The RunningPostman Newsletter of the Private Land Conservation Program
June 2017 • Issue 23 Building partnerships with landowners for the sustainable management Print ISSN 1835-6141 and conservation of natural values across the landscape. Online ISSN 2204-390X
Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment 1 Manager’s message – June 2017
As a long time enthusiast for private the reader with some leads and represents a hugely significant, land conservation, I am continually ideas for advancing knowledge voluntary commitment to nature amazed to observe the positive in areas of reserve management, conservation by a wide cross advancement of our understanding and also provide topical insights section of the Tasmanian community of nature, and at the same time to natural phenomena such as the and represents the protection the eternal passion that so many recent fireblight beetle plagues. of large areas of threatened and people have for the protection of under-reserved vegetation types, natural values. In this edition of the On a very positive note, the recent populations of threatened species, Running Postman, examples of both registration of a large covenant in geoconservation values and other new knowledge and abiding passion the Central Highlands has taken the significant natural values outside the are showcased. total area of private land reserved in public reserve system. Tasmania to over 100,000 hectares. The progression of ecosystem change This incredible milestone has taken I am immensely proud to be the due to global warming is daunting, but nearly 20 years to achieve since humble manager of a diverse team it is clear that our best responses come the first covenanting programs of conservation scientists and through observation and dialogue. started up in 1998/99. Since that professionals who have achieved The recent Conservation Landholders time there have been a number of so much over the past 20 years. I Tasmania forum on climate change covenanting programs, some with consider their achievements, when highlighted the value of citizen incentive payments, others without, aligned with the enormous voluntary science and sharing of knowledge in with the result being private land contributions of land owners and our developing locally relevant responses covenants spread out across all partner organisations to be world class. and understanding for management of regions of Tasmania, from coastal I hope you also feel some measure reserves in a changing environment. I areas to high altitude terrains, and of satisfaction that your reserve and congratulate the CLT for once again ranging in size from very small your efforts are part of a much larger tackling an issue of relevance and focus right up to the largest covenant national focus on nature conservation. for reserve managers. (a Tasmanian Land Conservancy covenant) which is 8760ha. Peter Voller, The range of articles and topics Manager, Natural Values covered in this issue I hope provide The 100,000 ha milestone Conservation Branch
In this Issue Manager’s message - June 2017 2 Managing dry sclerophyll forest 3 Mange outbreaks threaten wombats, but there ARE ways you can help 4 Land for Wildfire? 6 Fireblight leaf beetle 7 Managing private reserves in the new world of climate change 8 Protecting wildlife species and their habitats 10 Flashes of iridescent blue in the garden 11 Join the ‘Recent Ecological Change in Australia’ Survey! 11 Future events 12 Selling property? 12
The Running Postman is printed on Maine Recycled Silk paper, made from 60% post consumer waste fibre and 40% FSC® certified On the cover: Wombat. Photo: Tourism Tasmania & Masaaki Aihara. virgin fibre. Maine recycled is also CarbonNeutral®. Design and layout: Land Tasmania Design Unit, DPIPWE.
