THE WEB The national newsletter for the Threatened Species Network Welcome to Winter 2005

The Threatened Species Network is a community based program of the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust and WWF-Australia. © So n i a Ti demann A Gouldian finsh trapped as part of a catch release study to monitor breeding success and diet preferences. Capacity Building By Mary Watt, TSN Manager, WWF

Welcome to the Winter edition of the Web. I have the privilege of filling Nicola Markus’ position as Threatened Species Network Manager. Nicki is currently taking time off to write a book on the Australian environment. We look forward to reading the final product and to her return in August, in her new role as WWF-Australia Program Leader - Species. Over the past year, the TSN has undertaken to deliver Finally, I’d like to wish our Qld TSN Coordinator a number of publications and workshops. This has Keryn Hyslop well as she goes on maternity leave been part of the network’s goal to develop capacity this month. Keryn will be replaced by Rebecca building products for community groups, hence our Richardson, who is currently writing the Brigalow theme for this newsletter - capacity building. Belt Recovery Plan and will be supported by Kathy Howard. Good luck Keryn and welcome Rebecca As often as we use the term capacity building we and Kathy to the Qld team. are asked to define it. In reference to community conservation, it can be undertaking training of volunteers, development of partnerships, increased National Threatened Species Day volunteer membership of a group or community ownership of threatened species recovery. These are September 7. Contents only a few examples. What’s On 2 The theme for the National Threatened Species State News Effective capacity building involves the transfer of Day is invasives and the impacts on threatened SA 3 knowledge. Our TSN coordinators are well placed WA 4 species. NSW & ACT 6 to undertake the task of transferring knowledge and NT 8 they have developed a number of products that are NTSD kits, are available from the The TAS 0 designed to assist communities in building their Department of Environment and Heritage. QLD  capacity to undertake work with threatened species. For more information go to the TSN online Vic 2 National News Hot off the press is the TSN case study booklet Calendar of Events wwf.org.au/tsn or contact EPBC Update 4 “Inspiring Community Conservation: Lessons from your state coordinator. New TSN Products 5 seven case studies.” This booklet highlights work CONTACTS 6 undertaken by community groups around Australia. A full list of the capacity building products available That’s it from me. Enjoy the read! are on page 15 of this newsletter. The Web •  THE WEB The national newsletter for the Threatened Species Network What’s On

National SA National Threatened Species Day National Conference of the Australian Network September 7. The theme for the National for Plant Conservation (ANPC) Threatened Species Day is invasives and the September 26 to October 1, impacts on threatened species. Commonly known Plant Conservation: The Challenges of Change at the invasives include foxes, rabbits, lantana, given that National Wine Centre Adelaide SA. For more infor- the Australian Biosecurity Group has identified mation contact Plevin and Associates ph: 08 8379 more than 2,800 foreign weeds known in Australia, 8222 email: [email protected] website: www. the ongoing impact to threatened species is immense. plevin.com.au/ANPC2005 National Bilby Day September 11. National Bilby Day was recently launched by the Hon. Senator Ian Campbell. The NT brain-child of passionate bilby advocate Frank ABC Garden Fair Manthey, National Bilby Day will be held annually September 10, 8:30 am-12 noon, Olive Pink on the second Sunday in September. Botanic Gardens, Alice Springs. For more informa- tion contact TSN ph. 08 8952 1541 Weedbuster week October 8-15. Local councils will be organising A Welcoming of the Wader birds weed control events. To register events for weed September 4, 7:30 am at Nightcliff foreshore. control over this period or for more information go For more information contact NT Field Naturalists to the weedbuster website http://www.weedbuster- Club, TSN or call Arthur and Sheryl Keates on 08 week.info.au 8948 1794.

NSW VIC Wybong Wineries Budburst Festival ANGAIR Wildflower Show & Art Show September 24, 11am-4pm at the Yarraman September 17 & 18, 10.00am - 5.00pm at Estate Vineyard and Winery, 700 Yarraman Rd Memorial Hall, McMillan Street, Anglesea. For Wybong. For more details contact Christine Phelps more details contact ANGAIR Inc ph/fax: 03 5263 email: [email protected] 1085, email: [email protected] Website: http://users.pipeline.com.au/angair Australian Museum Activities and TSN Display September & October, For more details con- Threatened Species Family Fun Day tact the TSN NSW coordinator or go to the online September 11, calendar. from 9.30am at 75 Lake Rd, Kyabram. For more details contact Cheree Dalby at the ph: 03 5852 2204 email WA [email protected] WA State Natural Resource Management Conference - October 3-6, ‘Sustainability Side Tas by Side.’in Denmark WA. For more information, Tasmanian Spring Events go to: http://www.wanrmconf2005.org/ Events Include “Beach Daisy search” on the east coast of Flinders Island, “Weed Busting to Protect Qld the Threatened Plant Euphrasia collina” at South Bruny Island and the “North-east Tasmania Granite Region Wildflower Walk Boneseed Search”. For more information Contact the September 11, from 9.30am at Weeroona Park, TSN Tas Coordinator Stanthorpe. For more details contact Kate Steel ph: For more information on events and volunteering op- 07 4671 7900 email: [email protected] portunities in your area visit: http//wwf.org.au/tsn and The Web •  click on Calendar of Events on the left-hand side. State news

South Australia

Gluepot Reserve – a case of Exceptional capacity building Birds Australia’s Gluepot Reserve in South Australia is the country’s largest community-owned and managed conservation reserve.

