Xanthopus Winter 2006
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Volume 24 Part 2 2006 Scientific Officer’s Report: Submission to Review of the Reserve Classification System Threatened flora of the Willunga Basin Conservation Biology Grant Report: Ecotourism as a means of encouraging ecological recovery and conservation in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia NCSSA 2005 Biological Survey of Mt Bold Reservoir Reserve NATURE CONSERVATION SOCIETY OF Xanthopus Volume 24, Part 2 Winter 2006 SOUTH Page 2 AUSTRALIA Around NCSSA Departures Training workshops were held at various NCSSA major coastal locations during April & May. concerns include Our Scientific Officer Nicole Lewis has left us to take up a job with SA Water. If you are interested in learning to use the • Native vegetation, However she will continue to assist us Monitoring Manual contact Janet Pedler or threatened species and with Xanthopus and Members Activities. Sue Graham at our office on 8232 7650 or habitats She is taking up chairing the CCSA's Native email [email protected] Vegetation Action Group. We thank her • Protecting all forms of for all of her work for us in the Scientific NEW MLR Eastern Flanks Grassy life (biodiversity) on Ecosystems Officer land and in the oceans Officer role. Rick Davies has resigned from the The Society has received funding from • Park dedication, both the Murray Darling Basin and the management and Committee as he has headed north to legislation Alice Springs to undertake a post-doctoral Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural research project. Resource Management Boards to continue • Education about the Eastern Flanks Grassy Ecosystems biodiversity to all General Meetings of the Society Project. sections of the community The two-monthly meetings are going well ~ The focus of the project is the Monarto - Rockleigh – Palmer area with sites • Cooperation with David Paton gave a very thought-provoking other conservation presentation on the state of the Coorong at extending North to Springton, West to groups the May meeting with an excellent roll-out. Brukunga, East to the flats of the River Murray and South to Langhorne Creek. At the July meeting we will have Aaron Bill New has come on board as the Grassy Inside this issue: Machado talking about Project Dolphin Safe and SA Seabird Rescue. He may be bringing a Ecosystem Extension Officer and will work in this role to promote the recognition, special guest of the feathered variety protection and management of grassy Around NCSSA 2 (Denise the cormorant). More information ecosystems in the Eastern Flanks region of Get a Grip 4 on the programs can be obtained through the Mount Lofty Ranges. the website www.projectdolphinsafe.com Mount Lofty Ranges 5 Grassy ecosystems in the Eastern Mount Grassy Woodland Bushland Condition Monitoring Manual Lofty Ranges are under threat and are Network extremely vulnerable to degrading Scientific Officers Report: 6 A Bushland Condition Monitoring Manual for influences through inappropriate Submission to Review of vegetation communities for coastal management. However this region offers the Reserve vegetation of the Southern Mount Lofty huge scope to promote grassy ecosystem Classification System Ranges has been completed and printed. recognition, protection and management. No Species Loss ... 7 Briefing 21st June 2006 NCSSA people Threatened flora of the 8 Willunga Basin Management Committee Staff Conservation Biology Grant 12 President Helen Vonow Report: Ecotourism as a Vice-President Misch Benito Scientific Officer Vacant means of encouraging Administrative Manager Elizabeth Lonie Secretary Katie Fels ecological recovery and Biodiversity Extension Manager Tim Milne Assistant Secretary Peter Tucker conservation in the Temperate Woodland Campaigner Penny Paton Flinders Ranges, SA Treasurer Richard Winkler Mokota Project Officer Meg Robertson NCSSA 2005 Biological 14 General committee Eastern Flanks Grassy Ecosystems Officer Bill New Survey of Mt Bold Spencer Burgstad, Michelle Denny, Threatened Plant Action Group Coordinator Tim Jury Reservoir Reserve Allan McIlwee, Caroline Wilson, Biodiversity Extension Officer Sue Graham David Moyle (co-opted) Bushland Condition Monitoring Project Officer Sonia Croft Walks With Nature 15 Bushland Condition Monitoring Manual Trainer Janet Pedler Xanthopus Volume 24 Part 2 Autumn 2006 Page 3 Grassy ecosystems support a large Threatened Plant Action Group September 2005 to the end of diversity of herbaceous plants such January 2006. Tina also worked as lilies and orchids, including rare TPAG has had several working bees in with Brian Knill and Max and threatened species of flora recent months, including two in Belair Possingham to update the and fauna. National Park to protect Pterostylis database and and validate