From little things... 25 Years of Bush Heritage 25 years

Front cover: Laila and Skye Palmer, daughters of Manager Phil Palmer, with volunteer Will Douglas at Scottsdale Reserve, NSW. See inside back cover for their story. Photo by Anna Carlile. This page: Numerous Bush Heritage reserves across Australia protect the habitat of the Sugar Glider, shown here nesting in a tree hollow. Photo by Steve Parish. From little things... Contents

2 18 1 Bob Brown Rod and Annette PROFILE PROFILE Founder Donors

4 20 Gerard O’Neil Sydney University PROFILE at Ethabuka CEO CASE STUDY Research partnership 6 A Giant Leap 26 CASE STUDY Heike Eberhard Red-tailed Phascogale PROFILE Volunteer 8 Partners in 28 conservation Olivia Barratt CASE STUDY PROFILE Indigenous partnership Young Advocate

12 30 Timeline Cover story 25 YEARS PROFILE

14 Contributing writers Leigh Johnstone Boolcoomatta is like Kate Cranney a homecoming CASE STUDY Boolcoomatta 25 years

2 From little things... Bob Brown A true success story

PROFILE In the very early days of Bush Heritage Over the years, as I moved from the tiller 3 Founder Australia, I remember buying a black and to become its patron, Bush Heritage has white strip advertisement in the Business been blessed with talented Directors, Review Weekly. I had just bought the CEOs and staff, a committed Board and an two properties in the Liffey Valley and army of volunteers and donors who have our very small team was helping me raise put us at the forefront of environmental money to meet the loan repayments. science and practical conservation. The advertisement didn’t generate a Buying and protecting private single response. Meanwhile, our official launch in the forest at the picturesque land of high conservation “I was in Parliament Liffey Valley properties attracted a value and collaborating with solitary ABC journalist. To say that when I got the call. paying back that debt sent a few jitters Traditional Owners is the My friend and agent through our small yet committed trademark of our successful group would be an understatement. conservation model. Alan Cordell was on Thankfully however, people’s love for Yet some of our benefits have been the line and he said the Australian bush came to the fore. unintended. As our population swells, Word about our mission slowly spread it will become harder for people to find ‘you’ve got the two and people offered anything they could natural experiences. For some, the simple spare to help get act of being in nature will become foreign. blocks for $250,000’. off the ground. Donations and interest- Our work will find even greater value, and free loans of just a few tens or hundreds will allow future generations to experience The rest is history.” of dollars helped us make ends meet the plants, animals and intact ecosystems in those precarious early years. of our island home.

By 1993 we appointed a part-time Bush Heritage Australia is a wonderful fundraising coordinator and, soon success story built on the blood, sweat, after, purchased the Fan Palm Reserve occasional tear – and great generosity – in Queensland – a tiny eight-hectare of innovative professionals along with property next to the Wet Tropic World thousands of people who have become Heritage Area. The feeling that we involved in our work. To them all I were a true national organisation say congratulations and a heartfelt was gradually building. thank you. This success is yours.

From those humble beginnings I could Here’s to the next 25 years. only dream that Bush Heritage Australia would grow to the scale we know today. Bush Heritage currently owns more than 1.2 million hectares of lands and is contracted to help in the protection of another 5.6 million hectares of Aboriginal lands and seas.

Photo by Annette Ruzicka. 25 years

4 From little things... Gerard O’Neill The best job in Australia

PROFILE In the late 1990s I was working in the The success has been built on 5 CEO conservation policy field and I received a brochure from an environmental the hard work of thousands organisation called Bush Heritage Australia of people. Yet, in a way, the that caught my eye. It simply read: ‘We work is just beginning. don’t beat around the bush. We buy it.’ Our job is to continue the journey The approach piqued my interest, and so those that come after us inherit an I was prompted to find out more. As I organisation that is well placed to meet learned about Bush Heritage Australia’s the challenges of the next 25 years projects and its philosophy I recall and beyond. "I had the privilege, thinking what an energetic and effective group this was. As I continued my career And when I think about the work a few years ago, of I kept an eye on Bush Heritage and its happening at places like Carnarvon and work, and was increasingly impressed Naree, the protection of the Night Parrot speaking with a man with its commitment to private at Pullen Pullen, our collaboration with named Peter Edwards conservation, indigenous collaboration the Central Desert Native Title Services and its science-backed approach. team and the Birriliburu partnership and our plans for Hamelin Station Reserve, about what motivated As fate would have it, by 2011 Bush I can’t help but be encouraged about Heritage Australia was looking for a new the future. him to donate for so CEO. By then, I knew the organisation long. He simply said well. I could see a well-run operation, In achieving this milestone I want to say outstanding governance, a strong board thank you for your support, your tireless "I wanted to be part and a great team of people who were efforts, your intellect and your passion. looking to further the conservation Without you, we could not have weathered of creating something cause in Australia. I applied, and I was the growing pains of an organisation in appointed to what I firmly believe is its infancy to become the highly effective, much bigger than I the best job in Australia, and I’m lucky internationally recognised organisation enough to be here as we mark our we are today. could do by myself". 25th anniversary. It’s something for which we can all be I’ll never forget that This is a celebration of Bush Heritage immensely proud. Australia’s growth from adolescence conversation." to maturity.

