process many of our aspirations and is willing to that met the needs of Aboriginal people. engage in terms suitable to indigenous With this process we work with Aboriginal people,” says Terry Piper, Balkanu’s Chief Traditional Owner groups like the Umpila Operating Officer. people of Cape York, to create Healthy It’s a long-term relationship that Terry says Country Plans which include clear action will help indigenous communities to manage plans and monitoring programs. their land, create economic independence “Country is an Aboriginal term that means the and to develop resilience. “People ultimately land, the water, the air, the spirit, the language want to work on and manage their own land,” and everything that exists within your estate. he says.

Bush Heritage Australia Contributors: Vanessa Murray, Jane Lyons, This publication uses 100% post-consumer Level 5, 395 Collins Street Lucy Ashley and Emma Burgess. waste recycled fibre, made with a carbon PO Box 329 Flinders Lane neutral manufacturing process, using Design by iconinc.com.au Melbourne, VIC 8009 vegetable-based inks. Follow Bush Heritage on facebook. T: 1300 NATURE (1300 628 873) T: (03) 8610 9100 F: (03) 8610 9199 E: [email protected] W: www.bushheritage.org.au

ABN 78 053 639 115 Bush Heritage News | Autumn 2014 11 Visiting Bush See www.bushheritage.org.au/visits Birding tours Heritage reserves for details. Available at: We are excited to announce Melbourne • Chereninup Creek Reserve, WA Birding Tours will be offering personalised To really appreciate the value of our • Kojonup Reserve, WA guided birding trips to Nardoo Hills Reserves. reserves, there’s nothing like experiencing • Liffey River and Oura Oura Reserves, Tas They are a great way to learn more about bird them first hand. habitats and see as many species as possible. • Currumbin Reserve, Qld. This year we are proud to announce a For details and bookings see range of new and improved opportunities Tag along tours MelbourneBirding.com to visit. There’s something for everyone We’ll be offering several guided trips to or call 0414 355 146 from self-guided trips, overnight camps some of our more remote reserves this year. CAFNEC wilderness bike tour and guided tours to personalised birding Travellers will need to be fully self-sufficient experiences and mountain bike adventures. with their own vehicles and gear, camping For a reserve visit that’s a bit more As more opportunities become available equipment, food and fuel. Bookings are adventurous you can join the Far North we will continue to update our website. essential and spaces limited. Fees apply. Wilderness Bike Tour. This eight-day mountain bike trip – scheduled for September Camping See www.bushheritage.org.au/visits 27 to October 4 – will visit some spectacular for details or contact Katrina Blake: If you’re self-sufficient with your own areas including two nights on Yourka Reserve [email protected] equipment, vehicle and supplies, camping with Managers Paul and Leanne Hales. The (03) 8610 9100 is available on: tour is an annual fundraising event for the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre • Charles Darwin Reserve, WA • Cravens Peak / Ethabuka Reserves, Qld, 22–26 July 2014 (CAFNEC) and is organised and run by them. • Boolcoomatta Reserve, SA • Yourka Reserve, Qld, 7–10 August 2014 For more information and to make a • Carnarvon Station Reserve, Qld. • Carnarvon Station Reserve, Qld, reservation call CAFNEC on (07) 4032 1746 See www.bushheritage.org.au/visits for details. 11–14 August 2014 or visit www.wildernessbiketour.com Bookings are required as campsites are limited. • , SA, 25–29 August 2014 Top left: A tag along visit to , Qld. Self-guided day visits • Naree Station Reserve, NSW, Photograph by Katrina Blake 12–14 September 2014 Top right: The spotted pardalote is amongst the You can visit some of our smaller less birds inhabiting Nardoo Hills Reserves, Vic. remote reserves as a self-guided day trip. Photograph by Wayne Lawler / EcoPix

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