survey cucullata. For information on data from previous years. We are Grassy ecosystems provide land forthcoming working days contact Tim currently seeking funding to management benefits of soil and Jury on 8232 4088 OR check out the continue this project later this water quality protection and offer NCSSA website for details. year. productive, low input pastures with appropriate time managed Mt Lofty Ranges Bird Survey New NCSSA Website grazing. Tina Bentz coordinated last years survey and has entering all of the Our website is now in a new, Bill can be contacted at the Mt updated format ~ but with the Lofty Ranges Catchment Centre, at collected data from the 492 surveys. These consisted of 164 same address as before: Mt Barker on 8391 7500 or by http://www.ncssa.asn.au/ email: [email protected] sites surveyed three times from NATURE CONSERVATION SOCIETY - SCIENTIFIC OFFICER We are recruiting for a Scientific Officer. Position duties include conducting research into current nature conservation issues, preparation of submissions, lobbying of relevant agencies, media work, public liaison and project development. Requirements; • degree in biology, ecology, natural resource management or equivalent experience • understanding of principles of ecology and nature conservation/biodiversity conservation • understanding of relevant government agencies, programs and funding opportunities • high level organisational and time management skills • initiative and self-motivation The position is ongoing and being offered as 0.6 FTE (22.5 hours per week) with continuation subject to the successful completion of a 6 month probationary period, satisfactory annual review of performance and available funding. A salary commensurate with skills and experience will be negotiated in the range $40626 - $49433 pa, adjusted to hours worked. Further information and job specifications can be obtained from our website www.ncssa.asn.au. Applications, addressing the Job and Person specifications, should be forwarded by email [email protected] or Death and Taxes the only future certainties someone once said. But there is a way of keeping your hard-earned cash out of the hands of that Tax Mob ... and reduce your taxable income as well. Donate it to NCSSA! Donations to the NCSSA are fully tax-deductible and will contribute to the ongoing work of the Society. You’ve still got plenty of time to work out how much you can give to bring you into a lower tax bracket! XANTHOPUS The views presented in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the NCSSA Copy deadline for the Winter edition is 1st August 2006. Contributions in a variety of formats will be considered, but electronic submissions are preferred. Editorial Team for this issue: Misch Benito, Mel Kovac, Nicole Lewis and Helen Vonow. Page 4 Xanthopus Volume 24 Part 2 Autumn 2006 HANDS ON ACTIVITIES FOR MEMBERS Volunteers Needed for Wombat surveys Our SocietyElisa Sparrowhas a long Beachcombingis a history,PhD student with atata particularPortthe University Noarlunga emphasis of Adelaide on carrying (one of outour scientificConservation studiesDr and BobBiology lobbying Baldock Grant on recipients) nature conservation and her project issues. involves Most catching of the scientificcommon studies andRah, are southern rah, funded rah…. hairy by‑ nosedcompetitive wombats application in SA and occasionally from granting Vic. bodies (seeShe has details an absolute in the multitude Annual Report:of field work Xanthopus to do in theVol next 21 No.couple 5). of An years Bushcare Support work- outline ofand ongoing is always projectslooking for follows. (and needing) more volunteers. shop on .. There are two different types of trips 1. catching wombats at ‑ Swan Reach (Murraylands) and Kulpara (Yorke Peninsula) AND 2. setting up hair tapes over wombat burrows and check pit‑fall traps (for other small mammals) in Southeast of SA ‑ Salt Creek and Kingston area. If you are interested or would like further information contact Elisa Sparrow email: [email protected] or phone: (08)8303 3997 (w) Bird IdentificationActivities ofWorkshop the Threatened (MLR Plant Grassy Action Woodland Group Network) (TPAG) Happy ComeValley and Reservoir be involved on in someWednesday hands on 14thaction June to recove, 9.30amr threatened to 3pm. plant species and vegetation communities with Workshopthe Threatenedwill be cancelled Plant Action if there Group. is heavy Training rain and the some day tools before are orprovided the day on ofthe the day. workshop, Upcoming working with a beesback-up over date of July the5th. next fewNumbers months willare occur limited on the so following contact dates. Penny Paton soon if you are interested ~ email on [email protected] OR phone 8344 8891. Wednesday March 9 & Wednesday May 25, Tarlee ActivitiesHelp of recover the Threatened