2 The Running Postman • June 2017 Managing dry sclerophyll forest
Two years ago Conservation all dry forest landowners. In fact encounters (including with some Landowners Tasmania (CLT) held a it emerged as the main topic for serrated tussock that they inherited field weekend at Bruny Island which discussion in the Q & A session and have nearly succeeded in was so popular it was decided to chaired by John Thompson and eradicating) plus intriguing insights hold another weekend get-together, supported by Fred, Phil Watson, and into their regeneration work and this time at Cambridge, on the ecologists Phil Barker and Allison motivations for doing what they do. theme of managing dry sclerophyll Woolley. forest. Further along the scenic wine route Phil Watson is the NRM Planner for between Cambridge and Richmond, After some early birds met for pizza Clarence City Council, and he was our visit to the property owned by and chat on the Friday evening, an generous in sharing the model used Fred and Mercedes offered similar eventual total of 38 members and by the Council for developing Bush steep slopes and impressive views professional colleagues gathered and Coastal Activity Plans for the through lovely open woodland, and at Cambridge Hall early on 200 km of coastline and the large prompted discussion about the Saturday 11th February for a close reserves network in the municipality. roles of owners and the fire service encounter with the dry sclerophyll The main aims of the Plans are to on conservation land. The Duncans’ landscape that most of us know capture community knowledge home is not far along the road from well, even if only on the edges of and build shared responsibility, and the property and was where we our vision as we travel the southern Phil is passionate about developing were supposed to end up enjoying and eastern parts of Tassie. strategies for achieving ongoing a meal in their olive grove. Not so; demonstrable results by involving the weather defeated us and we Botanist Fred Duncan and his wife, the disparate stakeholders – retreated to the hall, nothing if not Mercedes, who live near Cambridge Council staff, scientists, landowners flexible! where they own a covenanted and community groups. On property close by, were responsible Sunday morning we spent Many thanks to Fred, Robin Garnett, for organising much of the weekend several hours with Phil in the John Thompson and Phil Collier for for us; Fred also started the beautiful Allocasuarina and white all their work, and to Phil Watson, presentations with a clear overview gum woodlands, heathlands Fred, Mercedes, Allison and Phil, of the distribution of dry forests and kangaroo grasslands of who allowed us to enjoy their land and woodlands principally in the Waverley Park Nature Reserve on and learn from it. Thanks also to eastern half of Tasmania; and their Mornington Hill. the support from Magali Wright interrelationship with climate, from NRM South and our other topography, land use and fire Allison Woolley and Phil five partners: Cradle Coast NRM, practices by aboriginal people, later Barker, who also gave morning NRM North, DPIPWE, Landcare settlement, and, of course, wildfire. presentations at the hall on Tasmania and the Tasmanian Land This latter issue of wildfire, along Saturday, took us after lunch to Conservancy. with questions surrounding fuel their lovely property close by to reduction burns and the capacity walk (or drive!) up some stiff slopes Kay Harman to regenerate after fire and restore and through eucalypt woodlands, to biodiversity, is of abiding interest to enjoy both wide views and intimate Photos (L to R): Phil Barker with CLT members in his dry sclerophyll forest. Phil Watson entertains CLT members with memorable stories at the Waverley Flora Reserve. The Running Postman • June 2017 June 2017 • The Running Postman 3 Photos: Robin Garnett Mange outbreaks threaten wombats, but there ARE ways you can help
The Narawntapu National Park on wombats in some areas. In their once it has entered a wombat used to be a place where you research at Narawntapu National population it appears they maintain could be guaranteed to see Park, his team of researchers its existence. Mange is widespread wombats all over the marsupial has not found any wombats that throughout the wombat’s range, but lawns, but now there are only a survive mange infection and, seems to have been increasing in handful of wombats left, due to thus, there is not any evidence presence lately in particular regions the ravages of sarcoptic mange at this time of resistance in the of Tasmania. Nationally, sarcoptic that has killed approximately 94 population. DPIPWE’s Tasmanian mange is the biggest disease threat percent of the local wombats. Spotlight Survey Program showed to wombat populations. “Populations around the central counts statewide actually increased Mange is thought to spread mainly north, particularly, as well as some between 1985 and 2015. There as a result of sharing burrows. other parts of the state, have been was a decrease in