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2009–10 Conservation Report

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2009–10 Conservation Report 365 Days ANNUAL CONSERVATION REPORT 2009–2010 The sun rises over forested ridges at Yourka Reserve Photograph by Wayne Lawler / Ecopix 3 CEO’s Report “This year, images of our western Queensland reserves in fl ood have gone around the world. Our presence and profi le in the media has grown and our support base has increased as more of our supporters share the Bush Heritage story.” Doug Humann, Chief Executive Offi cer My fi rst view of the far-west Queensland property These changes refl ect larger changes in the of Ethabuka Reserve was from 6000 ft above the landscape under Bush Heritage’s stewardship. ground. It was 2002 and we were assessing the A recent report on our fi rst fi ve years of management 213,300-hectare property by light plane, in view at Ethabuka illustrates how our practical science of a potential purchase. The desert loomed as a and management is driving conservation outcomes: veil of red approaching from the dusty clay of the protected springs; reduced impacts of feral animals; Diamantina channel country. The dunes were and return of rarely seen fauna such as the desert devoid of vegetation following recent massive short-tailed mouse (read about it on page 17). wildfi res. The earth was parched, the cattle poorly At the same time we are building relationships nourished and an air of desperation hung over with partners, neighbours and collaborators: the the landscape. country’s traditional owners (the Wangkamadla In 2010 Ethabuka’s landscape tells a very different people, who’ve recently conducted cultural values story. Rain has fallen consistently for the entire year. assessments there); neighbours like the North Cattle are long-gone. A soil crust and ground cover Australian Pastoral Company and local shires; has returned. The dunes are capped with fl owering and the University of Sydney’s Desert Ecology vegetation and there is extensive evidence of the Research Group who’ve been undertaking ground- desert’s fauna bouncing back. breaking research at Ethabuka for 20 years. Standing on a sand dune on a visit in June, This year, images of our western Queensland with the morning sun on our backs, Bush Heritage reserves in fl ood have gone around the world. supporters and I marvelled at the abundance of Our presence and profi le in the media has grown tracks in the sand demonstrating extraordinary and our support base has increased as more of night time activity, and at delicate dunnarts our supporters share the Bush Heritage story. and planigales trapped overnight as part of our Thank you for your support this year. Together ecological monitoring program (they were later we have already achieved an enormous amount. set free). These rarely seen native mammals, along Stay with us – we have bold plans to do much more. with wheeling budgerigars and abundant insect life, are a testimony to the health of the landscapes in our care. Doug Humann Chief Executive Offi cer 4 President’s Report “This remarkable organisation has grown to 70 dedicated staff, a solid Board of Directors, several hundred volunteers and thousands of supporters.” Louise Sylvan, President In the 1970s my late husband, Richard Sylvan, And so it was with delight that, in 1991, we witnessed Left: Photograph by and I found ourselves contemplating the fact that the birth of the then Australian Bush Heritage Fund, becwalton.com.au Australia’s unique biodiversity was being driven an organisation that would protect special places, Right: Photograph to the edge of viability . Richard had nurtured a and their plants and wildlife forever. We decided by Steve Lovegrove passion for the Australian bush before I came to to donate Burrin Burrin and ‘Nameless’: they are this country and once I experienced the bush for now on the list of reserves that you, as a supporter, myself, it was impossible not to share his concerns. help to protect. The number of landscapes we protect We wanted to do something about it. together continue to grow – that means the task is bigger but that is just what we hoped for. Richard had come across a bushland property destined to be cleared for forestry or farming and Now, as Bush Heritage approaches its 20th decided to buy it – to protect it forever, for the birds anniversary, it’s a unique honour to be involved and animals that live there. He called it Burrin Burrin, directly as President in this critical task. a little piece of quiet and beauty that remains among This remarkable organisation has grown to 70 the busyness of the farming that surrounds it. We dedicated staff, a solid Board of Directors, several found a second property, a