The 54,390-hectare reserve not far from the River a successful and exciting project to be involved with. Murray is home to 18 nationally threatened and declining birds – including the black-eared miner, Volunteer Rangers and Assistant Rangers, stationed one of Australia’s most endangered birds. at Gluepot for months at a time, and the volunteer Gluepot Friends Group have been involved in a Thought extinct in South Australia, the black-eared range of activities – from research, revegetation miner was sighted in exstensive mallee near and pest and wildlife management to maintaining Gluepot Station by a Birds Australia volunteer in walking trails, photography, maintaining the on-site 1996. herbarium and many others. At the same time, the station’s owner, unaware of the find, had applied for approval to burn parts of the long unburnt mallee to increase sheep fodder. Further surveys by volunteers confirmed the existence of not only black-eared miners but also malleefowl and four other nationally threatened birds on the station. With the property’s biodiversity significance under- stood and the interest of the landowner secured, the decision was made to purchase the land. Over 2,400 people and organisations raised $360,000 to buy Gluepot Station in just 10 weeks. © A manda Nick s o n Jo e B enshemesh BA G luep t Rese r ve Since that time Gluepot has been listed under From background to foreground: Old mallee tree on Gluepot Reserve, Heritage Agreement, the National Reserve System Malleefowl tracks and a Malleefowl, one of the threatened species on Glluepot Reserve and Register of the National Estate, and the Commonwealth EPBC Act as ‘critical habitat’. The Friends Group are also creating an environmen- It is the history of exceptional capacity building tal education centre out of old shearing sheds with activities on the Birds Australia reserve that has courses scheduled for Spring 2005. attracted several TSN Community Grants since the grant’s inception in 1999. There are opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to contribute to the efforts on Gluepot These include grants to close artificial watering Reserve and learn new skills. points – recognised as key threats to several threat- ened bird species and vegetation communities in Gluepot Reserve is an exceptional example of what the region – and to install bird hides so volunteers can be made possible by a few people with a good can monitor key locations around the property idea and the right support. and assess the response of wildlife to changes in management practices. The tangible nature of the project, the volunteers’ enthusiasm and determination and the mallee sun- Gluepot has successfully combined the elements sets have all been ingredients to its success to date. of biodiversity conservation and land management, scientific research and monitoring, environmental For more information on Birds Australia’s Gluepot education and sustainable ecotourism. Reserve and volunteer opportunities, visit It’s the ‘can do’ approach that has made Gluepot such www.riverland.net.au/gluepot The Web •  State news

Western Australia

Friends of the Western Swamp Tortoise go from strength to strength Last year, TSN’s Raquel Carter and Helen Pitman helped form the Friends of Western Swamp Tortoise (FoWST).

Since its inception, the group has gone from strength The group has been working closely with the to strength in its efforts to help recover the critically Department of Conservation and Land Management endangered western swamp tortoise. (CALM) to ensure their activities are in line with recovery plan actions. This year the group had conducted six field trips, with more planned FoWST has been successful in securing a Community for the coming months. Conservation Grant from the Western Australian Government to continue to conduct on-ground During these trips, the group activities to help restore the habitat of this critically set up display stands at local endangered species. festivals, visited the captive breeding facility at Perth Zoo Members of the group include environmental science and released captive-bred tor- students, marketing and communications experts, a toises into suitable habitat, as teacher, an accountant, and an artist. Such a diverse well as a range of hands-on pool of talent has enabled FoWST to strengthen and activities to help enhance develop very quickly. western swamp tortoise habitat. Although FoWST is still a young group, it is already making a real difference to the recovery of the western swamp tortoise through awareness-raising activities and on-ground action.

For more information, © L esle y & A le x S t o ne contact [email protected]. Tanya Marwood of the Friends of Western Swamp Tortoise group releasing a captive-bred western swamp tortoise.

Perth Cane Toad Forum TSN was proud to sponsor the WA Conservation Council’s Cane Toad Forum, held in Perth on June 4. The event raised awareness about the movement of vation Council launching a public fund (attracting cane toads westward in northern Australia and the $21,000 in donations on the day) for on-ground subsequent threat to species in the eastern Kimberley activities, supported by extensive commitment from area. volunteers. Around 300 people attended the event, filling the State Environment Minister Judy Edwards attended aisles of the Alexander Library Theatre. West the forum and voiced state government funding Australian author Tim Winton helped generate wide support. Funds have also been committed by the media coverage in the lead up to the event, calling Federal government. on commitment from government, non-government organisations, community groups and the general These commitments need to be converted into public to help stop the spread of cane toads into the extensive cane toad trapping near the NT/WA border east Kimberley. in the lead up to the next wet season, which The day was very successful, with the WA Conser- commences in November. The Web •  Dieback workshops in the south-west In south-west Western Australia, people have been learning how to manage bushland to minimise the devastating spread of Phytophthora dieback. Phytophthora dieback is an introduced water mould The Project responsible for the deaths of countless native The Threatened Species plants. Network (TSN) and the It thrives in soil and spreads via water, killing plants Dieback Working Group by attacking the roots and limiting the uptake of (DWG) have collabo- water and nutrients. Most plants do not die one rated to inform people branch at a time but suddenly and completely. about how they can help manage the impacts of Although the pathogen is thought to have arrived in dieback. WA shortly after European settlement, it wasn’t until the 1920s that it was first recognised after it started The two groups joined killing jarrah trees in WA’s south-east forests. By the forces to produce an