From those early days in the Liffey Valley of Tasmania to achieving our millionth protected hectare, Bush Heritage Australia has continued to evolve and inspire people to support its cause.

Photo by Bec Walton. 25 years

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CASE STUDY Red-tailed Phascogale The 2010 translocation of 30 Red-tailed Phascogales to Kojonup Reserve in A giant Western Australia signalled a maturing leap of approach for Bush Heritage Australia. From little things...

Thanks to your support, Kojonup Reserve is a magical oasis in ideal habitat, benefitting from almost Western Australia’s wheat belt, a chaotic 15 years of Bush Heritage’s careful Bush Heritage has taken bushland known for its thriving birdlife. management. steps to not only protect Golden Whistlers flash through the canopy, But a potential translocation was new habitat of native creatures, feasting on insects. Rufous Treecreepers territory for Bush Heritage. Protecting but reintroduce creatures nest in hollows and White-browed habitat had long been part of Bush Babblers forage amongst fallen logs. Heritage’s work – but intense species-level onto potential new habitat. management like this was new. By day, Kojonup roars with the chatter of birdlife. But the best show comes at night. “Translocation wasn’t a strategy we’d been involved in,” recalls Science and Research 7 As the birds roost, a tiny marsupial Manager Dr Jim Radford. “But this was ventures into the evening and starts a great opportunity to explore ways we foraging amongst the wandoo woodlands could increase the conservation values of that sprawl across the 389-hectare properties that we already owned. It was a property. Measuring 10cms in the real maturing of approach for us.” body and weighing just 60g (about the weight of a chicken egg), the Red-tailed Between 2010 and 2011, thirty Phascogale moves at blink-and-you- Phascogales were released onto Kojonup miss-it speeds, leaping up to two metres Reserve just before their mating season. in a single bound. Trees on the property were fitted with wool-lined boxes to allow safe nesting Only a few years ago you wouldn’t and to increase their chances of survival. have found a Red-tailed Phascogale on The results have been astounding. Kojonup. Once widespread across the southern half of Australia, land clearing “We’ve been seeing more individuals and predation had cornered these animals every year since 2011,” Bush Heritage into a small section of WA’s southern Ecologist Angela Sanders said. “This wheat belt. In 2010 the WA Department year we recorded 25 altogether. Since of Parks and Wildlife contacted Bush these critters are short-lived, all of these Heritage with a bold proposal: a ‘wild-to- would have been born at Kojonup, which wild’ translocation. indicates the Phascogales are breeding – a wonderful sign.” Opposite: The Red-tailed The idea was simple – moving a small Phascogale weighs just 60 grams. proportion of a Phascogale population “We can safely say the Photo by Annette Ruzicka. from elsewhere in the wheat belt and Below: Bush Heritage establishing a new, self-sustaining translocation was a success ecologist Angela Sanders population amongst Kojonup’s intact befriends a Phascogale and we now have the basis at Kojonup Reserve. remnants of wandoo woodland. It was Photo by Annette Ruzicka. of an ongoing sustainable population.” More importantly, the project’s success has instilled confidence within Bush Heritage about the value of such approaches. Similar relocations of the endangered Red-finned Blue-eye fish on Queensland’s , and the Striped Legless Lizard onto Scottsdale Reserve in NSW are also producing pleasing results.

“With these successful translocations we don’t necessarily have to go out and purchase another property to increase our conservation impact,” Dr Radford says. “These projects have been important milestones in the growth and maturing of Bush Heritage. We hope to do more of this in the next 25 years.” 25 years

8 Partners in conservation

The Greater Bilby is one of many creatures that have benefited from the meeting of western scientific research and traditional ecological knowledge, since Bush Heritage and our many Aboriginal partners began working together in 2004. From little things...

