www.bushheritage.org.au In this issue »» A new acquisition in the west »» Bird monitoring at Bush Heritage News »» Behind the scenes on a guided tour »» A new Indigenous Protected Autumn 2010 Area in the north

Wildlife-rich jewel saved from the bulldozers

Charlotte Francis tells of Bush Heritage’s new Above: The malleefowl nest found at Monjebup acquisition in the west. North. PhotoS: Jiri Lochman.

hen Gondwana Link Coordinator aim of Gondwana Link is to conserve, Heritage’s existing Monjebup Reserve W Keith Bradby first visited Monjebup restore and reconnect a 1000 km to the south and Corackerup Public North in south-west Western , pathway of native vegetation stretching Nature Reserve to the north. ‘With this there was a bulldozer sitting in the middle from the far south-west of Western final acquisition all these bits, together of a block of bushland. ‘A few hundred Australia to the edge of the Nullarbor. with properties held by other Gondwana Link groups, bolt together to create a hectares of valuable sand heath had The acquisition of Monjebup North large rectangle of healthy bush,’ says already been cleared,’ says Keith. ‘Luckily Reserve marks the successful Keith Bradby. the bulldozer had broken down, which completion of several years of planning prevented further clearing taking place.’ and negotiations. The property is prized Working with the former owner in Now, thanks to the generosity of our not only for its high conservation values, a gradual phase-out of the current partner The Nature Conservancy and but also for its location in the heart lease, Bush Heritage plans to restore an anonymous donor, Bush Heritage of the Fitz-Stirling region (the area the reserve’s 435 ha of cleared has acquired this wildlife-rich property between the Stirling Range and the farmland over the next three years and will be able to secure its rare and Fitzgerald National Parks). Comprising by revegetating with a mix of locally sourced native seed. threatened plants and animals for 1107 ha in total, the reserve is made up of 435 ha of cleared farmland and 672 the future. Monjebup North reserve Monjebup North Reserve represents a ha of bushland. is the sixth property in the visionary significant milestone in Bush Heritage’s Gondwana Link project in Western The reserve provides an essential overall goals of restoring ecological Australia. A multi-partner initiative, the ecological link between Bush integrity in the Fitz-Stirling region.

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Left: Mallee woodland. Photo: Marie Lochman. Right: Monjebup North is part of the visionary Gondwana Link project, which Kalgoorlie aims to reconnect fragmented patches of bush in south-west Western Australia. Perth Below, top to bottom: MaMoort (Eucalyptus platypus). Photo: Marie Margaret Lochman. Yate swamp undergrowth. River Albany Bushy yate (Eucalyptus lehmannii ). Gondwana Link Photos: Jiri Lochman.