wombat counts Wombats are usually solitary but very badly affected”, says University in the West Tamar area during will share burrows on occasion of Tasmania researcher, Dr Scott 2009-2015 but a stable overall or use the same burrow, but on Carver. population around the state over differing days. In the burrow, the this period. Whether or not mange “This is a devastating infestation mites may spread through direct will affect the state population over impacting on wombats, and contact and also indirectly, as mites time, there is no doubt that it is a we can’t allow them to suffer” can survive for short periods (up cruel disease for individuals. says Oma Rodger, president of to three weeks) independently in Tasmanian Wildlife Rehabilitation Mange disease is caused by the environment. Away from a host Council and state president for microscopic mites, Sarcoptes scabiei, or a favourable environment, mites Wombat Protection Society which burrow into the skin, leading starve and desiccate quickly. of Australia, who has received to a thick, scaly crust on the skin Fortunately, an ingenious and simple increasing reports of mange from and hair loss. It is intensely itchy for treatment has been developed by wildlife carers around the state. the wombat, and can lead to scabs the Wombat Protection Society of and painful cracked skin, secondary As for the impact on the species Australia. Called the “burrow flap infections, blindness, weight loss, overall, Dr Carver says that we method”, it uses an ice cream box changed behaviour and months simply do not have the data on lid, a milk bottle cap, some wire of suffering that can ultimately wombat populations across the and a treatment provided by the lead to death. This is the same state to assess this, but he says that Tasmanian Wildlife Rehabilitation mite species that causes scabies in mange is having a significant impact Council (TWRC). A measured humans and domestic dogs, and
4 The Running Postman • June 2017 amount of chemical trickles onto a treat the remaining population at community science project run by wombat’s back as it enters or leaves Narawntapu National Park, using the University of Western Sydney. the burrow. There is no need to the burrow flap method. Treatment The Tasmanian Government has disturb the wombat. Check it out was very successful for individual recently committed $100,000 to a at the Mange Management website wombats, but unfortunately they joint effort program between the http://mangemanagement.org.au/ were not able to find and treat all Department of Primary Industries, treatment-methods/ wombats, so the aim of eliminating Parks, Water and Environment, mange from the park altogether To obtain a kit and instructions, the University of Tasmania and was not met. contact Oma Rodgers at the volunteers from Conservation Tasmanian Wildlife Rehabilitation A group called Wombat Rescue Volunteers Australia. Assistance to Council ([email protected]). It is Tasmania (check out their facebook community groups and individuals necessary to go through them to page) has formed at Kelso in is available to help with costs in ensure compliance with an off- the West Tamar area to address treating mange-affected wombats. label “minor use” permit for the wombat mange, with development For an application form and for chemical involved. They also have of a wombat hospital underway, Mange Treatment Protocols, see information on a sulphur-based creation of burrow flaps and trained http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/wildlife- organic treatment. volunteers committing to treat management/animals-of-tasmania/ wombats on their property. People mammals/possums-kangaroos-and- With a weekly refill for 8 weeks, the are working together in rosters to wombats/wombat. infection should be largely cured, ensure that wombat flaps are kept and with fortnightly follow-up for MANGE CAN BE CAUGHT BY primed weekly then fortnightly for another 8 weeks, the wombats CONTACT WITH INFECTED the full treatment period. It may be should be safe from re-infection WOMBATS. CONTACT WITH that, together with friends, you can while the remaining mites in the WOMBATS SHOULD BE help your local wombat population. burrow die off. Treatment should AVOIDED. not be continued in an ongoing way You can also greatly help Anna Povey for longer than this, to try and limit researchers by mapping wombats the chance of treatment resistance and wombat burrows, and (Contact Anna for more evolving in mites. recording their health, on your information about the content of smartphone or online at WomSAT this article) Dr Carver’s team of researchers http://womsat.org.au/womsat/ has recently completed a three map.aspx, as part of a nationwide month experiment, aiming to Photos (L to R): Wombat burrow flap. Photo: Oma Rodger. Mange infected wombat Photo: Oma Rodger. Healthy wombat on Maria Island. Photo: James Leggate. Non-infected wombat at The Running Postman • June 2017 June 2017 • The Running Postman 5 Narawantapu National Park. Photo: James Leggate. Land for Wildfire?