1960s the pathogen was having a significant effect information booklet and © Di eba ck Worki ng Gro up on forests, woodlands and heathlands throughout a series of educational Dead Jarra due to Phytophthora the south-west of WA. workshops. dieback. There are a number of species of Phytophthora The booklet produced dieback but the most common and most destructive was an updated edition in WA is Phytophthora cinnamomi. of Managing Phytoph- thora Dieback in Bush- Phytophthora dieback spreads through surface and land: A Guide for Land- sub-surface water flows, which carry its holders and Community microscopic spores from root to root. However, the Conservation Groups. most significant, rapid and widespread distribution of the pathogen results from human activity. Road It is a practical tool for construction, earth moving, driving on bush roads, dieback management and stock movement can all contribute significantly including information Mi lle r © Kat to the spread of Phytophthora dieback. on how to treat bushland Chris Dunne of the Dieback Working with phosphite, and how Group with new bushland management At risk: the South-west Australia Ecoregion to minimise the risk of booklet. spreading the pathogen when conducting a range of The South-west Australia activities such as bushwalking, cycling, horse rid- Ecoregion is one of the ing, or bushland regeneration activities. world’s top 25 biodiver- sity hotspots, boasting Chris Dunne from the DWG, and TSN WA an exceptional number Coordinator Kat Miller, conducted five workshops of endemic species. across the South-west Australia Ecoregion. The region has at least Each workshop was attended by between 20 and 30 4000 plants and 100 participants, including local government representatives vertebrates native to the and councillors, representatives from the Department area, with new species of Conservation and Land Management, landholders, continuing to be discov- © WWF-A ust r al i a community conservation group members, and local ered today. From left to right: Southwest Australia industry representatives. Ecoregion of Western Australia. Im- Approximately 40% of age produced by WWF-Australia The project was very successful in generating talk plants in the region are using information adapted from Olson about dieback across the south-west and empowering susceptible to Phytoph- & Dinerstein The Global 200: Priority ecoregions for global conservation. the community to manage dieback in their bush- thora dieback, making it a Annals of the Missouri Botanical land. very significant threat Garden 89: 125-126. to floral diversity and to To obtain copies of the booklet or for more information entire ecosystems. These susceptible plants include contact Chris Dunne at the DWG, ph: 0438 044 488 or jarrah, banksias, grasstrees and zamia palms. email [email protected] The Web •  State news

NEw South Wales & ACT

Illawarra Regional Threatened Flora Recovery Program In April 2001 the Illawarra Regional Threatened Flora Recovery Program was established to coordinate the recovery of six threatened plant species in the Illawarra region. The recovery program operates on the coastal plain white-flowered wax plant Cynanchum( elegans). and escarpment between Stanwell Park in the Wollongong Local Government Area (LGA) and Many community groups and landholders are Nowra in the Shoalhaven LGA. assisting with the program and gaining new skills through remnant protection and rehabilitation work, surveys, feral animal controls and more. A number of landholders and councils have also entered into Voluntary Conservation Agreements to protect their rainforest remnants. The program is coordinated by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), with assistance from the Natural Heritage Trust and the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority.

© DE C In 2005 DEC will be conducting surveys of potential © R o n T unstall From left to right: Pterostylis gibbosa flower.Cynanchum elegans vine with a habitat for the Illawarra socketwood. If you’re wollongong bushcare volunteer in the background. interested in these surveys or other elements of the Its six target species are the Illawarra socketwood program, or if you’d like a copy of the program newsletter, (Daphnandra sp. C ‘Illawarra’), the Illawarra zieria (Zieria granulata), the Illawarra Irene (Irenepharsus contact Martin Bremner, DEC Threatened Species trypherus), Illawarra greenhood orchid (Pterostylis Officer, ph: (02) 9585 6826 or email: martin.bremner@ gibbosa), pink rice flower (Pimelea spicata) and the environment.nsw.gov.au Boosting indigenous training in south-western NSW The Barkindji people of south-west NSW are working with Sunraysia TAFE to help protect quality mallee habitat on the Tar-Ru property in the Lower Murray Darling Catchment area. In cooperation with the TSN and the Lower planning and on-ground works on the site and will Murray Darling Catchment Authority the TAFE receive accreditation under TAFE courses for their and Barkindji students are working to manage and efforts. monitor the habitat for the benefit of threatened species in the area. Time will also be taken to renew and strengthen indigenous culture and beliefs through the involve- The project aims to protect the mallee from grazing ment of local elders. by erecting fencing and developing and implementing an on-going monitoring program to assess the con- Establishing Tar-Ru as a training site, the TAFE is dition of the habitat and the abundance of threatened working to enhance coordination between aboriginal species on the property. Tar-Ru’s mallee is home to training programs in the area, allowing a unified and such threatened species as the malleefowl and the regent parrot. more effective regional program and resulting in benefits not only for local communities but also for conservation. The Web •  Indigenous participants will take part in conservation Woodland Birds of the North West Slopes In mid October, the Threatened Species Network will be running a woodland birds workshop in the Bingara region of NSW’s north-west slopes. Other hosts will include the Regent Honeyeater Recovery Program and the Grassy Box Woodland Conservation Management Network. Speakers will discuss woodland habitats in the region and the birds which call them home. Changes and threats to local woodlands and birds will be explored, and participants will receive information on how they can help to support and monitor local populations and habitats.

Arrangements are still being finalised, anyone wanting to register their interest or wanting more information can © N ev i l L a z r us contact the TSN NSW Coordinator A Regent Honeyeater, one of only 1000 or so remaining.

National Parks Association Biodiversity Surveys: building community through conservation National Parks Association (NPA) Community Biodiversity Surveys are great opportunities to meet people and gain new skills. The most recent survey was held in April at the Ellie Sobey, Team Leader for birds said “It was an South Mullion Range Crown Reserve, north-east of experience that I will value greatly for the people I Orange. This remnant of approximately 1000ha of met, the new species I saw, the skills I learnt, and dry sclerophyll forest had not been comprehensively the fun I had.” surveyed in the past. The survey results will provide the knowledge necessary for future conservation The final species list was impressive. Notable finds and land management plans. included the , barking owl, diamond firetail, greater glider and . The People of all ages and back- invertebrate team located some Zygaenidae moths grounds took part includ- and even a suspected unidentified ing students, academics, species of the leafhopper Alseis. teachers, and locals. Par- ticipants were placed The botany team found the into survey groups for best remaining stand of vegetation, mammals, ribbon gum in the Orange birds, frogs, reptiles, district, possibly a couple of and invertebrates. io n a rk s A ss oci at unnamed plant species and other plants not previously While some partici- known from the Mullion io nal P © N at pants initially appeared Volunteers Jess and Tanya at the Orange Community Biodiversity Survey Range. a little daunted by the experience, any trepidation was quickly lost as every- The survey was initiated after interest was expressed one pitched in to set up camp and prepare site by the Orange Field Naturalist Group. If your group has survey locations under the guidance of a friendly an area needing monitoring, or you’d like to know more team leader. about the manual, workshops or how to get involved Survey methods followed those set out in the NPA in future surveys, contact Rebecca Mooy, Community Community Biodiversity Survey Manual, with each Biodiversity Project Officer, (02) 9299 0000 or team responsible for many and varied daily tasks, from laying and checking traps for the mammal [email protected]. You can also read more at team to evening bird call surveys for the bird team. the website, www.npansw.org.au/biosurvey The Web •  State news