place where platypuses hundred volunteers and thousands of supporters. live in the creeks and waterfalls, where you can stand My deep thanks go to every one of those people, among the trees and look all the way out to sea and and especially to you – our supporters, who not called it ‘Nameless’. only provide the means to protect Australia’s But we knew the task of conservation was bigger priceless gems but who also create the energy and than a few, even totally committed, people could enthusiasm for this great venture that we share. manage – something you, our supporters, We’ve got a big goal, to have 1% of Australia under understand all too well. our wing by 2025. We’ll need your help to get there. Louise Sylvan President 5 Our People Friend of the Bush Workplace giving champion Margaret Fry David Cook-Doulton The Bush Heritage community is made up of passionate people, who each contribute in their own special way. Friends of the Bush like Margaret allow us David’s workplace, JB Hi-Fi, matches employees’ to plan for the long term. We can rely on her donations to Bush Heritage, dollar-for-dollar. automatic monthly donations to fund ongoing Their contribution has helped to improve facilities work like fi re management and feral control and liveability for Reserve Managers at Charles on all your reserves. Darwin Reserve. “I like natural surfaces – native plants, fl ower “I’ve always been interested in plants and trees, formations, wonderful barks, leaves. For me, rocks, maybe because I come from a family of avid plants and textiles are all connected. I did a science gardeners and grew up in the country. degree and worked as a geologist, and then I studied fi ne-arts. Now I’m a highschool teacher of science, I saw how fragile it all was – maths and fashion. wildlife just hanging on In my twenties I worked in the mining industry and became very aware of the damage that can be done. in small areas that hadn’t When I heard about Bush Heritage buying back the been cleared. bush, I thought it was a great thing to support. I like I decided to support Bush Heritage because it sees the idea of creating corridors between bushland, and the value in these pieces of land. protecting areas of particular biodiversity. As Category Development Manager of JB Hi-Fi, I get Our whole family likes to read and talk about the a lot of feedback, so I knew there was a voice in stores Bush Heritage newsletters. My thirteen-year-old around environmental issues. It made sense for an daughter is very interested, so it crosses all environmental organisation to be represented on the generations. Being a teacher, I see that kids often company’s charity committee. The great thing about don’t know what they can do.” workplace giving for any organisation is it makes It’s great when you can say, giving very easy. Recently I got the chance to visit Yourka Reserve, ‘Here’s how we can help’. which was wonderful. You can see all the hard work Bush Heritage is doing. It’s amazing to see just how resilient wildlife can be.” Photograph by becwalton.com.au Photograph by becwalton.com.au 6 Bush Heritage volunteer Philanthropist Jeanettte Kemp Peter Edwards As Principal Botanist for the Queensland Peter’s ongoing donations have made an Herbarium, Jeanette has provided invaluable extraordinary difference to Cravens Peak and expertise to our ecologists protecting species other reserves. His pledge to remember us in at Yourka and Ethabuka reserves. his Will also allows us to plan for the future. “I love my job as a botanist but I wanted to use “I was on the land until the age of 48. I think that’s my skills to contribute to the environment, so where my love of nature comes from. These days I decided to volunteer for Bush Heritage. In the I can’t get out into the bush, but I’ve got a little back last year, I’ve taken part in ecological surveys at yard of native plants. Yourka and Ethabuka. When we were younger, my brother and I found On a typical day, we get up at fi rst light and check ourselves on land riddled with rabbits and overtaken the pitfall traps and the fi sh traps – we identify with wattle. I didn’t know when to stop clearing, species and take measurements. Then we drive but it’s no good living with regret. With the benefi t around to the monitoring sites to measure changes of hindsight, I’ve made a 180-degree turn. in vegetation cover and species. It gives me fulfi lment because I’m doing something I’ve donated to Bush Heritage useful, and I meet like-minded people. Sometimes since the very beginning, you forget there are lots of people who are passionately and have left a large part of my estate to Bush interested in the environment, who love getting out Heritage in my will.
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