You’ve probably heard it. It’s one of land manager. It’s about permits load, it’s maintaining ecological those myths that land managed for and seasons and fines. It’s forgotten integrity and species diversity. flora and fauna conservation is a knowledge and new approaches To assist private landowners the ‘wildfire’ waiting to happen. In fact, we’re just not so sure about. Tasmania Fire Service recently under wildfire conditions almost And for many of us, it’s also our launched a Planned Burning booklet any area of vegetation can carry a love for nature and concern for titled ‘Planned Burning for Landholders devastating wildfire. Even residential. fire vulnerable flora and fauna. and Farmers’. The booklet outlines Visitors to Snug, in the state’s south, To begin with, we know not all typical ecological considerations might have a hard time imagining a vegetation is suitable. In the Fuel and combines that information with wildfire roaring through those broad Reduction Unit of the Tasmania Fire detail on implementing a burn. The open spaces and penetrating the Service we refer to these types as toolkit includes information about semi-rural township. We know it can “untreatable”. These are places weather conditions, fire behaviour, happen, but it can be hard to picture. where fire is not an ecologically and safety. It also includes resources Regretfully, on the 7th of February viable treatment such as wet forests, such as the Beaufort wind scale, 1967, when it did happen, not even rainforest and alpine vegetation the single leaf test and useful phone the city of Hobart was spared. In assemblages for example. numbers and websites. Paired with that one day 64 lives were lost and your own ecological and practical Secondly, although our vegetation over 1200 homes destroyed. knowledge of the land it will help might be broadly “treatable” you assess for a prescribed burn. So “bushfires” don’t just belong in (resilient to fire of correct intensity, the bush and forest fires don’t stay season, and frequency) there remain The truth is that land managed in the forest. The thing is, many concerns about particular species of for conservation is, in many cases, start there. flora, fauna or specific areas within some of the more actively managed the larger parcel of land. and/or understood areas of native Most of those 1967 fires were vegetation. So if that’s you, and deliberately started by landowners Most people managing land for you’re thinking of undertaking a conducting their own burn offs. conservation values are acutely prescribed burn, far from being Unsurprisingly, burning off is a far aware of those values - what they unprepared, it’s just likely you are less common practice these days, are, where they are, and how they already ahead of the game. even under conditions that suit a should be treated so that those safe undertaking. values are maintained or enhanced. Stu King, Even those that know the value of That’s exactly the point, because the Community Engagement fire in the landscape also know that actual act of burning is only a small Officer (North West), fire is something to fear. And it’s not fraction of overall fire management. Fuel Reduction Unit necessarily the fire itself we are afraid The knowledge and understanding of. It’s being at fault. It’s about being at the property scale are as vital to The SFMC ‘Planned Burning for Farmers sure we’ve done everything right. It’s a successful burn as are the weather and Landholders’ booklet is available from the PLCP or by emailing about not being seen as reckless or and fuel conditions. ‘Success’ is [email protected] or the web site irresponsible or dangerous or a bad much more than reducing the fuel www.sfmc.tas.gov.au.
Photos (L to R): A low intensity fuel reduction burn in an Eucalyptus obliqua forest. Lighting the fire edge. Raking around a tree with a raptor nest in the canopy. Photos: Stu King, Tasmania Fire Service. 6 The Running Postman • June 2017 Fireblight leaf beetle
Extensive scorched or dieback which appears increasingly ragged. their natural controls in some years. symptoms are sometimes seen When fully fed they leave the tree The environmental impacts of in stands of Silver Wattle (Acacia to pupate within earthen cells in repeated defoliation can be severe dealbata) or Black Wattle (Acacia the soil. After two or three weeks as Black and Silver Wattles provide mearnsii) in the spring and early in the pupa, a new generation important habitat for various summer. In some years, stands of of adult beetles appears by late bird species. In native forests it is these trees can appear orange from spring and can be very abundant likely the periodic defoliation of a distance. This is due to defoliation on the trees in November. After these wattles may benefit other by the so-called fireblight leaf beetle feeding for a few weeks, the adults understorey shrubs which can Peltoschema orphana which is locally then retreat to cool refuges such exploit the reduced competition for abundant in regrowth stands of as under bark or among ground resources. the bipinnate wattles in Tasmania litter to pass the hottest part of and Victoria. Both the larvae and the summer in a dormant state. As Wattle foliage is especially nutritious the adult beetle stages feed on the the feeding pressure declines, the and is therefore attractive to a foliage of the host trees. The adults damaged wattles may re-sprout variety of chewing and sucking are glossy, dome-shaped beetles some new foliage