CASE STUDY It’s typically hot in central Western Since the Birriliburu IPA was established 9 Indigenous partnership Australia. The sun beats down on the in 2013, Bush Heritage and the Traditional parched landscape and the breeze offers little Owners, the Martu people, have been respite. Bush Heritage Ecologist Dr Vanessa fostering a strong partnership, together Westcott steps down a dune and crouches with Central Desert Land and Community. at its base. By her side are Rita Cutter and Lena Long, Birriliburu Traditional Owners Bush Heritage has assisted with the and senior rangers for the Birriliburu development of the Indigenous ranger Indigenous Protected Area (IPA). program employing locals from Wiluna and surrounding areas. Rita and Lena are senior Rita and Lena are showing Vanessa rangers and lead land management activities another new active Bilby burrow they in the Birriliburu IPA, including reinstating have found on their country. traditional fire regimes, threatened species monitoring and fauna surveys. Vanessa brings with her a PhD in fire ecology and botany. Rita and Lena bring According to Cissy Gore-Birch, Bush thousands of years of traditional Martu Heritage’s National Aboriginal Engagement knowledge. Their worlds may seem vastly Manager, partnerships play a vital role in different – yet their goals are the same: to our conservation achievements. look after the bush by sharing knowledge.

Opposite: Traditional Owner “Having the support of Rita Cutter and Bush Heritage As Bush Heritage celebrates its 25th Ecologist Vanessa Westcott anniversary, this partnership approach has Bush Heritage donors has working together on become an increasingly important piece Birriliburu traditional lands. provided an opportunity for Photo by Annette Ruzicka. of the conservation puzzle. It’s recognition land management experts to Bottom left: The Greater Bilby. that Aboriginal Australians have lived on Photo by Jiri Lochman / the land for millennia, and demonstrate work in collaboration with Lochman Transparencies. an enduring commitment to look after it. Aboriginal people through a Bottom right: Lena Long, They have also accumulated generations of Birriliburu Traditional Owner. Photo by Gerard O'Neill. traditional knowledge about its ecology. two-way learning process.” 25 years

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And that’s great news for the Australian “We are becoming more declined dramatically since European bush, because, as Cissy explains, in many settlement. Katjarra represents one of cases, Aboriginal people are in the best well known within the the only remaining, confirmed Bilby position to manage that bush. “They know Aboriginal community and populations in the south-western extent of the country. They know the stories that we are fielding more and their current range. have been passed down. And they know the locations of what country is where.” more requests to partner,” Rita and Lena are Bilby (Muntalngaku) experts and are both passionate about Much has changed in the way that Cissy says. “There are their work. Aboriginal people are positioned to look some very promising and after their lands since Bush Heritage exciting times ahead.” “I just love my little bilbies,” Rita says. first worked in partnership with Bidjara “I want to come back next time when I Traditional Owners on Carnarvon Station Today Vanessa, Rita and Lena are am on a ranger trip, I want to see them Reserve in 2004. monitoring Bilby numbers. Each day breeding, surviving and looking after they’re met with a mammoth task: the themselves so they can cover half this “Aboriginal people are now a major Birriliburu IPA spans 6.6 million hectares country.” stakeholder within the land sector. This across the Little Sandy and Gibson Deserts partnership has contributed to providing Rita and Lena’s knowledge, enthusiasm of Western Australia. That’s roughly the and connection to country have greater opportunities to succeed in cultural size of Tasmania. and conservation outcomes for all.” been essential to the progress of the In its south-western corner is Katjarra partnership. For Dr Vanessa Westcott, The future looks bright for similar – an area of significant cultural and their knowledge in regard to the Bilby partnership programs. Bush Heritage’s ecological value. The hard, red sands is unparalleled. They know about the reputation is quickly growing amongst provide ideal breeding habitat for the food plants Bilbies like, their habitat Aboriginal communities, paving the way Greater Bilby. But Bilby numbers have preferences and they are experts in for the program to expand. recognising Bilby tracks, scats and From little things...

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burrows. All the Birriliburu Rangers are involved in undertaking fire Thanks to your support, management and feral predator works Bush Heritage are able to that are critical to maintaining Bilby populations on their land. help Rita, Lena and their fellow Birriliburu Traditional “If anyone is going to save the Bilby and the other animals in this landscape, it’s Owners to protect their going to be Aboriginal people through traditional lands. programs like the Birriliburu partnership.” Dr Vanessa Westcott, Bush Heritage Ecologist.

Opposite: Rita Cutter, Birriliburu senior ranger using right-way fire on her traditional lands. Photo by Annette Ruzicka.

Above left: Tetratheca champanii found only at Katjarra (the Carnarvon Range) in the Birriliburu IPA. Photo by Vanessa Westcott.