Northern Territory

Cane toads recognised as a Key Threatening Process A coordinated national approach to tackling Australia’s cane toad problem is a step closer with the Federal Government’s decision to accept the toad menace as a Key Threatening Process (KTP).

Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell This is the first step to addressing the impact of a announced in April that WWF’s nomination of the particular threat under Australian law. toad menace as a KTP had been accepted. The minister must make a decision on whether a Cane toads are currently spreading through the threat abatement plan will be written within 90 days Northern Territory and making their way toward of listing a KTP. Western Australia. The decision on whether or not a threat abatement In early 2004, WWF submitted a nomination to plan will be implemented is pending the outcome of the Australian Government to have ‘Predation, the National Cane Toad Taskforce report, currently Competition and Lethal Toxic Ingestion Caused by before the Vertebrate Pest Committee. Cane Toads’ recognised as a KTP under the En- vironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation The benefit of a threat abatement plan, and one of Act 1999 (EPBC Act). the primary reasons for WWF submitting the nomination, is that it provides the framework for a On April 12 this year, Minister Campbell announced national, coordinated approach to reduce the impact that the nomination had been accepted, with the of cane toads on biodiversity, particularly threatened revised title being ‘The Biological Effects, Includ- species and threatened ecological communities. ing Lethal Toxic Ingestion, Caused by Cane Toads (Bufo marinus)’. The listing advice can be found at: http://www.deh.gov. au/biodiversity/threatened/ktp/cane-toads.html

Calling all artists! It’s on again! Due to the success of last year’s event, there will be another threatened species art and photography exhibition in the Northern Territory this year. a rcy r d © s i m o n wa © Jo shua F © A l i s o n Wor sn p © J asm i ne an © Eric a Mi s ko v i t z

The theme is threatened species, their habitats and Darwin Entertainment Centre Gallery. their threats in the NT. The official opening will take place on National The event is open to everyone and you can use any Threatened Species Day (September 7) at 6.30 pm, kind of medium. There are prizes for a range of when the winners will also be announced. categories including best photograph, drawing, painting and the people’s choice award. The best Entries close August 26. Contact the Northern Savannas overall adult work will win a $1000 prize. or Arid Rangelands Coordinators for more information Entries will be on display from September 7-10 at the and to register. Everyone is invited. The Web •  CyberTracking – engaging indigenous land managers in threatened species data collection Louis Liebenberg’s work with Kalahari Desert Bushmen lead to the development of CyberTracker software in 1996 to enable people with extensive tracking knowledge but limited literacy skills to record biological information on palmtop computers whilst tracking wildlife in the field. CyberTracker uses icons rather than tjakura (great desert skink) populations. words or numbers on its screen interface to enable users to record As part of the TSN-coordinated basic inventory information or more Central Australia Aboriginal ranger complex habitat data onto dataloggers workshop at Dryandra in May 2004, linked to handheld GPS units. Joe ran a very successful field session on using CyberTrackers with the 24 © D anae Moor e & T he r esa N an o The information recorded can then be Martu kids using cybertrackers participants present. downloaded into a GIS (Geographic Information System) interface to Since then Warlpiri Ranger groups develop maps of where different from the Tanami Desert, Martu from plants or animals are distributed, the Great Sandy Desert, and Yarnangu or to map things like fire extent or involved in Ngaanyatjarra Indigenous predator density. Protected Areas projects in the Gibson Desert have been using CyberTrackers The beauty of CyberTracker in their project work. Elsewhere in technology is that it is equally northern Australia projects facilitated accessible to both young and old through the Kimberley Land Council, people, as there is no requirement for This screen shows silhouettes of native the Northern Land Council and the and feral animals likely to be found in Martu users to be able to read or write to be country. Pressing the bilby icon selects Threatened Species Network have able to use it effectively. mankarr (the Manjilyjarra name for bilby) been using, or are starting to use, in the top frame, and leads on to the next CyberTracker technology. The software is also available for screen. conservation-based projects at no An example of the CyberTrack- cost under a Greenware policy li- er sequences piloted in Martu cence agreement, and there are ex- threatened species project work is amples of sequences developed for shown opposite to give an idea of the different projects available on the range of data that can be collected CyberTracker website http://www. using this technology. cybertracker.co.za/index.html for people to use or modify for their own TSN coordinators based in Alice projects. Users can select whether the record is Springs and Darwin have purchased of an animal that was seen, or its tracks, five CyberTracker units that are In Australia, Dr Joe Benshemesh was scats or home burrow. Selecting the home available to community groups to use burrow leads on to a screen with options one of the first researchers to develop about numbers of adults and young cur- in skills-building projects or to test the use of CyberTracker technology rently occupying the burrow. the development of new data collection with community groups (the Mallee- sequences for different projects. fowl Network of ) and with Aboriginal communities. Some basic training in the use of CyberTracker technology in threatened Working over the last five years with species project work can also be given traditional owners in northern South by the NT based TSN coordinators, Australia as part of Anangu Pitjant- or more extensive training can be jatjara Yankunytjatjara Council Land provided by Dr Joe Benshemesh (joe. Management Unit’s projects, Joe has Habitat information such as time since [email protected]), and there developed CyberTracker sequences fire can also be recorded. This screen is is lots of good information available on for Anangu to record information still in development, but is an attempt to software and hardware requirements on show different post-fire stages of vegeta- about itjaritjari (southern marsupial tion. There is also an option for “unknown”, the main CyberTracker website (see link mole), nganamara (malleefowl), and represented by the question mark given above). The Web •  State news