0300 600 Kilometres

Monjebup North Perth Reserve ‘One of the best ways to prepare the other partners such as Greening landscape to withstand the impacts of Australia and neighbouring landowners, climate change is to re-link isolated the management of Monjebup North We would like to acknowledge The Nature patches of bush and replant the cleared will be integrated with that of the Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy’s areas with native vegetation,’ explains other Bush Heritage and partner David Thomas Challenge for their generous support of this work. Bush Heritage Ecologist Angela properties. The initial focus will be on Sanders. Threatened species that will updating the fire management plan benefit from habitat restoration work and controlling foxes, cats and rabbits. include Carnaby’s black cockatoo, Another priority will be to reduce the the western whipbird and the spread of phytophthora, a dieback tammar wallaby. disease that poses a serious threat to So far over 8800 ha of land have been heath communities (such as banksia, brought into conservation management dryandra, grevillea and hakea) that are and approximately 1500 ha have been a vital food source for native fauna successfully revegetated in the Fitz- and invertebrates. Stirling area. At nearby Chereninup Creek Monitoring sites will be set up within the Reserve, for example, mallee-feeding birds target conservation areas across the such as the purple-gaped honeyeater and reserve to measure the effectiveness of the southern scrub robin are returning, land management activities. ‘We will be along with increased numbers of honey looking at changes in vegetation, bird and possums and pygmy possums. other animal populations,’ explains Angela The on-ground management activities Sanders. ‘For example, we will gauge at Monjebup North will focus on the the success of the feral animal control six conservation targets identified program by monitoring populations of in Gondwana Link’s Fitz-Stirling black-gloved and tammar wallabies.’ region management plan. Five of these occur on the property: creek Initial surveys of parts of the reserve systems; proteaceous-rich (heath have revealed some rare finds, type) communities; mallet and moort including an endangered orchid, a woodlands; yate trees; and tammar eucalypt found only within a 12 km and black-gloved wallabies. Survey radius, a malleefowl nest on a low and monitoring work along Monjebup cliff line, and a black-gloved wallaby. North Creek will look at the health of ‘It’s amazing that we’ve discovered the creek lines and establish whether so many wildlife species and plant freshwater communities – the sixth communities in such a limited time’ conservation target – occur here. says Angela Sanders. ‘We plan to Bush Heritage’s Gondwana Link undertake more detailed survey work Landscape Manager Simon Smale in the future and it augurs well for explains how, in collaboration with exciting discoveries.’ ■

2 Autumn 2010

Left to right: Salt lake, Charles Darwin Reserve. A cluster of Major Mitchell cockatoos. Regent parrot. Photos: Dale Fuller.

The beating of wings on Charles Darwin Reserve

Ecological Outcomes Monitoring additional species per site) and a 45 per while conditions may have deteriorated, Coordinator, Jim Radford, looks cent increase in total abundance per site the reserve still contained some of the back over the first four years from 2005 to 2006 and 2007. However, best feeding areas in the region and was a refuge for birds during stressful of bird monitoring on Charles both indicators had receded back to 2005 levels by 2008. This pattern was times. This demonstrates the importance Darwin Reserve to reveal some observed for most groups of birds except of considering ecological changes on interesting trends. nectar-feeding birds, which remained our reserves within a broader landscape he unique location of Charles Darwin high in 2008. context because species will move around the landscape in response to TReserve, at the junction of two major Interpreting these patterns is challenging. botanical provinces, is responsible for the variations in resource availability. What The initial increases (2005 to 2007) extraordinary diversity of plants found there. happens on our reserves will be a product may be a result of removing stock and This diversity of plants and landscapes of our management but also of what’s controlling feral animals (especially goats), means that it also supports an abundance happening elsewhere in the region. leading to increased plant growth and of birdlife. More than 100 bird species have availability of food resources such as The future been recorded so far. Several of these are insects, nectar, seeds and fruit. However, Understanding ecological systems and threatened – such as the iconic malleefowl this appears to be only part of the story their response to management takes and Major Mitchell cockatoo – and many and does not explain the dip in 2008. time and patience. The variation in the others are of conservation concern, including bird data shows the importance of Rainfall is a key influence on wildlife, and the Australian bustard, regent parrot, rufous annual monitoring and taking a long-term treecreeper and white-browed babbler. there is often a lag between good rainfall perspective so as not to become overly and increases in bird populations. Rainfall pessimistic or optimistic about year-to- Bush Heritage purchased the reserve at Charles Darwin Reserve was about year changes in particular species. Real in 2003 and we have been monitoring average between 2004 and 2006, well change may take decades to become bird populations each spring since 2005, below average in 2007 and slightly above apparent. After four years of monitoring, as part of our long-term Ecological average in 2008. The increases detected we are starting to build a picture of the Outcomes Monitoring (EOM) program. between 2005 and 2007 were probably ‘background’ variation due to rainfall and There are now more than 80 permanent a result of our changed land management wider landscape factors, against which monitoring sites that are representative regimes. However, the decline in many longer-term change can be compared. of the underlying variation in geology, bird groups in 2008 may be a legacy of As we continue to collect data, we will soil type and topography. This monitoring the very dry conditions in 2007, when be able to examine the influence of effort, conducted with the help of Bush breeding success would have been very fire history, grazing management, feral Heritage supporters and volunteers, low and some species may have sought herbivore control and other management provides powerful indicators of ecosystem better conditions elsewhere. interventions on the bird community, and health and is starting to pay dividends: integrate the results of monitoring into the Why didn’t the nectar-feeding birds also several interesting trends are emerging management review process on Charles decrease in 2008? Many nectar-feeding that will inform future management. Darwin Reserve. ■ birds are highly mobile nomads that Trends in species richness and abundance traverse the landscape in search of the Bush Heritage’s Ecological Outcomes Monitoring program is generously supported by the We detected a 25 per cent increase best feeding patches. Their continued Macquarie Group in total species richness (about two abundance in 2007–08 suggests that, Foundation.