Below left: Traditional Birriliburu technique of shoe weaving. Photo by Annette Ruzicka.

Above right: Birriliburu country from the air. Photo by Annette Ruzicka. 25 years 25 years of your support

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1998 Bush Heritage’s role as a conservation group that complements the national parks system is endorsed by the 2002 1992 extension of the federal 1990 government’s National Bush Heritage purchases Bob Brown buys Liffey Reserve System to its 13th reserve, Charles Australian Bush Heritage River and Drys Bluff non-government Darwin Reserve (WA), Fund incorporated, with Reserves, protecting organisations like now protecting a total Bob Brown as President. 240 hectares. Bush Heritage. of 128,834 hectares.

Bush Heritage elevates Bush Heritage purchases Bush Heritage first Bush Heritage solidifies profile from local to its 5th reserve, Friendly explores the its national approach to national with purchase Beaches (Tas.), now conservation potential conservation with the of Fan Palm Reserve. protecting a total of of partnerships with purchase of Carnarvon 1 494 hectares. other landowners, Station Reserve. through its role as a 4 1993 1997 founding partner in Gondwana Link, 2001 Western Australia. 3 1999

Photo 1 by Craig Allen, 2. Jeroen van Veen, 3. Jessica Wyld Photography, 4. Terry Cooke, 5. Annette Ruzicka, 6. Peter Morris, 7. Steve Heggie From little things...

Thanks to your support, Bush Heritage has grown from small beginnings to celebrate 25 years of achievements.

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2016 Bush Heritage 2004 celebrates 25 years Bush Heritage initiates of conservation its first partnership with achievements, with indigenous landowners, 2010 more than 100 staff, the Bidjara people 2006 489 volunteers, and at Carnarvon Station Bush Heritage carries 48,000 supporters The organisation is Reserve, recognising the out its first species- nation-wide. The renamed Bush Heritage role of traditional owners translocation project, organisation now Australia. in conservation. The settling 30 Red-tailed protects 6.2 million Bidjara people dance on Bush Heritage sets out Phascogales onto hectares of land their traditional lands for on its vision of protecting Kojonup Reserve. through its reserves the first time in decades. 1% of Australia by 2025. 2 and partnerships.

Bush Heritage opens Bush Heritage signs Reserve staff battle one Bush Heritage launches its support centre a ten-year agreement of the worst fire seasons its 10-year Science Plan. in Melbourne with a with the Wunambal in Bush Heritage history. national staff of 15 Gaambera people in 7 2015 employees. the remote Kimberley region, a ground‑breaking 2013 2005 partnership for Australian conservation. 5 Founder Bob Brown and his partner Paul Thomas gift their Liffey Valley property in Tasmania to Bush Heritage in celebration of our 20th anniversary. 6 2011 25 years

For Bush Heritage Australia volunteer Nick Barratt, what began as a camping trip with mates turned into a deep affection for South Australia’s Boolcoomatta Station Reserve.

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CASE STUDY Boolcoomatta Boolcoomatta is like a homecoming From little things...

Sitting under the vast Boolcoomatta skies Throughout his stay Nick learned with birds chattering overhead, Nick about Bush Heritage and its work on Barratt feels almost at home. There is no the property. He was so inspired by the hum from city traffic. Suburban life is a experience he quickly signed up as a world away. The solitude is welcome. volunteer and regularly takes a week off here and there to help. When he’s “Being there is such an extreme volunteering you can find him removing difference to city life,” he says. “It’s just fence lines, working with the feral the vastness of it. If you like the sounds management program and fencing off and the smells of the bush and not old mine sites. worrying about that background hum of 15 living in the city then Boolcoomatta is “Volunteering for an certainly a wonderful place.” organisation that has Three years ago Nick and a group of mates set off on their annual camping trip. In worthwhile goals and is full search of new scenery they had contacted of dedicated people made Bush Heritage and organised a stay at sense to me,” he says. Boolcoomatta. The 63,000ha property is

almost 500km north-east of Adelaide and “If I can help them move towards those 100km west of Broken Hill. Its immensity goals as an organisation then I am happy and rugged beauty has inspired travellers to help.” and poets alike. As well as being Bush Heritage’s 25th From the moment he set foot on the anniversary, it is also 10 years since we property, Nick felt an immediate purchased Boolcoomatta. The purchase connection and a touch of nostalgia. was a key part of Bush Heritage’s core objective of buying private land of high “I had a farm upbringing, and have been ecological value for conservation. away from that for quite a few years. Opposite: Boolcoomatta Boolcoomatta is a place where I can The reserve features some of the best Station Reserve. Photo by Boris Hlavica. reconnect with that lifestyle,” he says. regeneration of Mulga woodlands, as well