Tasmania

Recovering the Miena cider gum The Bothwell Landcare Group in collaboration with TSN have received an Envirofund grant for protection of the endangered Miena cider gum. Only six small stands of the When the fencing is completed Miena cider gum (Eucalyp- volunteers will be needed to tus gunnii ssp. divaricata) are assist with replanting, watering known in the highlands of during dry weather and monitor- Tasmania and it is now listed ing sites for stock and possum as Endangered under State and intrusions. Commonwealth legislation. Cider gums are much loved by The main threats to this species people from the highlands and are the poor rate of seedling we hope this project will help establishment due to grazing bring added attention and effort by stock, deer and brush-tailed to programs to reduce tree die New publication possums, and the intolerance of back and the effects of drought An eight-page booklet the trees to drought. through out the highlands of on the threatened birds Tasmania. of King Island entitled The project aims to recover four “Are we losing our native stands of cider gum by excluding For more information contact the birds on King Island? possums, deer and stock from How can we make sure TSN Tas Coordinator. we don’t?”, has been the area, replanting and trialing © S hann o n W Po tts produced by the King methods of insect control. Island Natural Resource Management Group. Protecting Tasmania’s giant freshwater crayfish For copies and to get involved please contact Eve Woolmore on The Threatened Species Network has been on the recovery team for the world’s 03 6462 1825 ewoolmore@kingisland. largest invertebrate – the Tasmanian giant freshwater crayfish – since February net.au 1997. Since then TSN has been involved in writing four Population’s of this shy crayfish have declined as draft recovery plans for this remarkable animal, a result of overfishing, their slow growth and low which is listed as vulnerable. reproductive rates, and their sensitivity to degraded habitat. But finalisation of the plan has been stalled because of disputes over management of forestry activities Loss of habitat due to the erection of barriers that in Tasmania. stop water movement, extreme siltation from erosion, sand extraction and contaminants along TSN is hoping that the latest Draft Recovery Plan with illegal fishing mean that the crayfish doesn’t for the Giant Freshwater Crayfish will be accepted have long without our assistance. by all parties so that the important work of protecting the Tasmanian giant freshwater crayfish The latest version of the recovery plan recommends can begin. that landscape management approaches - such as the establishment of protected areas - need to be The major dispute has been over protection of developed and implemented. habitat that is likely to be important for giant freshwater crayfish but where records of the crayfish TSN also strongly supports the plan’s recommenda- are largely absent. tion for further research focusing on the impacts of logging immediately upstream of high suitability The Tasmanian giant freshwater crayfish is the habitat. biggest of its kind anywhere in the world and can reach weights of over four kilograms. For more information contact the TSN Tas Coordinator. The Web • 10 Queensland

Gaining confidence through action By Clair Wright Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and he’ll have food for a lifetime.

The Threatened Species Network in Queensland has with landholders and been able to extend our work been helping a range of community groups across into a whole new geographical area.” the state develop the skills and experience they need to grow as fledgling organisations, and we’re more The project includes the restoration of riparian than happy when they are ready to fly the nest. habitat – that is, habitat along the banks of rivers - for the protection of the frogs. It also includes ongoing The Quoll Seekers Network (QSN) is a good example. monitoring of this habitat, as well as community and QSN was first featured in The Web in its Spring 2001 education work. edition. It is a small community group of volunteers established through a TSN initiative to address an Waterwatch recently participated in “Splash”, a apparent gap in quoll conservation. festival celebrating the social and cultural meanings of water. This year’s theme was “Following in the Four years of advice, assistance and organisational footsteps of the frog” and featured Pip the Cascade support have seen QSN grow in experience and Tree Frog. maturity. Although small in numbers, the group is now actively engaging in conservation work. It is Throughout our conversation, Sandy often used the hosting community workshops, educational events words “enthusiasm” and “vibrancy”. She says the and building relationships with landowners. opportunity to get out and get involved is what brings renewed enthusiasm to Waterwatch members. In simple terms, TSN’s original intention to facilitate quoll conservation has been assisted by building “We’ve been out to schools and events and have into the community the “capacity” to undertake the generated a lot of interest through articles and news- work itself. letters. We‘ve been doing lots of on-the-ground work in the community and this generates an energy Similarly, we are working to ensure the knowledge that people can see.” and experience a group gains when putting into effect a TSN community grant continues beyond the lifetime of the project itself, often leading to new funding opportunities or a growth in membership. Queensland Waterwatch, which is currently de- livering a TSN community conservation project aimed at restoring habitat for the giant barred frog and cascade tree frog - both endangered - in the Maroochy area of south-east Queensland. Sandy McBride from the group describes a renewed vibrancy and energy in the group since taking on c h r wat ate the project. © Q ld W “As well as on-ground outcomes for the frogs, we’ve gained a great deal of knowledge and expertise about Pip the Cascade Tree Frog managing threatened species,” Sandy says.

