Conservation in Tasmania’s biodiversity hotspot Photo: Matthew Newton

“Beaufront” near Ross in the Tasmanian midlands We are pleased to announce seed The land between Tasmania’s Great Issue 20 Autumn 09 funding for a new and very important Western Tiers and the east coast range midlands conservation initiative with represents one of Australia’s handful Protecting the midlands partners Bush Heritage Australia of national biodiversity hotspots, the TLC revolving fund update (BHA) and the Tasmanian Government grassy lowland plains of the Tasmanian Official launch of the Vale of Belvoir Department of Primary Industries and midlands. The region was defined as a TLC bequests Water (DPIW). hotspot due to the large number of species The life of Lindsay Whitham that are endemic (unique) to the area, Drought-ravaged landscapes, dust storms and because it is a refuge for a number and plans for grand irrigation schemes, it of marsupials that are endangered on the all sounds like the Murray–Darling basin, Board Members mainland, such as the spotted-tailed quoll but surprisingly, these images describe (Dasyurus maculatus) and the eastern the current situation in Tasmania’s Mr Peter Bosworth (President) barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii). midlands. Dr Geoff Couser (Vice President) There is also significant pressure on these Dr Karina Potter (Secretary) Whether it is climate change at work or natural features from a range of land-uses Ms Jane Hutchinson just a blip in the weather patterns, drought that has altered habitat over the years. Ms Sophie Underwood is not the only issue. Land managers in Dr Wendy Potts the region are also concerned about the Although federal funding has been Mr Matt Newton long-term viability of farming systems, invested in a system of protected areas on Mr John Ramsay their impact on the environment and the private land in recent years, there are still Mr Roderic O’Connor potential social and cultural effects on large gaps. Critically, less than four per Mrs Susan Gough their rural communities. cent of the midlands region is protected Mr Sam McCullough in secure reserves, making the region a A proposal for a significant increase in the priority for conservation. Because 98 area under irrigation in the midlands may per cent of the land is privately owned, Contact Us provide new agricultural opportunities, frequently by families who have been in Nathan Males (Chief Executive Officer) but is potentially a new threat to the the area for generations, working with midlands native grassy ecosystems. PO Box 2112, Lower Sandy Bay, TAS 7005 landowners is the only way to achieve Tel: 03 6225 1399 Fax: 03 6225 1394 The underlying message is clear: action effective conservation in the midlands. is urgently needed in this region if we are Recognising this, Bush Heritage, the to keep the island’s unique wildlife. www.tasland.org.au [email protected] Tasmanian Land Conservancy and ABN 887 43 606 934 ‘protecting Tasmanian land for biodiversity’ Tasmanian Land Conservancy - Issue 20 www.tasland.org.au Photo: Daniel Sprod Photo: Department of Primary Industries and Water Ephemeral wetland on Wetmore in the heart of the midlands Silky bushpea (Pultenaea prostrata) (continued from page 1) Midland’s ecology The Department of Primary Industries the Australian Government’s National Many visitors to Tasmania are surprised and Water have formed a partnership Reserve System Program, to develop when they see the dry midlands to provide new opportunities for a Conservation Action Plan and a landscape. In fact the lowland grasslands landowners in the midlands who are business plan addressing the long-term receive around 450 mm of rainfall interested in making their conservation implementation of the project. a year, comparable to famously dry efforts generate income. The partnership areas of inland Victoria and New South The completed business plan explores will explore new and existing models Wales such as Bendigo and Dubbo. The new and existing models for protecting of conservation management on private surrounding ranges soak up most of conservation values, and provides land, with a particular emphasis on multi- the rain, leaving the midlands in a rain investors with costings and likely generational timescales. shadow. outcomes. The partner organisations are already The lowland landscape formed along It proposes a two-pronged approach working with a number of landowners, a geological fault, which filled with encompassing both the acquisition of land as the two groups share many common water to form a shallow lake that over and conservation covenants with current conservation goals. For landowners, any thousands of years silted up to become landowners, and the establishment of a conservation initiative must also take an alluvial plain. Dotted along the fault long-term fund to pay for conservation into account the social and economic was a chain of volcanoes that helped to actions by partner landowners. impacts on their farms and on the broader create the fertile basalt soils that occur on midlands community. The project’s commitment to both the valley floor. socially and ecologically sustainable A key message from landowners is that Far from being a drawback, the outcomes has led to The Sidney Myer conservation agreements and support combination