over the summer insects. The community of about 6mm long, green in colour months. acacia beetles in Tasmania is and striped with cream and reddish dominated by various leaf beetles Although periodic defoliation is brown. The sluggish grub-like (Chrysomelidae) and weevils a natural occurrence, repeated larvae grow to 10mm in length, and (Curculionidae) with predatory leaf loss can cause trees to die, are green in colour with a darker ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae) and is a challenge for establishing stripe along their sides and a dark also abundant on these trees. A wattles in plantations or for habitat head. close relative of the fireblight restoration. On rare occasions, beetle, Peltoschema hamadryas, is The fireblight leaf beetle has an even mature wattles can be widespread on wattles in Tasmania annual lifecycle. Adult beetles killed over extensive areas. Even- but is less abundant and the adult emerge from their over-summering aged dense stands, such as those beetles mainly feed on the flower retreats in the autumn to feed recruited from seed after a fire, buds. Also related, but much less on wattle foliage and find mates. seem to be especially vulnerable. common, is the orange and black Mating occurs on the trees and In most years, fireblight beetle Peltoschema oceanica which mimics a female beetles then lay their eggs numbers are regulated by ladybird beetle. in rows on the underside of the weather conditions and by a leaves over a period of weeks from Peter McQuillan, variety of natural predators which April to June. The eggs hatch after University of Tasmania include spiders, soldier beetles about ten days, and the larvae feed (Chauliognathus lugubris), ladybirds and grow slowly through the winter. (Coccinellidae) and parasitic By early spring, the larvae are flies (Tachinidae). However, the approaching full size and beginning fireblight beetles’ capacity to breed to make an impact on the foliage quickly means they can outpace
Photos (L to R): Fireblight beetle larvae. Photo: Anna Povey. Severely denuded wattle. Photo: Janet Smith. The Running Postman • June 2017 June 2017 • The Running Postman 7 Fireblight beetle. Photo: Anna Povey. Managing private reserves in the new world of climate change
Managing your private reserve does it mean? Adaptation is the of leaf litter to act as a refuge. can be a challenge at the best of adjustment over time to a new or Landscape connectivity is an times, but for many the thought changing environment. It can be emerging and important concept in of the potential impacts of climate anticipatory or reactive. Good land adaptation thinking. Where there change can be very daunting and management practices are the best is connectivity species can move to disheartening. It is certain there will adaptation - mostly adaptation will allow them to respond to change. be change but it is not clear what be about doing what we should be Trees, shrubs and understorey can impacts these climatic changes will doing anyway – minimizing current all be planted to connect areas of have. In this article we explore threats (weeds, pests) and using native vegetation or to create all some of the practical actions you grazing and fire management as important shade along rivers and can do to help develop resilience in conservation tools. But maybe creeks. It will also be important the nature on your property. we need to change our current to make space for nature to move strategies to fit new conditions. In Resilience is the ability of a – for example saltmarshes may some cases you may actively use system to absorb impacts before expand into adjacent paddocks and management to protect something a threshold is reached where the low-lying areas where sea-level rise you value. For example, more system changes and moves into occurs, and rivers may change their frequent fire regimes under climate another state. The bush as we course after big floods. In some change in a native grassland may know it will change as new species places it will be beneficial to live prevent shrubs and trees from move in to fill the space where with these changes, anticipate and invading (one of the predictions other species can no longer cope. facilitate them, rather than fighting under climate change). Maybe the trees in your woodland them with engineering interventions have all died and now you have Given the uncertainty the use of and the like. a grassland, or the wetland has low risk and “no regrets” actions is Protecting existing habitat and dried out and has been invaded by encouraged. Experiment in your increasing the extent of habitat scrub. However, you still will have reserve with varying some of your is one of the most important a healthy functioning ecosystem current management if you are adaptation options. It will become – it will just be different. The new concerned that it may not be having increasingly important to restore mix of species is potentially more a favourable impact. For example degraded habitat, especially after climate-adapted and may prove to with hotter conditions – let the extreme events. In the ACT and be more resilient. grass stay a bit longer to provide a at Mt Panorama in NSW they are cooler microenvironment near the First some definitions. You have restoring habitat by adding large ground. On the south-facing slopes probably heard about climate woody debris into woodland areas, maybe maintain some deep areas change adaptation, but what with dramatic results.