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Pentland Mount Isa Exploring Cloncurry Richmond Cravens Peak RY Reserve Winton RRI TO

Cravens Peak N TE Diamantina Longreach Ethabuka National Park Barcaldine RT HER Reserve NO Reserve Astrebla Downs Blackall National Park

Simpson Desert National Park N SOUTH AUSTRALIA

0300 Kilometres

Bush Heritage Visitation Coordinator Eve Jani describes the Brisbane visual, educational and culinary delights of a three-day guided tour of Cravens Peak Reserve in western Queensland.

he engines of our 4WD vehicles Waverley in Victoria and Beachmere the bore while paying close attention Troared to life at 8.30am on Saturday in Queensland. to the group of large strangers looming 2 August 2009; the convoy snaked around their waterhole. For the next 30 km we travelled through away from the reserve’s homestead. swales, each with their own unique Back at camp we sat around a gidgee- Destination: Plum Pudding, our base vegetation type, varying from bloodwood, wood fire, birdwatching with a sunset camp for the next two nights. grevillea, hakea, cassia and coolibah drink in hand, as the sky progressed Not far beyond the homestead gates, to spinifex and even the rarely seen through orange, pink and blue to a stellar Reserve Managers Mark and Nella pituri shrub. We drove over sandy red night sky. After a camp-oven lamb roast Lithgow, stopped to identify a natural dunes, some up to 10 m high, which beside the fire, we retired early to bed revegetation site where a fence had form part of the northern edge of the after our long first day. been removed. . Once at Plum Pudding On the second morning, the drive to campground, we pitched our tents and Our convoy continued north along the S-bend Gorge took us to the reserve’s instructed the group on etiquette for the McDonald Track, travelling past Gay’s north-east boundary. We could see ‘loo with a view’: take the yellow flag in Dune, named for Gay Bell whose evidence of cattle on the other side of to denote ‘occupied’ and return it to the generous bequest allowed Bush Heritage the fence, of the ground cover displaying post to denote ‘vacant’. to secure Cravens Peak Reserve in signs of trampling. In the valley of October 2005. We had explored scats and On our drive out to the east from Plum S-bend Gorge, fruit and billy tea were tracks in the rippled dune and enjoyed Pudding, we stopped at Ocean Bore. provided to fuel our ascent to view the sunset drinks here the night before, The Reserve Managers explained that panoramic vista from the escarpment, with the Mulligan River meandering when John Deer and I – both Visitation this working bore supplied water for through the valley below. Coordinators based in Melbourne – fire management and herbicide use; and Mark and Nella, had introduced meanwhile, we observed a group of As we scrambled through the rocky ourselves to the twelve guests who zebra finches taking it in turns to keep gorge, Mark pointed out a dingo den and had travelled from as far away as Mt watch over their mates who drank from mentioned the findings of a decade-long