of fertile soils and low Fund recently committing $2 million for conservation action need to be rainfall provides perfect conditions for additional support to the project. ongoing and keep pace with the costs of grassy ecosystems to thrive. The mosaic management. This seed funding will be used to begin of grassy ecosystems, dry woodlands work on both arms of the project – and forests provides a complex pattern “Since I started farming more than initial acquisitions and set-up costs for of habitats that are ideal for wildlife, 30 years ago I have had a growing landowner partnerships, and to establish such as the endangered Tasmanian devil awareness that biodiversity conservation a trust fund which will provide funding (Sarcophilus harrisii). and its broader benefits, provision down the generations. of clean water, carbon sinks, plant The grasslands and ephemeral wetlands pollination, natural pest control, healthy While considerable further support will are particularly important as they form soils, nutrient recycling, etc, should be be required to secure the project, this the stronghold for a range of threatened an integral part of the farming enterprise generous initial funding has recognised and endemic species: the pungent and balance sheet. This new partnership the significance of Tasmania’s midlands. leek-orchid (Prasophyllum olidum), recognises this reality and I look forward The foundations are in place and the silky bushpea (Pultenaea prostrata), to being part of making it happen,” states process of seeking funding, building new grasslands paper daisy (Leucochrysum Andrew Cameron, farmer and partnership partnerships and strengthening existing albicans) and midlands buttercup coordinator. reserves is about to begin. (Ranunculus prasinus) to name a few. The surrounding woodlands and forests The partnership received initial financial Matt Appleby (BHA) are also home to the Tasmanian bettong support from The Myer Foundation and Nathan Males (TLC) and (Bettongia gaimardi), a species now John Harkin (DPIW) extinct on mainland Australia. ‘protecting Tasmanian land for biodiversity’ www.tasland.org.au Tasmanian Land Conservancy - Issue 20 Photo: Jim Mulcahy Photo: Malcolm Wells and the Arts Water Photo: Department of Heritage, Environment, Golfers leek-orchid (Prasophyllum incorrectum) FOR SALE - Risdon Peppermint, near Hobart Federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett Midland’s orchids Revolving fund Supporter news Ecologists use a number of different The Australian Government has recently The bank of the Huon river at Franklin techniques to gauge the health of announced an extension of the Forest provided the perfect location to celebrate ecosystems. The presence of particular Conservation Fund’s Revolving Fund for the official inclusion of the Egg Islands species that play a key role or reflect a a further five years until 30 June 2014. reserve into Australia’s national reserve functioning ecosystem are often used as a system, and the public launch of our Vale The revolving fund of over $6,000,000 surrogate for more detailed investigations. of Belvoir campaign. has allowed the TLC to invest over In the Tasmanian midlands, orchids are $3,000,000 in high conservation value On 28th January 2009, nearly 200 often a useful indicator. Native pastures properties across Tasmania. TLC supporters joined the celebration that have been disturbed in the past by with special guest speakers, Federal If you are interested in finding out more ploughing and fertilisers will usually Environment Minister, Peter Garrett about these wonderful properties that have few orchids other than the common and Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick, are now covenanted and available for onion orchid (Microtis unifolia). These UTAS. The federal government granted sale, please contact either Rod Pearse disturbances harm the delicate symbiosis $800,000 towards the purchase of the or Jim Mulcahy at the TLC, or visit our between mycorrhizal fungi and the roots Vale, and in a very sad but wonderful website. of the orchids. act of generosity, the Duncan family, We currently have ten properties for sale Fred, Peter and Breona donated $2000 in Orchids usually depend on insects to with more becoming available shortly. memory of Diana Duncan, who had died pollinate the flowers, and in some species Please contact us if you can imagine that morning. Their donation reflected the orchids have developed flowers that yourself owning your own Tasmanian Diana’s passionate work for Tasmanian mimic the shape of a particular insect in nature reserve! conservation, and marked the official order to attract them. The flow-on effects public launch for the Vale of Belvoir. of disturbance can be far-reaching in both composition and resilience to future Properties for sale include: Thank you to our guest speakers, the disturbances. Living Boat Trust and the Wooden Boat Chimneys Lagoon School for their involvement and support Today there are six species of orchid On the fringe of St Helens, this tranquil 27.4 for the event. endemic to the midlands that are either hectare conservation treasure offers a endangered or critically endangered. Most perfect retreat and lifestyle opportunity. We will be writing to all our supporters are found only in a handful of sites, such