Photos (L to R): Saltmarsh on Tasmania’s East Coast has potential to move landwards into the adjacent paddocks as sea-levels rise. Photo: Vishnu Prahalad. Cool, moist, more humid and more fire-protected spaces can act as important habitat for creatures such as the velvet-worm. Photo: Jon Green. 8 The Running Postman • June 2017 Revegetation and restoration are short periods during changed projects, museums, botanic gardens, best achieved by using “climate- environmental conditions due to parks, and other organizations. ready” plants - species likely fire, flood or drought. These places to survive in a new climate. A can often reflect unusual climatic Louise Gilfedder long-term experiment is already spaces, places that are unusually Useful materials: underway in Tasmania. A network cool, wet, humid or protected of genetic trials, integrated into from fire. The conservation of 1. Gilfedder L, Macgregor N, Bridle large-scale environmental tree rare climatic spaces could become K, Carter O and Sprod D (2012) plantings, is being used to study an important management goal Implementing Adaptation to Climate the genetic diversity and adaptive on your property. These could Change in Terrestrial and Freshwater potential of native tree species. include gorges and small ravines, Natural Environments in Tasmania. Researchers from UTas and frost hollows, caves, groves of trees Report on an expert workshop Greening Australia will assess local casting deep shade, rock piles and held in Hobart, Tasmania on versus non-local seed sources, and logs, the deep accumulations of 28th and 29th November, 2012. the role of tree genetics in shaping litter, the shaded southern sides of Report to the Department of dependent biodiversity and other steep hills, and tree hollows. Primary Industries, Parks, Water ecosystem services. Currently they Finally, an important role for private & Environment, Hobart. are using two eucalypt species to reserve managers is to become see which genetic types are best http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/ citizen scientists, actively noting adapted to future climates. Documents/Climate-Change- and recording changes or unusual Workshop-Report_web.pdf Identify and protect contemporary natural events. One useful site is and future refuges for climate- https://www.inaturalist.org/ 2. VicNature 2050 – People helping affected species. iNaturalist is a citizen science nature adapt to climate change. Refugia are places where some project and online social network This web site describes ten species are able to persist when of naturalists, citizen scientists, and positive actions informed by most of the original geographic biologists built on the concept of science and inspired by nature range becomes uninhabitable mapping and sharing observations we all can do to help natural because of climate change. of biodiversity across the globe. areas adapt to a new climate. They reflect past environmental Observations may be added via http://vicnature2050.org/ conditions and often contain the website or from a mobile endemic species found nowhere application. The observations else. Refuges can also be areas provide valuable open data to Photos (L to R): Section of the Elizabeth River shaded by trees and where species can persist for a variety of scientific research overhanging vegetation is cooler than nearby unshaded riparian stretches. Photo: Michael Askey-Doran. White gum woodlands in the Midlands still have diverse grassy understoreys with high conservation values. Photo: Louise Gilfedder. Caves, cliffs, rocky gorges, ravines and cool, shaded south-facing slopes can act as The Running Postman • June 2017 June 2017 • The Running Postman 9 important refuges. Photo: Iona Mitchell. Protecting wildlife species and their habitats
At times we are asked ‘What is This MOU was signed in 1997 and LFW contributes to the broader Land for Wildlife all about? Land for LFW commenced in Tasmania in conservation and protection of Wildlife (LFW) is the only national 1998. The scheme also commenced wildlife species and their habitats free non-binding voluntary nature in Queensland in 1998 followed by outside of formal public reserves, conservation scheme that operates the Northern Territory (Darwin and with a large proportion of across Australia. It is implemented Alice Springs) in 2001 and 2002 Tasmania’s wildlife species and in all States and Territories, except respectively following the signing of habitat types occurring mainly or South Australia. the MOU with Victoria. In recent solely on privately owned land. times it now includes the ACT. Protection of natural habitats on LFW originated in Victoria in 1981 private land is therefore critical when the Bird Observers Club of Victoria owns the copyright and to complement the species and Australia (BOCA) recommended trademark of the LFW sign/logo, communities protected in our a scheme be implemented to with the size, colour and text of