Above left: The White-winged “My dad also spent a lot of time up in as some of the best remaining Bullock Fairy Wren finds a home at that country, and he talked about it a lot. Bush shrubland and saltbush communities Boolcoomatta. I feel a strong connection with him when in the region. Hiding amongst them is the Photo by Peter Morris. I go up there, knowing that he had such vulnerable Murray Swainson-pea and the Above right: Volunteer Nick Barratt at Boolcoomatta. an affinity for that area.” critically endangered Plains-wanderer, a Photo courtesy of Nick small quail-like bird. Barratt. 25 years

Thanks in part to your support, 7000 rabbit warrens have been removed at Boolcoomatta Station Reserve, easing the pressure on food sources for the reserve's native animals. 16

Boolcoomatta Reserve was acquired in 2006 with the assistance of the Australian Government under the Natural Heritage Trust's National Reserve System Programme and the Nature Foundation SA.

And watching over all of this are the goats and correspondingly on the future dramatic Olary Ranges – some of the of native species here. That’s the power of oldest rocks in Australia. collaboration.”

Bush Heritage's Healthy Country Manager This type of work is common across many Glen Norris says the opportunity to of Bush Heritage’s properties, but Glen purchase the property made strategic sense believes that Boolcoomatta in particular as Bush Heritage reached adolescence. stands out as a watershed moment in the evolution of the organisation. “For Bush Heritage, Boolcoomatta really ticked all the boxes,” he says. “This was “Buying properties is an important part of an opportunity for private conservation our strategy, but we’ve realised it doesn’t to complement the work of the National have to be the only part. We recognise Reserve System in a way that wasn’t now that we can create so many more common at the time. Boolcoomatta shares benefits beyond our boundary fence a border with Bimbowrie Conservation by working with our neighbours and Park, so acquiring this property was a indigenous communities, the government, major step for Bush Heritage and the and environmental agencies.” private conservation movement generally.” “Our collaborative and Great progress has been made on Boolcoomatta over the past decade – but partnership approach has the challenges Bush Heritage still face gone from strength to are equally great. Since purchasing the property more than 7000 rabbit warrens strength.” have been removed, weed management As for Boolcoomatta’s future? With help is well advanced, and plant and animal from people like Nick and thousands of surveys continue. dedicated supporters, it’s going to be an “The property was a pastoral station exciting one. for 150 years and there are significant “It’s such a large, ongoing project,” Nick issues that we are still dealing with. It will says. “And it will be nice to see small take decades to recover," Glen says. “For native mammals thriving here again and Boolcoomatta, that includes goats. It’s very the vegetation returned. That, I suppose, good goat country in those rocky hills. is the ultimate goal in restoring properties Goats eat everything.” like Boolcoomatta.” Opposite: Boolcoomatta's Dome Rock. “Collaboratively I believe we can, across Photo by Rebecca Passlow. Boolcoomatta and the neighbouring Above: Boolcommatta properties, have a really big impact on homestead. Photo by Annette Ruzicka. From little things...

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18 From little things... Rod and Annette Why become a Bush Heritage donor?

PROFILE Rod Martin has supported Bush Heritage Sitting around a barbeque and the camp- 19 Donors since the beginning, and he and his wife fire we got talking to the staff and the Annette recently made the decision to ecologists and asked lots of questions. We leave a gift to the organisation in his Will. learned quite a lot at that time. Rod talks about why Bush Heritage is so important to him. It was a very detailed, professional and fun visit and allowed us to get hands-on with How did you first become Bush Bush Heritage and their work. Heritage donors? It was 1991 and my wife Annette and I How did you decide to leave a gift to were on a camping and bushwalking trip Bush Heritage in your Will? “I’m proud of what through Tasmania. We had our car, a Eventually you get old enough to start tent and we were roaming around when thinking about your Will. When we I’ve been a part of we heard Bob Brown talk about his new thought about where we would leave our organisation on the radio. A few days later money, we realised that we agreed with for 25 years.” we were walking through Liffey Falls, a what Bush Heritage is doing and thought stone’s throw from the property he had that it was a worthwhile organisation to saved from logging. leave our estate with.