Comprising both coastal forest and a shortly to update you on the Vale of as the pungent leek orchid (Prasophyllum gorgeous wetland, it offers home to diverse Belvoir appeal and to let you know how olidum) and the midlands greenhood water-birds and an array of threatened you can help us to reach our goal. orchid (Pterostylis commutata). Native species. Offers around $197,500 invited. grasslands and grassy woodlands are of high conservation priority as those Risdon Peppermint, Bridgewater patches in excellent condition are habitat With spectacular views of the Derwent River, TLC reserve management to most of these orchids. this 31 ha property features the rare Risdon If you represent a community group or are a peppermint eucalypt, and is also habitat for Call for volunteers - We are organising community-minded individual and require a the rare Swift parrot. It offers several great volunteer working bees on our reserves. If facility for meetings, workshops or exhibitions, house sites and could accommodate a you would like to find out more, please call please contact us if you would like to use our range of pursuits. Offers around $370,000 are the office on 6225 1399 or email Gallery meeting room at 827 Sandy Bay Rd. invited. [email protected] ‘protecting Tasmanian land for biodiversity’ Tasmanian Land Conservancy - Issue 20 Photo: Kate Kelly Photo: Wendy Whitham Photo: Wendy Tom Hay relaxing in Melbourne Lindsay Whitham at the Waterworks TLC bequests Celebrating the life of Lindsay Whitham

One comfort regarding our mortality is to In 2008 the TLC received a generous Tasmania and in particular the bush. know that a portion of our accumulated bequest from the will of loyal friend, As children, we were taken to many of wealth will be clearly allocated to a Lindsay Whitham. Lindsay had been a Dad’s favourite locations, including Mt worthwhile cause upon our death. strong supporter of the TLC since 2003. Wellington, Lake Dobson and Tarn Shelf, Concerns for future biodiversity in our In his memory, his children Wendy and and the Hartz Mountains. magnificent island home are high and to Philip, have provided an insight into his Dad did some longer walks as a young know we continue to help past our life- affinity with Tasmania. man, including Precipitous Bluff via the time is very gratifying. “Dad was born in Lindisfarne in Southern Ranges and the Cradle Mt Lake To have supporters nominate the TLC as February 1918. He died in Hobart in St Clair overland route, but most of his a beneficiary in their will is of incredible April 2008, aged 90, after living most walking was in the form of day walks. importance and significance to us. of his life in Tasmania. He knew the In his retirement, he started walking with Ensuring the TLC’s vision of protecting island well, having spent his youth a group of friends on Fridays, a day that biodiversity over time is essential. Our moving from place to place as his father was the highlight of his week for over 30 ongoing ability to continue our urgent took up new teaching positions. At years. He walked well into his 80s and and exciting conservation efforts is different times and for varying periods, whenever we returned to Hobart to visit underpinned by the generosity of our he lived in St Helens, Macquarie Plains, him we enjoyed walking with the Friday bequesters. Forest, Lindisfarne, Strahan, Deloraine, Walkers as honorary members of the Geeveston, Launceston, Ulverstone, group. One such person was Tom Hay who will Sassafras, Devonport and Hobart. be remembered by many as a beautiful While he didn’t claim any particular and insightful young man with a passion He became familiar with more of the expertise, Dad enjoyed identifying the for the natural environment and social state through his work for the Hydro- plants he saw during his walks, an interest justice. In Tom’s will he bequeathed the Electric Commission as a civil engineer, he passed on to both of us. In his later bulk of his estate to us – a most humbling through bushwalking from the 1940s, years, he developed a special interest in and moving gesture. and later through his increasing interest Tasmania’s native orchids and would in the old railways and tramways of frequently visit particular locations to We would love to assist with any Tasmania, especially on the West Coast. check on progress. A favourite spot for a questions for information regarding our bequests fund, so please call Amanda He joined the Hobart Walking Club in short “orchid walk” and a cuppa was the Sully on 03 6225 1399 or see our website 1945, becoming president in 1957/58. Waterworks. It was at the Waterworks for more details. His interest in history led in 2002 to that we also celebrated his 90th birthday the Tasmanian Historical Research in February last year. Our heartfelt thanks go to those who Association publishing his book, During his life, Dad was a generous have included us in their wills and for Railways, Mines, Pubs and People. the generous foresight of those already supporter of a number of bodies departed. While he was happy to travel, especially associated with conservation, including within Australia, Dad’s real love was the Tasmanian Land Conservancy.” We are grateful to the following organisations for their support in recent months

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