4 Autumn 2010

Ethabuka Ecological Survey Trek A procession of camels, red desert sand gather information on the diverse range as far as the eye can see, ecologists of animal species that call Ethabuka hard at work – and you. Australian Desert home. If you have a keen interest in the Expeditions has six places available workings of a scientific and ecological for intrepid, science-minded travellers survey, and you’re ready for a challenge, who want to experience first-hand, an contact Australian Desert Expeditions at ecological expedition to Bush Heritage’s www.desertexpeditions.org in the Simpson Desert. Expeditioners will take part in Ethabuka Ecological Survey Trek field research, assisting ecologist Max Dates: 7–22 June 2010 Price: $5390 Tischler and other leading scientists to including transfers to/from Brisbane

Julia Rau leads the way. PHOTO: ANDREW HARPER. study of Cravens Peak and Ethabuka Ranges. The convoy meandered over Guided Tours Reserve by Professor Chris Dickman’s rough gibber plains and through sandy Why not join one of our guided tours? University of Sydney research team (aka creek beds before arriving at Salty JUNE the ‘rat catchers’). They found evidence Bore escarpment. Guests could either Reserve: Cravens Peak Reserve, Qld of a correlation between an increase in get a lift in the ‘troopy’ (troop carrier) Date: Wed 9–Sun 13 Format: Accommodation in the reserve the populations of dingos and of small or stretch their legs with a steep 50 animals, indicating that, by preying on homestead on first and last nights; other m climb. Everyone agreed that the nights camping. Breakfasts and dinners foxes and cats, dingos contribute to the extraordinary view from the top was provided. 4WD convoy tour over high sand survival of small marsupials such as the dunes with short walks through tracks well worth the effort, highlighting again hairy-footed dunnart and the mulgara. and over rocky terrain. Requirements: the diversity of landscape on Cravens A medium level of fitness; strictly high- After a restful couple of hours exploring Peak Reserve. clearance 4WD to reserve, BYO lunches and Nearest town: the gorge individually at our own pace, camping equipment. Boulia, Our final night back at the homestead 124 km No. of places: 13 Cost: $750 we headed back to base camp, stopping supporters/$850 non-supporters en route to view an erosion site. In the ended with a formal dinner (well, as formal as you get in the outback!) and AUGUST early 1990s, after a heavy, 24-hour Reserve: Bon Bon Station Reserve, SA downpour, an entire dune was cut in an art auction of plant and landscape Date: Fri 20 – Mon 23 half by run-off from the gibber plain sketches completed during the tour, Format: Share accommodation provided or generously donated by two of the option to camp near homestead. Breakfasts – a tangible reminder of the extremes and dinners provided. 4WD convoy tour of weather that can be experienced guests, the Safstroms. We enjoyed through challenging terrain with occasional in Australia’s arid zone. Again our day bidding for a keepsake of our trip and short walks. Requirements: A medium level of fitness; strictly high-clearance 4WD to reserve, ended around the fire, feasting on knowing the profits would go towards BYO lunches (and camping equipment if you camp-oven beef stew with couscous, camping equipment on the reserve for chose to camp). Nearest town: Glendambo, followed by chocolate baked banana future tours. Although a diverse group 100 km No. of places: 10 Cost: $730 supporters/$830 non-supporters with custard, while guests took it in turn of people, a bond had formed between to tell jokes or entertain with some good us over the last four days, established SEPTEMBER old Australian bush poetry. through our shared experiences and Reserve: Nardoo Hills reserves, Vic. Date: Saturday 25 The third and final day of the tour began an increased knowledge of what we Format: Morning tea on arrival and with packing up camp and heading are helping to protect on Cravens walking tour (some uneven ground) with Reserve Manager. 2WD access to reserve. ■ north towards the Toko and Toomba Peak Reserve. Requirements: A medium level of fitness is required. BYO lunch. Nearest town: Wedderburn, 12 km No. of places: 25 Cost: $30 supporters/$40 non-supporters For a full list of guided tours for 2010 and information about other forms of visitation, refer to our website, www.bushheritage.org.au/ getting_involved_visit. Please note that bookings are essential for Left to right: Enjoying sunset drinks. ‘Eco’ all visits to our reserves. To book your place billy tea with the Lithgows. Zebra finches. on any of the tours listed above, please Dune driving. PHOTOS: EVE JANI. contact us on 1300 NATURE (1300 628 873) Above, left to right: Scats and tracks in or email [email protected] Gay’s Dune. PHOTO: EVE JANI.