“We’ve certainly grown as an organisation, not least Contact your state TSN Coordinator about getting through the development of new networks.” involved in a conservation project or to received “Through this project, we’ve undertaken monitor- information about a Threatened Species Community ing with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Grant. worked with the local council, formed partnerships The Web • 11 State news

Victoria

Buloke woodlands – flora and fauna guide to the Wimmera They are in serious decline yet also full of life. Wimmera’s nationally endangered buloke woodlands are home to an amazing array of plant and animal species. The buloke mistletoe (threatened in Victoria), the A recent study funded by the Department of Sustain- broughton pea, the endangered pale sun moth and ability and Environment found that between 1982 the buloke cicada - recently discovered by Fabian and 1997 there was a 25 % loss of buloke trees from Douglas in 1997 near Lake Hindmarsh – are all paddocks, with a 39 % decline in one area. found in Wimmera’s buloke woodlands. The flora and fauna guide to The Threatened Species Net- the buloke woodlands of Wim- work is celebrating Biodiversity mera was inspired by a survey Month this September with the © M. M a ro n of landholders in the habitat launch of a flora and fauna guide range of the south-eastern red- to these woodlands. tailed cockatoo. The guide - Buloke woodlands: This survey found that there flora and fauna guide to the was a need for more local Wimmera - will be launched at information about species that the annual Wimmera Biodiver- share the cockatoo’s habitat. sity Seminar, thanks to the sup- port of the Wimmera Catchment There are certainly a great Management Authority. number of interesting plants and animals, both threatened and Unfortunately, the decline of Buloke mistletoe (Amyema linophylla), vulnerable in Victo- common species, that depend ria. Its foliage looks very much like buloke and the mistletoe buloke woodlands is matched is only noticeable when in flower. It plays an important role on the buloke woodlands for by a decline in many of the spe- in the ecosystem as food and shelter for many native birds, habitat. cies that depend on them for mammals and insects. survival, especially birds. We look forward to launching this book at the Wimmera Biodiversity Seminar, Buloke woodlands occur mostly on heavier soils, which will be held on Thursday 8 September, 2005, where agriculture is also predominant, meaning in Goroke (near Horsham). For further information most buloke woodlands have already been cleared. about the seminar, contact the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority on (03) 5382 1544 or email In Victoria, less than three per cent of buloke wood- Dean Robertson at [email protected] lands remain uncleared. The remaining buloke is highly degraded and consists mainly of small For information regarding the buloke book, please remnant blocks, roadside patches or scattered pad- contact the Victorian TSN Coordinator. dock trees. Terrick Terrick weekend Terrick Terrick National Park needs friends! On the weekend of September 30 – October 2, a The weekend will include a night walk to look for friends group for the Terrick Terrick National Park the critically endangered plains wanderer. in northern Victoria will be formed. We will also be setting up an ongoing program to Ranger Mark Tscharke and other experts will share assess the condition of the park. For enquiries, or to with us the challenges of managing a grasslands national park and explore how volunteers can register your interest, contact Bernie Fox or Sue contribute to the park’s management. Hayman-Fox on (03) 9741 9859 or email them at The Web • 12 [email protected]. Alpine National Park – protected from cattle On June 17 2005, Victorian Parliament passed legislation to end cattle grazing in the Alpine National Park. Extensive research has shown cattle grazing causes significant damage to the alpine environment, and as a result ‘cattle grazing in the alpine regions of Victoria’ was listed in 1992 as an important threat to flora and fauna, under the State’s Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act. As well as providing transitional assistance to graziers, the government announced a number of measures to accompany the removal of cattle from the park. Included was $650,000 to be spent on the rehabilitation of damaged areas of the park,

© R ic ha r d Hocki ng particularly the alpine moss beds or bogs.

This was a momentous decision for the protection of For more information go to www.dse.vic.gov.au/alpine- alpine biodiversity within the park. grazing

Teachers workshop - conserving the red-tailed black cockatoo During Biodiversity Month in September, a workshop will be held for school teachers interested in the plight of the south-eastern red-tailed black cockatoo. The Victorian Association for Environmental Education efforts to protect it. They will be looking at the will be holding the professional development session parrot family, with its sense of community, and how for upper primary and secondary teachers, which schools can get involved in the conservation of other will highlight issues surrounding this endangered key threatened species in their locality. bird. The day will also include a 30 The session will cover issues of biology, loss of minute walk to see a recently food and nest trees and current efforts to protect the hatched red-tailed black cockatoo bird that was the inspiration for the Commonwealth and its parents. Games mascot, Karak. Tuesday, September 6, 2005, The workshop will give teachers a comprehensive 11.30am to 4.00pm knowledge of the south-eastern subspecies of the Healesville Sanctuary, red-tailed black cockatoo and develop an Healesville understanding of the threats they face, as well as what schools can do to help. Cost: $27.50 VAEE & AAEE Members, $38.50 Non mem- Teachers attending will be given information about bers (inc GST). Lunch will be the red-tailed black cockatoo as well as contacts for provided. further help, advice and resources. For a copy of the program, The program includes a range of speakers discussing and to register, contact the issues such as the cockatoo’s current conservation status, distribution, characteristics and seasonal Victorian Association for habits. Environmental Education (VAEE) Ph: (03) 9349 1806 . Speakers will also cover the habitat needs and key Chan © N athan threats to this magnificent bird, as well as on-ground Email: [email protected] The Web • 13 National news

EPBC Unit PERMITS UNDER THE EPBC ACT. Register to comment on permits under the EPBC by 30 August 2005. ndall Kenned y Ly ©