The Liffey area was certainly wildly Rather than spread it around to thousands different in terms of vegetation and real of deserving organisations we thought rivers that our home in South Australia it was more effective and simple to just doesn’t have. The natural world is make out a Will to Bush Heritage – it just important in many ways and to think that seemed the logical choice. this area was almost lost? I just knew that What would you say to anyone else we had to help. thinking about leaving a bequest to Why do you support Bush Heritage? Bush Heritage? We always hope that the conservation That it’s very worthwhile. Bush Heritage of wildlife is not arbitrary, but that is very professional and they know what every individual will come to value they’re doing. Their use of a fact-based conservation. Why Bush Heritage scientific approach to conservation with specifically? The Bush Heritage model professionals such as ecologists, botanists of acquiring land means that the impact and landscape managers, sets them apart of your money will go on and on – it from many other organisations. You can will be long-lasting. And we know and trust them. They have the right people, trust them! They have the right people, knowledge and skills and they deserve the knowledge, skills and they’ve been around support. for quite a while now.

Which of your visits to a Bush Heritage property stands out the most? We had a three-day visit to Carnarvon Reserve in Queensland about five or six years ago. The managers at the time and a professional ecologist showed us around and explained what they were doing to measure the current state of the property Donors Rod Martin and and what their aims were to repair it and Annette Mackie. eradicate some of the feral animals and Photo by Gary Marsh. buffel grass. 25 years

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CASE STUDY Research partnership Sydney University at Ethabuka From little things...

Scientists from all walks of life are drawn to the red sands of Ethabuka Reserve to volunteer under the expert 21 guidance of our research partners from The University of Sydney

It is early morning on Ethabuka Reserve few rabbits, and early surveys reveal plenty and six scientists are dotted across a sand of native animal life. In the distance, Chris dune. Kneeling on the red sand, their arms sees a patch of gidgee trees, providing disappear down deep holes – on closer precious shade in the sea of spinifex inspection they are not holes, but pitfall grass. Main Camp is born – a place for traps. Professor Chris Dickman retrieves scientists to camp while doing field work a Knob-tailed Gecko from a trap; another on Ethabuka. scientist gingerly removes a sharp-toothed Mulgara. Now the scientists return to the In 2016, Main Camp still provides a vehicle, animals carefully contained in home-away-from-home for scientists. Ever calico bags, ready to take the creatures’ since that first trip, up to four times a year, vital stats. The landscape may look University of Sydney ecologists, under the untouched, but the path these scientists supervision of Chris and fellow Sydney walk is, in fact, well-trodden. University Professor and co-founder of the Desert Ecology Research Group, Glenda As we mark our 25th anniversary, Bush Wardle, drive 2000km inland to Ethabuka Heritage celebrates our supporters, and and Cravens Peak. They visit for up to four the work of one of our oldest scientific weeks at a time, studying everything from partners: the Desert Ecology Research dingoes to tiny native bees. The team is Group from the University of Sydney, made up of Chris and Glenda, long-term affectionately known as the “Ratcatchers”. Operations Manager Bobby Tamayo, and a Chris Dickman is ever-conscious that veritable army of scientists such as Aaron his team’s work is dependent on the Greenville and students from the Desert generosity of Bush Heritage supporters. Ecology Research Group. “We have seen the fantastic value of their contribution during the course of our Glenda estimates that more research at Ethabuka and Cravens Peak, and are very grateful for the improvement than 1000 volunteers from of natural values that this allows.” far and wide have joined the

Step back more than 25 years to January of trips since 1990, many of 1990. A lone vehicle drives up and down them returning in later years the sand dunes of the – impressive, given the trying Opposite: University of Sydney in western Queensland. Professor Chris science volunteers step aside as research assistant David Nelson Dickman, a scientist specialising in desert conditions. removes a snake caught in a animals is on a quest – concerned about pitfall trap. The group has encountered flooding rains, the fate of Australia’s arid mammals, he Above: A Western Brown Snake in bush fires, dust storms and locust plagues is searching for a place to set up a long- a pitfall trap, ready to be carefully of biblical proportion. They’ve worked with measured and set free. term monitoring study. Ethabuka, a cattle swarms of mosquitos and flies, and on days Photos by Kate Cranney. station, shows promise: there are relatively 25 years