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Above, left to right: Fire workshop at Kabulwarnamyo: Wardekken rangers work with scientists to research how traditional fire practices can reduce carbon emissions. Wardekken, Djelk and Wanga Djakamirr rangers and other stakeholders gathered to discuss strategic regional weed management. PhotoS: Lyndall McLean

Working together for Conservation on Country

The Wardekken traditional lands in the Northern Territory have recently been declared an Indigenous Protected Area. Indigenous Programs Officer Emma Ignjic explains Bush Heritage’s involvement.

s part of our Conservation on fund so supporters can help to finance frequent, extensive hot fires), increased ACountry program, Bush Heritage future conservation actions. numbers and distribution of feral animals works in partnership with the Wardekken (principally pigs and buffalo) and the The Arnhem Plateau is a massive people of the West Arnhem Plateau, spread of weeds (giant sensitive plant, sandstone escarpment, deeply carved which borders Kakadu National with rugged gorges. This magnificent mission grass and gamba grass), which Park in the Northern Territory. The bioregion encompasses diverse ecological have invaded vast areas of eucalypt open partnership started three years ago communities such as distinctive sandstone forest, greatly increasing fuel loads and when Bush Heritage, along with WWF- rainforests, mixed eucalypt woodlands and leading to more destructive fires. Australia, provided support to produce floristically rich sandstone heathlands. The a conservation management plan – a In September last year Bush Heritage plateau is highly significant for numerous vital part of the process for declaring an congratulated the Wardekken people nationally and locally listed threatened Indigenous Protected Area (IPA). on the declaration of their country as species including the bustard, northern the Warddeken IPA. Along with the IPA status provides a way for quoll, black wallaroo, the Arnhem Land neighbouring Djelk IPA, this substantial Wardekken people to protect their rock-rat and Oenpelli python. Many protected area encompasses more than traditional country and conserve high- species here occur nowhere else in the two million hectares of Aboriginal land, an value conservation lands as part of world, including 172 plant species, three area marginally bigger than both Nitmiluk the National Reserve System. It also birds, twelve reptiles, five mammals, three and Kakadu National Parks combined. provides ongoing funding for land fish, two frogs and many invertebrates. management employment opportunities This is an opportunity for management For millennia this abundant landscape has which delivers tangible improvements in to be driven by the Indigenous been the home country of the Warddeken the health and wellbeing of Indigenous custodians, as part of the process traditional owners (Bininj Kunwok clans communities. However, additional of reoccupying the Arnhem Plateau who collectively refer to themselves as the funding and resources are required to and re-establishing land management Stone Country people). The health and rich enable Wardekken people to leverage regimes informed by their ecological biodiversity of the area has been shaped, other opportunities to care for their knowledge and cultural imperatives, maintained and cared for through ongoing country and communities. Bush Heritage along with contemporary Western traditional land management practices. has supported the development of science. A high level of consultation effective, sustainable governance Aboriginal people dispersed from their and cooperation between all sectors mechanisms for the management of country following the Second World War of the community will achieve the both Warddeken IPA and the adjacent and now the Arnhem Plateau bioregion protection and effective management Djelk IPA, as well as the establishment is facing a number of significant threats, of this outstandingly diverse and of a legal framework and endowment including altered fire regimes (more rich region. ■