Over the past couple of editions of The Web we’ve There are some exemptions to the permit requirements talked about how the Matters of National Environmen- including times when there is serious threat to The EPBC Unit tal Significance (such as Ramsar and Heritage sites) human life or health, or the action is needed to The EPBC Unit is a joint protected under the EPC Act, are protected on all land, relieve the suffering of an animal. However, if you project of WWF-Australia, the Australian Council of regardless of who owns it. do undertake an action that needs a permit under one National Trusts and the of the exemptions, you must still notify DEH within Tasmanian Conservation An EPBC Act listed threatened or migratory species is 7 days of becoming aware of the action. Trust. just as protected in your backyard as it is in a Com- The Unit receives funding monwealth reserve. So, if you want to undertake To secure an EPBC Act permit you must fill in and support from the Dept of any action that is likely to have a significant impact submit an official permit application form. You can Environment and Heritage. on a Matter of National Environmental Significance, download these forms from the DEH website at: For more information: even if you’re doing it on your own land, you must www.deh.gov.au/epbc/permits Lyndall Kennedy put in a referral and get approval from the Minister EPBC Unit Coordinator before you do it. If you take an action without a permit and none of the exemptions apply to you then you may have (02) 6257 4010 Whilst the referral provisions for actions affecting committed an offence and the maximum penalties [email protected] Matters of National Environmental Significance include 2 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up apply throughout Australia, the permit provisions to $110,000 for an individual and $550,000 for under the EPBC Act only apply to Commonwealth a corporation. Fines of up to $33,000 can also be areas.Obtaining a Permit imposed if you contravene a condition of a permit. Under the EPBC Act, you must get a permit from Commenting on permit applications the Minister if you are working in a Commonwealth DEH maintains a Permit Consultation Register, a area (land or waters) and you are planning to kill, list of people who have requested the opportunity injure, take, keep or move a listed threatened species to comment on permit applications. When anyone (except a ‘conservation dependent’ species), listed applies for a permit to kill, injure, take, trade, keep threatened ecological community, listed migratory or move a member of a listed threatened, migra- species or listed marine species. tory or marine species or ecological community, or You also need an EPBC Act permit to: to interfere with a cetacean, persons on the Permit Consultation Register are notified and have a short • interfere with a cetacean in a Commonwealth period in which to provide written comments on marine area or the Australian Whale Sanctuary; the application. The Minister must then consider • significantly damage any habitat in a Common- those submissions when deciding whether to grant wealth area that is listed on the Register of Critical the permit application. Habitat; As with most of the public comment opportunities • undertake certain research, commercial or available under the EPBC Act you do not need to recreational activities in a Commonwealth park be a scientist or a specialist to get onto the register. Once a year, the Minister opens the register. The Web • 14 or reserve. You can register for all permit applications, or for website at www.deh.gov.au/epbc/invitecomment/ permits within a certain State/Territory and you can register.html elect to receive notification by email or by post. For more information about EPBC Act permits, go to the The Consultation Register is currently open for DEH website at www.deh.gov.au/epbc/permits/index. registrations until 30 August 2005. Registration forms are available for download from the DEH html

New TSN Products TSN Capacity Building Product List Inspiring Community Conservation: Lessons from seven case studies. This booklet highlights a small sample of the hundreds of exciting projects the TSN has assisted through its community grants program.

Available from your State coordinator.

Litchfield Field Guide. An identification guide to the plants of conservation concern inthe Inspiring Community Conservation: Lessons Litchfield Shire of the Northern Territory (Northern Savannas). from seven case studies. Available from the Northern Savannas Coordinator Queensland’s Threatened Plants -Spotlight on Cycads This booklet proposes practical measures that can be taken to recover threatened species and in particular Qld threatened cycads.

Available from the QLD Coordinator

Communicating for Recovery - Guide This resource guides a recovery team in the development of a Commu- nications Strategy that will help foster and deliver recovery objectives Queensland’s Threatened Plants -Spotlight on in its Recovery Plan Cycads Downloadable from the publications page of the website. http://wwf.org.au or available from your State coordinator.

Managing Phytophthora Dieback in Bushland This booklet is a guide for landholders and community conservation groups in WA to help identify activities that can help reduce the spread of Phytophthora dieback.

Available from the WA Coordinator

Buloke woodlands: flora and fauna guide to the Wimmera A guide to the wildlife of the buloke woodlands, Wimmera

Available from the VIC Coordinator Managing Phytophthora Dieback in Bushland The Web • 15 Contacts mailing list details Remember to check out http://wwf.org.au/tsn for updated factsheets and TSN Community Grants information. If you have any enquiries concerning threatened species conservation in Australia, please contact TSN on ph: 02 9281 5515 or email: [email protected] Are your mailing details correct? Please indicate any changes below or email the above address Please change my details Please remove me Please add me Old Details______Name______Organisation______Address______Email address______

If undelivered return to: Threatened Species Network WWF Surface Postage GPO Box 528 Paid Sydney NSW 2000 mail Australia

The Web Print Post Approved PP 634660/100037 TSN CONTACTS Visit TSN’s website for more information, at http://wwf.org.au/tsn Program Leader - Species New South Wales & ACT Coordinator Western Australia Coordinator Nicola Markus Alison Colyer Katherine Miller WWF-Australia WWF-Australia WWF-Australia GPO Box 528, Sydney 2000 GPO Box 528, Sydney 2000 PO Box 4010, Wembley 6913 T: (02) 9281 5515 T: (02) 8202 1222 T: (08) 9387 6444 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] TSN Manager Queensland Coordinator South Australia Coordinator Mary Watt Rebecca Richardson Vicki-Jo Russell WWF-Australia WWF-Australia SA Conservation Centre GPO Box 528, Sydney 2000 PO Box 710, Spring Hill 4004 120 Wakefield St, Adelaide 5000 T: (02) 9281 5515 T: (07) 3221 0573 T: (08) 8223 5155 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Editor of The Web Arid Rangelands Coordinator Tasmania Coordinator Charlie Stevens Colleen O’Malley Peter McGlone WWF-Australia Arid Lands Environment Centre C/- Tasmanian Conservation Trust GPO Box 528, Sydney 2000 PO Box 2796, Alice Springs NT 0871 102 Bathurst St, Hobart 7000 T: (02) 9281 5515 T: (08) 8952 1541 T: (03) 6234 3552 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Grants Administrator (temporary) Northern Savannas Coordinator Victoria Coordinator Kendall Benton Jarrad Holmes Julie Kirkwood WWF-Australia WWF-Australia C/- Victorian National Parks Association GPO Box 528, Sydney 2000 GPO Box 1268, Darwin NT 0801 Level 3, 60 Leicester St, Carlton 3053 T: (02) 8202 1233 T: (08) 8941 7554 T: (03) 9341 6507 The Web • 16 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] State news rangelands