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when the mercury rises to 50 degrees. The generous support of our donors Thanks to your support, (One summer the soles of Chris’ boots fell allowed Bush Heritage to buy Ethabuka off – the glue had melted in the heat.) in 2004 and Cravens Peak in 2006. These Bush Heritage works with decisions were guided by the University many of Australia’s leading Why would anyone return to such a place, of Sydney’s research. Since then, we have year after year, for 26 years? formed a strong partnership with Chris, scientists Glenda and their team. The University Ethabuka Reserve is internationally of Sydney has provided long-term data known amongst scientists and attracts on the animals and plants, and how their great interest. But it also leaves its mark on Ethabuka Reserve was acquired populations change over time. Their work people in a more intimate way. “I have a in 2004 with the assistance of the has also contributed to the Ethabuka and great sense of joy to be able to see and catch Australian Government under the Cravens Peak fire management plans. and try to understand the great biodiversity Natural Heritage Trust's National Reserve System Programme and that’s out here,” Chris says. “You can stand Back on the sand dune the day is heating The Nature Conservancy. on a sand dune and look for kilometres up. Weighed and measured, the scientists in all directions and not see any sign of release the captured animals under human activity. Then you look down at spinifex tussocks. The Knob-tailed Gecko your feet and you see the tracks of a myriad licks its eyes and walks away slowly. of creatures. In a place that is apparently so The Mulgara races out of view. A small, harsh, it’s actually incredibly biodiverse!” burrowing lizard disappears under loose sand, leaving an S-shaped trail in its wake. Our understanding of Ethabuka and And the researchers from the University Cravens Peak’s biodiversity would be much of Sydney tally up another year of poorer without the University of Sydney’s surveying the precious biodiversity meticulous, long-term monitoring. We of Ethabuka Reserve. now know that this area of the Simpson Desert protects the highest reptile diversity of any arid zone in the world: at least 54 species of lizards and snakes, including Australia’s largest goanna, the Perentie, live here. The reserves are also home to 27 native mammals, like the Mulgara, a small, feisty marsupial that is vulnerable to extinction. With much of arid Australia grazed by cattle and facing Opposite: The Lesser Hairy-footed Dunnart. pressure from feral animals, our reserves Photo by Adam Kerezsy. are relative safe havens for many species Above Left: Sunset at Ethabuka. threatened with extinction. Photo by Kate Cranney. Above Right: Professor Chris Dickman. Photo by Aaron Greenville. From little things...

“Twenty-five years ago, the population of Hairy-footed Dunnarts at Ethabuka was zero. They were not known at that time even to occur in Queensland. Now they are one of the most common of all small mammals that we capture. Why focus on Hairy-footed Dunnarts? I confess, they are stunningly beautiful animals, and I can only conclude that people who think tigers are cute have simply never had the privilege of seeing a Hairy-footed Dunnart ... But seriously, their presence 23 in the sand dunes on Ethabuka and Cravens Peak is surely a sign of an environment in very good hands.” Professor Chris Dickman, Co-founder of the Desert Ecology Research Group from the University of Sydney 25 years

24 From little things... Heike Eberhard The bush through a volunteer’s eyes

PROFILE An environmental officer by trade and What are your fondest memories 25 Volunteer Bush Heritage volunteer in her spare time, from volunteering with Bush Heritage Heike Erberhard explains why the work of Australia? Bush Heritage is vital to Australia. One of the funny things about working at Currumbin is that there is a creek at How did you become involved in Bush the bottom of the reserve. It’s not a huge Heritage Australia’s work? reserve, but every time we do go down I first heard about private conservation there we try to actually find this creek. reserves when I was in high school, but the idea to become actively involved as a It’s very difficult! Every time we try we get volunteer sprang from a family vacation lost and end up in the neighbouring national “Caring about the we had in Queensland, when we visited park – it has happened so many times! Bush Heritage’s Reedy Creek Reserve in After a while we just give up and have to environment has Queensland. walk back up the hill. It’s very steep.

always been in Have you always had an interest in the What’s the most rewarding part environment? about being involved in Bush Heritage my nature.” My desire to help protect the Australia’s work? environment came when I was a little Being a part of something greater than girl. My family was very outdoorsy – we yourself. Standing in the middle of the did lots of camping and bushwalking. bush, or reserve, and feeling pulled into And we were environmentally friendly, the present moment. It’s such a simple, so caring about the environment has unique and life-altering experience. always been in my nature. Any words of advice to Bush Heritage What projects have you worked on? Australia’s supporters? I started weeding at , but Australia is a very lucky country. It’s time am currently managing a little group we all rediscover just how amazing it is. caring for the bush at Currumbin Reserve Get out there and explore it! in Queensland. We are managing weeds there and replanting four hectares of native bushland.