National Parks and Reserves. support and recognize landowners the diamond shaped sign being who were maintaining and uniformly and consistently used by Properties that qualify for LFW protecting areas of natural bushland the other state and territory LFW registration are generally 2ha or on their properties as “land for schemes. Each state has the option greater with at least 1 ha of natural wildlife”. Thus giving rise to the of using additional features in their bush. The scheme is about the ‘Land for Wildlife’ scheme. It began sign and for Tasmania the platypus integration of nature conservation as a cooperative initiative between and banksia cone were added to with other land uses, it does not BOCA and the Victorian nature convey the message that wildlife just solely apply to entire bush conservation agency of that time. includes both flora and fauna. blocks. There are vineyards, farms, Landowners who registered their nurseries, ecotourism ventures and LFW promotes and supports properties received a LFW sign a variety of other properties which community participation in following a property visit. undertake other activities on their biodiversity conservation and land outside of the area that the The scheme was gradually contributes to the continuity of landowner considers is their ‘land developed more formally with habitats across landscapes. The for wildlife’. regional LFW extension officers beauty of the scheme is that employed by the Department of landowners approach us to have Credit for the success of the Sustainability and Environment (DSE) their properties registered as a scheme in Tasmania and nationally is (now Department of Environment, means of being recognized for due to those landowners who have Land, Water and Planning (DELWP)) their contribution to protecting registered to show their support throughout Victoria. Other states wildlife species and their habitat. and commitment to protecting our showed interest in adopting the By displaying the LFW sign they wildlife species and their habitat. scheme and national protocols were are also increasing community This is such a valuable contribution developed to provide for a standard awareness of this. It is lovely to to biodiversity conservation mode of operating the scheme see how thrilled landowners are to nationally and wonderful to see. with Tasmania, NSW and Western receive their sign which they display Australia signing a Memorandum with pride. The LFW sign is firmly Iona Mitchell of Understanding agreement established and LFW is recognized “Arrangement to Co-ordinate Land nationally as a strong brand. for Wildlife schemes” with Victoria.
Photos (L to R): Restoration of riparian vegetation. Land for Wildlife registered vineyard. Photos: Iona Mitchell. 10 The Running Postman • June 2017 Flashes of Join the ‘Recent iridescent Ecological blue in the Change in garden Australia’ Survey!
A familiar and well recognised safety of shrubbery in between times. Over the past century, average land visitor to many gardens across The breeding season is from surface temperatures have risen by south-eastern Australia is the superb September to March and in a good almost 1° C across the Australian fairy wren, also known as the blue season two or three broods may continent. Models suggest this may wren or fairy wren. These are active be successfully raised with help have already had significant impacts little birds that hop about erratically from other members of the group. on Australia’s ecosystems and searching for insects and other They nest rather low to the ground, biodiversity, but these impacts have invertebrates to eat – so they are approximately 1 – 1.5 m off the not been systematically investigated. good pest controllers in the garden. ground, building a domed structure CSIRO Land and Water and the Male breeding fairy wrens are highly with a side entrance. The nests are Department of the Environment visible as they develop a bright usually made of woven grass, fine and Energy will soon be launching iridescent blue plumage on their twigs and moss and held together an exciting project to collect forehead, ear coverts, mantle and using spider webs – quite often dog stories and anecdotes that will tail with a black mask and deep blue or other soft animal hair is used to help to build a national picture of chest. Females and non-breeding make a very cosy lining. the kinds of ecological changes males are not so vibrant in colour, You can welcome fairy wrens into that have been occurring across with grey-brown plumage, but they your garden by planting prickly the country over the past 10-20 are equally delightful birds to watch. native shrubs in a dense cluster years, or more. We are looking Two species have been identified, so that they have a safe place to for people with strong links to Tasmania having the larger and shelter and build a nest out of Australian environments (e.g. darker form (Malurus cyaneus) and harm’s way of