6 Autumn 2010

The Gondwana Link project and the No Bush Heritage reserve or partnership From the CEO acquisition of Monjebup North are a can exist without the financial assistance good illustration of the way in which that you, our regular supporters, provide. The acquisition of Monjebup North Bush Heritage works. Every property This enables our professional staff, Reserve in Western Australia, Bush Heritage becomes involved with working with volunteers and partners, to announced in this newsletter, completes identify, assess, acquire and then manage is significant in its own right for the an important landscape link in the properties – for the long term. This is no plants and animals, or communities, Gondwana Link project and brings to easy task, as it involves considering how 32 the number of reserves owned by that it protects. Each forms part of a these areas can best be managed for the Bush Heritage nationally. broader picture in a landscape context. next 100 years or more while also dealing Each property is connected to a range with the immediate land-management This is Bush Heritage’s first acquisition of partnerships that contribute to issues. Over summer our reserves have in over twelve months, following more effective management, both for experienced the extremes of fire and consolidation in the face of the global the reserve itself and, we hope, for flood, but reserve management staff and financial crisis. With your help we have the broader landscape. And particular volunteers have again come up trumps. If withstood the uncertainties of that period properties also contribute in individual you have access to the internet you can and strengthened Bush Heritage’s read more about this online. staffing and processes. Bush Heritage ways: a number of recently acquired Thank you for your continuing support now owns and manages almost 1 reserves are helping to build resilience of Bush Heritage as we move towards million ha of land and, through various in the face of climate change. Monjebup our 2025 vision of owning or managing partnership agreements, supports the North, for example, is part of a connected 1 per cent of Australia. management of a further 2.5 million ha landscape across more than 32 km for nature conservation. Currently we of south-western Australia which will are doing the groundwork for further afford increased protection for species strategic acquisitions and for the as diverse and important as the carpet development of key partnerships which python, black-gloved and tammar will be rolled out over coming months. wallabies and honey possum. Doug Humann, CEO

Left to right: A scaly visitor (the long- snouted lashtail), , WA. Photo: Elizabeth Lescheid. Honey possum. Photo: Jiri Lochman

and Robert and Patricia Perry gave in In memoriam memory of Mervyn Perry. In celebration Many family and friends of Nicola Loffler Helen Simpson made a donation in Tristan Blakers donated in honour of donated in her memory; she was a memory of Norma Bartlett on behalf of Andrew Blakers and Heather Neilson. passionate defender of the environment. Andrew Johnson made a donation for Merril Brandenburg donated in memory of the Deepdene Scottish Country Dance Clive Davis of Corinda. Group, of which Norma was a member Kinara Johnson’s birthday ‘to help save and former president. Norma and her the Tasmanian devils’. Friends and family made gifts in memory family were keen conservation supporters. of Mark Lyons, a keen bushwalker Tracey Palmer made a gift in the Family and friends of Fay Frances and avid conservationist. Jenny name of Phill Matson. Family of Clive McDougall donated in her memory. Whyte donated in memory of her dear Huxtable donated on his behalf. friend, Pat Newton, who was ‘a great Samantha Knight donated in memory companion on many camping trips’. of Margaret Harmer, Warren Hobbs Loris Quantock gave in honour of Paul Ibbetson, and Margaret Carlton made a Bill and Gaye Austin donated in memory donated in memory of Margery Isabel of Janet Milton for the preservation of the Hobbs, Stephen Wootton gave in memory gift in the name of Ben Carlton. Natalie Australian bush. Andrew Mulcahy gave a of Peter Le Grand, and Jackie Lee Whong and Lee McMichael both gave gift in honour of the life of Denis Callan, donated in memory of Frank Lee. gifts in honour of their colleagues.

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Volunteering opportunities Interested in volunteering or learning more about the experiences of Bush Heritage’s volunteers? Why not subscribe to V-News, our biannual volunteer newsletter? Phone us on 1300 NATURE (1300 628 873) or email [email protected] to be added to our email list for V-News. Alternately, for the most up-to-date volunteering information, see our website (www.bushheritage.org.au/getting_involved_volunteer/).