Martu kids get to see a mankarr in the hand! On a recent five-day field trip as part of a threatened species survey and monitoring project, 27 Martu visited sites around Kukurranyina bore in a remote part of the Great Sandy Desert bioregion. The tracking surveys resulted in two new site burning to promote food plants used by mankarr records for mankarr (bilbies) and one for langamarlu and to create an ideal structure of spinifex grasses to (mulgara). Young adults, school children and older provide good shelter and protection from predators. people were involved in recording tracks of different animals, developing skills using GPS, and learning Tracks of cats and foxes were recorded at most sites, how to record data. and one fox was recorded living very close to an active mankarr burrow where a young animal was present. Waka Taylor was successful in digging out one burrow system to catch the young mankarr to show to children and share information about its ecology. The final trip in this phase of the project is planned for August, and will involve Martu revisiting one of the main mulyamiji (great desert skink) colonies near Punmu community to record information about ven port numbers of active burrows, juvenile presence, and numbers of cats and foxes in the area. Small burns © Sue D a Waka Taylor showing a young mankarr to children from Parnngurr School. will also be done to enhance habitat in the vicinity of the colonies. In recording information about habitat in the areas around mankarr and langamarlu burrows, senior For more information contact the Arid Rangelands TSN Martu were able to show younger participants the Coordinator importance of maintaining a regular pattern of Tanami Predator Mitigation Project In May 2005, the Warlpiri Rangers from Yuendumu Community, Central Land Council and Desert Wildlife Services staff headed into the Tanami Desert to set up camp at Jakadi, also known as Sangsters Bore. The field trip was the first of four that will occur this other sat on the front of the bonnet with eyes peeled year as part of a TSN-funded project to help protect for tracks and other signs (dung or diggings). threatened species from introduced predators in the Northern Territory. On the last few metres of the final tracking survey an unfamiliar track was picked up. Could it be the The initial field trip surveyed known populations Pujarrpujarrapa (marsupial mole) we wondered? of walpajirri (bilby), jajina (mulgara) and warrarna So, back at Yuendumu the photo was past around (great desert skink) in the area. Both scientific trap- to those elders that could hopefully tell us more…. ping and traditional tracking methods were used. ‘arrr Yingalingi (baby echidna)....good country that way’ (pointing towards Lungardajarra) - So we Populations of all three threatened species were didn’t find Pujarrpujarrapa this time, but maybe on found at Lungardajarra, however, tracks of cats and the next field trip. foxes were also recorded. Article by Neville Poulson (Senior Yuendumu Ranger) The tracking work involved driving along transects that had been dragged the previous day to provide a and Danae Moore (Indigenous Land Management fresh tracking surface. One person drove while the Officer, Central Land Council) The Web •  Gouldian finch sightings kit available An information kit aimed at helping landholders, birdwatchers and travellers in northern Australia identify Gouldian finches in the wild was recently released by WWF. An information kit aimed at helping land- improved fire and grazing management. holders, birdwatchers and travellers in northern Australia identify Gouldian finches The kit contains information about current in the wild was recently released by WWF. recovery projects and details of the kind of habitat to look for Gouldians in and how to Written by TSN coordinator Colleen undertake waterhole counts to monitor O’Malley, with assistance from other local Gouldian numbers. members of the national recovery team, the kit is aimed at eliciting sightings of wild A PDF version of the kit can be accessed on birds from members of the public. More the WWF website: http://wwf.org.au/News_ detailed information on where Gouldians arks a n d W ildlif e Se r v ic and_information/Publications/PDF/Conser- occur in the wild will help the team build up a better picture of current distribution, vation_guide/gouldianfinchsightingskit.pdf . and assist with planning projects aimed at Hardcopies are also available for $10 by

enhancing Gouldian habitat through n Le wis , N T P © M ilto emailing [email protected]

Camels in the rangelands – action plan development The development of a five-year national action plan to manage feral camel populations is underway across the rangelands. Around forty people met in Alice Springs to discuss There was general agreement that camel numbers the plan; including representatives from pastoral needed to be stabilised and reduced in areas where groups, Aboriginal organisations, tourism operators, there were demonstrated impacts. It was also agreed wildlife management agencies, veterinarians and that a collaborative national approach using a national and State-based feral management programs. combination of culling and live harvest of animals would be necessary to achieve effective control. One of the greatest impediments to achieving effective camel control was deemed to be the absence of national funding for strategic control programs be- cause camels are not recognised nationally as being a serious feral threat. The workshop acknowledged © N T P&WS that there was a need to change public perceptions Participants were given the sobering news that the about camels and to address conflicting media and wild camel population across the rangelands was advertising messages showing camels as an integral estimated to be around 500,000. This figure is part of the Australian outback. expected to double in eight years, meaning around 8000, camels per year would need to be removed Based on discussions and collaborations developed from the NT alone. at the workshop, a working group coordinated by Dr Glenn Edwards from the NT Parks and Wildlife There were also informative presentations on camel Service is in the process of developing a draft impacts on infrastructure and native vegetation, the national action plan for feral camels. state of the existing camel industry (tourism, co-grazing, live export and meat production), and For more information please contact Glenn Edwards camel harvest programs across a number of Aboriginal email: [email protected] communities in Central Australia.

For more information on Rangelands News contact the Arid Rangelands TSN Coordinator, Colleen O’Malley, on The Web •  ph: 08 8952 1541 email: [email protected]