predators, such as farmers, natural resource managers, the smaller more pale form found cats or dogs. You will be rewarded ecologists, naturalists) to share their on the mainland (M cyanochlamys). by the benefits of having these perceptions of recent ecological Fairy wrens can be found in a wide natural insect pest controllers change in an area they know well, range of habitats from open forest as well as having the pleasure of and how this might link with climate and woodland to scrub where watching these beautiful little birds. or other change. suitable dense understorey occurs. The survey will take about 30-40 They are common birds in urban Iona Mitchell minutes and will be released by parks and gardens. They tend to the end of May 2017. It will be stay in the one area and can be very distributed via a range of NRM territorial – for a small bird, they networks, and you will soon find a can be quite vocal, especially when link to the survey on the project in full song. They tend to occur web page below. We’d greatly in small social groups consisting of welcome your participation. one breeding male and several adult https://research.csiro.au/ females or young birds. Often they biodiversity-knowledge/projects/ can be seen as a group out feeding, recent-history-climate-driven- ‘chattering’ amongst themselves ecological-change-australia/ while they hop along the ground. Generally they feed in bursts For further information please throughout the day, resting in the Photo: Female and male fairy wren. contact [email protected] Photo: 10 yr old Tom Davies. Photo: Eucalyptus gunni mortality Central Plateau. The Running Postman • June 2017 June 2017 • The Running Postman 11 Photo: Suzanne Prober. Selling Future events property?
Conservation Landholders Tasmania If you have a conservation covenant over your property and are thinking Conservation landholders are welcome to participate in the following events: of selling, you should keep in mind Saturday 25 November 2017, Managing riverside vegetation in conservation areas that anyone involved in the sale Conservation Landholders Tasmania is teaming up with Mount Roland Rivercare process (e.g. agents, lawyers) need to group to jointly host a field day in the Cradle Coast NRM region on the topic of be informed of the covenant and its maintaining healthy riparian zones. We will hear from scientists and visit an area of implications. exemplary river bank restoration that proved resilient in the June 2016 floods. Prospective buyers and new owners Saturday 17 March 2018, A Devil of a Day must also be informed of the covenant on the property title so Learn from experts about some of the work being carried out to save Tasmanian that they can factor this into their Devils and visit Scott Bell’s property near Bridport, which is home to a captive decisions. population of Devils. A covenant may appeal to particular [email protected] To join the CLT email contact list, email Robin Garnett or purchasers and should be promoted [email protected] John Thompson . Invitations are sent out to those on as a valuable aspect of the property. the list a month before each event. Stewardship Officers are happy to 2017 National Private Land Conservation Conference talk to prospective buyers regarding the natural values and how to manage The 2017 National Private Land Conservation Conference will be held in Hobart them in accordance with your from 18-20 October at the Hobart Function and Conference Centre, 1 Elizabeth agreement. Street Pier, Hobart. We often find that buyers of Land The theme will be ‘Valuing Nature’ and there will be a diverse and engaging spread for Wildlife (LFW) properties are of expert speakers. The full program will be released soon. Registration opens 21 keen to enter the program so that August 2017. they can get involved in more active For more information visit the conference website at http://plc-conference.org.au/ conservation management. We therefore also ask LFW owners who are selling to notify us so that Private Land Conservation Program participants we can make contact with the new as at June 2017 owners and see if they would like to Number of covenants 840 107,054 hectares keep the property in the program. Land for Wildlife members 949 57,615 hectares Gardens for Wildlife members 581 2,830 hectares Contacts Please note that some landowners are registered with more than one program and Stewardship there is some overlap in the figures presented. Anna Povey (North) 0498 800 611 Andrew Cameron (North) 0417 361 998 0407 352 479 Post or email Oliver Strutt (South) Land For Wildlife Just a reminder that if you would prefer to receive your copy of Iona Mitchell 6165 4409 The Running Postman by email please contact the PLCP on 6165 4409 or [email protected] BL11179
Natural and Cultural Heritage Private Land Conservation Program 134 Macquarie Street Hobart GPO Box 44 Hobart TAS 7001 www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/plcp