April The reserve is home to over 200 animal species, Requirements: Essential: general level of Where: , Qld many of which are threatened, rare or vulnerable fitness to walk sand dunes, hammer steel Who: 2 volunteer rangers species. Volunteers are needed to remove pickets and strain fencing wire; familiar with fences to promote free movement of wildlife. straining fencing wire, ability to work in a small Project: Control of lantana and Siam weed is team with limited supervision. Preferred: Off- critical as both readily invade the significant When: Mon 10–Wed 19 road 4WD experience and training. Volunteers vegetation communities special to Yourka Requirements: Essential: physical fitness will need a 4WD with high clearance to get to Reserve. Help control weeds by spraying and and ability to undertake manual labour for manual removal. the duration of this project. Preferred: 4WD the reserve, and two spare tyres. When: 1 week minimum, April/May experience. Volunteers will need a 4WD with Where: Nardoo Hills Reserves, Vic high clearance to get into the reserve. Requirements: Essential: current Chemical Project: Working bee. Nardoo Hills Reserves Users Certificate, good level of physical fitness Where: Cravens Peak Reserve, Qld form part of a complex of protected land that is for walking up to 10 km per day (including Project: Working bee. A demountable building home to a large number of declining woodland through thick scrub); able to use hand tools. known as Robbie’s Hut is under construction birds. Volunteers are needed to control invasive Preferred: current Senior First Aid certificate, to accommodate staff in future. The building is weed species to protect this grassy woodland off-road 4WD experience, quad bike experience. near completion. Volunteers are needed to apply habitat and its unique plant species including Where: , NSW the finishing touches by staining the floor in the northern golden moth orchids. Spraying and kitchen and dining room and painting the walls digging weeds. Project: Volunteer working bee. In support of and ceilings. the Kosciuszko 2 Coast and the Great Eastern When: Sat 29 and Sun 30, arrive Fri night Ranges Initiative plans to restore connections When: Mon 17–Sat 22 Requirements: Essential: moderate fitness between natural mountain environments, Bush Requirements: Essential: physical fitness and for manual labour including bending, digging Heritage is working with Greening Australia willingness to complete the activities described. and walking rugged terrain. Preferred: ability to to revegetate Scottsdale Reserve. Volunteers Preferred: experience painting, off-road 4WD carry 5 kg backpack and use hand-held wand to are needed to plant trees and hand weed last experience. Note: there will be a working bee at spray target weeds; plant ID skills. season’s plantings. Ethabuka Reserve directly following this working When: Wed 7 and Wed 21 bee. Suitable volunteers are encouraged to JUNE Requirements: Essential: reasonable fitness. apply for both (see below). Where: Nardoo Hills Reserves, Vic The terrain is rugged and the activities are quite Where: Ethabuka Reserve, Qld Project: Working bee, spraying and digging rigorous and involve bending, lifting and carrying. Project: Working bee. Ethabuka is home weeds as above. to ephemeral and semi-permanent wetland When: Sat 12 & Sun 13, arrive Fri night May systems of national significance. To protect Requirements: Essential: moderate fitness Where: Carnarvon Station Reserve, Qld these water systems from intruding cattle and for manual labour including bending, digging Project: Working bee. Carnarvon Station camels, volunteers are needed to maintain and and walking rugged terrain. Preferred: ability to Reserve contributes a major extension to repair some boundary fences. carry 5 kg backpack and use hand-held wand to Carnarvon National Park in central Queensland. When: Sat 22–Sat 29 spray target weeds; plant ID skills.

Printed with vegetable-based inks on 55% recycled and 45% elemental chlorine-free (ECF) sustainable plantation fibre.

Date of birth //

Bush Heritage Australia ABN 78 053 639 115 Level 5, 395 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000 | PO Box 329, Flinders Lane Melbourne VIC 8009 Phone +61 3 8610 9100 | Fax +61 3 8610 9199 | Local call 1300 628 873 | Web www.bushheritage.org.au AUT10