Photo by Annette Ruzicka. 25 years Olivia Barrett

26 From little things... Olivia Barratt Inherits the bush we leave behind

PROFILE When Olivia Barratt was just a baby, her “If there was no bush, 27 Young advocate grandmother recognised in her a love of nature. “She’s going to be a botanist, or we wouldn’t learn a lot of an ornithologist.” As Olivia grew older, things from plants and the bush became an important part of her animals. When I’m older, life. Regular family camping trips were an opportunity to explore rock pools and in 25 years, I would like the waterfalls. “I love finding little animals bush to be nice and healthy, we’ve never seen before,” Olivia says. She wants to be like David Attenborough so the Night Parrot could “We thought the when she gets older. be everywhere and other Now at age ten years old, Olivia is a endangered animals too.” Night Parrot was staunch advocate of the Night Parrot It is Olivia and her friends that inherit the and is spreading the word among bush we as Australians leave behind us. extinct, but now her classmates about why it must be protected. Her parents even drove an we have a second hour with Olivia to collect red dirt in chance to help order to show her classmates the kind of habitat the Night Parrot inhabits. save them. I want to help them.”

Olivia Barratt on bushland near her home in Queensland's Fraser Coast. Photo by Kim Thomsens Photography. 25 years

28

Will Douglas with Skye and Laila Palmer at Scottsdale Reserve. Photo by Anna Carlile. From little things...

PROFILE Front cover story

Skye and Laila Palmer live near Scottsdale They also meet many passionate, inspiring Reserve in New South Wales. As the and skilled volunteers and partners, who daughters of Bush Heritage Reserve come to the reserve in the hope of leaving Manager Phil Palmer and his wife Sharna, it in good shape for children like Skye and Skye and Laila regularly explore the nooks Laila to enjoy in years to come. and crannies of the reserve. Swimming in the Murrimbidgee River is by far Will Douglas is one of those volunteers. their favourite activity and they also love He has been a Bush Heritage donor since the exploring the endless creeks and gullies very early days of Bush Heritage. He now with their parents, in search of wayward volunteers across the South East reserves. tree guards. He is a Biology teacher who owns his own bush property and has been involved in Skye and Laila, along with their older conservation his entire adult life. sisters and brother were born and bred in the Kimberley and are loving the change from the hot, salty seas of the north to the clear, cold mountain streams of the southern tablelands.

RESTORING NATURE STEP BY STEP

Sarah Martin is the author of Davis McCaughey: WITH A PLAN TO OWN OR MANAGE A Life (2012), When is Forever? A Quirky Tale of ONE PER CENT OF THE COUNTRY BY 2025, Family Life (2015), and A Galapagos Day (2016), BUSH HERITAGE AUSTRALIA IS AN a children’s picture book. Sarah’s research for this ORGANISATION WITH BIG AMBITIONS. book took her to many remote parts of Australia.

Started by Bob Brown in 1991, Bush Heritage was born from an urgent mission: to protect pristine land Bushfrom logging. After buying two blocks of Heritage Australia forest in Tasmania’s Liffey Valley, Brown set up a non-profit organisation to help pay for them. As donations flowed in and the organisation grew, Bush Heritage set its sights on acquiring tracts of land across the country, repairing environmental degradationRestoring and bringing native plants and wildlife nature step by step back to health.

Twenty-five years later, Bush Heritage has more than Byone million hectaresSarah under its care. This Martin is the story of the dedicated people who built it from the ground up – its founders, and the ecologists, researchers, land managers, Aboriginal traditional land owners, staff, donors and brigade of volunteersRead who have helped about Bush Heritage 25 years-worth of Bush As a valued Bush Heritage supporter, you to thrive, year after year. Heritage stories: the inspiring tale of our receive a 40% discount when ordering

‘For the ever-growing band of benefactors, and the volunteers and staff of Bush Heritage Australia, SARAH MARTIN founding, to the tales of the ecologists, from www.newsouthbooks.com.au, happiness flows from our combined effort to ensure that Australia’s unique landscapes, wildlife and land managers, Aboriginal landowners using the code BUSH40 at the checkout. ecosystems prosper into the future.’ BOB BROWN and the volunteers who have helped Bush ($39.95 or $23.95 for Bush Heritage

ENDPAPER IMAGES Front: Tracks in the sand among the spinifex, Ethabuka Reserve, Qld. Photo: Paul Grimshaw. Back: Misty morning on Scottsdale Reserve, NSW. Heritage to thrive, year after year. supporters) Photo: Jiri Lochman/Lochman Transparencies. SARAH MARTIN ENVIRONMENT

Bush Heritage Jacket_FINAL.indd 1 9/06/2016 1:36 PM ...big things grow Thank you

Bush Heritage Australia ABN 78 053 639 115 | Level 1, 395 Collins Street | PO Box 329 Flinders Lane Melbourne, VIC 8009, Australia T: +61 3 8610 9100 T: +61 3 1300 628 873( 1300 NATURE) F: +61 3 8610 9199 E: [email protected] W: www.bushheritage.org.au Follow Bush Heritage on:

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