BushNewsletter of the Conservation PartnersMatters Program of the No. Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW 10

Contents From the Director General 2 Managing fl ying fox camps 2 Biodiversity and climate change 3 Reconnecting the landscape: can weeds help restore rainforest ? 5 Half Moon Flat Wildlife Refuge, Mongarlowe 6 On the Bow Wow Creek Gorge 8 Action for climate change and biodiversity 10 Land for Wildlife in NSW 12 Marketing your slice of paradise 14 Desert knowledge 15 Book reviews/what’s on 16

Bow Wow Gorge in the Lower Hunter Valley is protected by a Conservation Agreement. The gorge is a fascinating place with galleries of fossils clearly visible in its steep cliff s and abundant wildlife including over 150 species of birds (see article on pages 8 and 9). This photo shows a view across the gorge to the . The property is part of a corridor of private and public land between Watagan and Werakata national parks. The Hunter Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority is working with landholders to improve the connection between bushland areas in the region as part of its Biodiversity Corridors Project. Photo: David Barnes

Autumn 2008 From the Director General

of our unique Australian wildlife These include the Wildlife Corridors and natural environments. One of project, the Alps to Atherton and the most important responses lies great Eastern Range connectivity in building greater connectivity and corridor project, and expansion of strengthening resilience of public and the Land for Wildlife Program. The private protected areas which contain Department has recently consolidated examples of the full range of natural its private land conservation ecosystems across the state. activities into a new Landscapes and Ecosystems Conservation Branch. This Conservation Partners are already recognises the increasingly important engaged in the formal protection contribution that Conservation of wildlife and its habitats through Partners are making to the protection Conservation Agreements and and conservation of natural and Wildlife Refuges on private and other cultural heritage. They complement public lands. Bush Matters showcases the large core public national parks initiatives contributing to the climate and reserves across the state, and thus change response. They are prime help address the challenges of climate examples of positive commitment and change. action. This edition of Bush Matters focuses on the theme of climate change, Considerable momentum is being LISA CORBYN which is a global issue of concern. generated to encourage broader Director General Substantial eff orts are underway to landholder involvement in voluntary Department of Environment and secure the survival and adaptation conservation in . Climate Change NSW

Conservation Act 1995. The grey-headed Managing fl ying-fox fl ying-fox is also listed as vulnerable under the Commonwealth Environment Protection camps and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Mention of fl ying-foxes produces a wide Increasingly the presence of fl ying-foxes range of reactions, with landowners is creating confl ict in urban areas. The whose crops are damaged by fl ying-foxes widespread and continued clearing of native concerned about their presence. However vegetation in eastern has resulted fl ying-foxes help to preserve native forests in a substantial reduction of the habitat by pollinating plants and dispersing for fl ying-fox foraging and roosting. As a seed, and this is essential for forestry and result, fl ying-foxes are increasingly roosting conservation of biodiversity. in camps near urban areas when food is Three species of fl ying-fox roost in large locally available. In addition, urban housing numbers in camps in NSW: the grey- is expanding into places which have been headed, black and little red fl ying-fox. historically or irregularly used for fl ying-fox These are protected under the National camps. Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. Grey-headed To provide assistance to deal with these and black fl ying-foxes are also listed as situations, the Department of Environment vulnerable under the Threatened Species and Climate Change NSW (DECC) has produced the Flying-fox Camp Management Conservation Partners Program Policy. DECC staff , the broad community and wildlife carers, local government and Email: [email protected] catchment management authorities will all Website: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/cpp/ConservationPartners.htm fi nd information and guidance on how to Postal address: Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW, PO Box appropriately conserve and manage fl ying- A290, South NSW 1232 fox camps in NSW. Your contacts for information about the program and correspondence about the newsletter are: Find the document at www.environment. Sally Ash 02 9995 5000 [email protected] nsw.gov.au/policiesandguidelines/ Louise Brodie 02 9995 5000 [email protected] fl yingfoxcamppol.htm Contact Kylie McClelland at DECC on 02 9995 Would you like to hear about upcoming events? 5487 Go to the Conservation Partners website, or send us your email address [email protected]

2 Bush Matters Autumn 2008 Biodiversity and climate change Climate change is regularly in the news. We change to Climate change would Photo: © DECC, D. Hunter pose a threat to any energy saving light bulbs and species found in areas consider solar panels. What that are near the upper about biodiversity? How can limit of their temperature range or in areas from we help our plants and animals which they cannot adapt to climate change? It is migrate. easy to feel overwhelmed by In the , the whole idea. species such as the southern corroboree frog The good news about climate change and the mountain pygmy possum could be lost. is that many actions which deal with Photo: © DECC, L. Broome climate change also benefi t us in other The mountain pygmy ways. For example, reducing emissions possum hibernates under from industries will not only decrease greenhouse gases, but also improve air snow in winter with quality and human health. In a similar breeding success directly way, planning for biodiversity and climate related to the depth of change builds on and adapts strategies snow. Given that snow already in place to help protect native cover has declined over plants and animals. the last 40 years, this species and its ability to Climate change has occurred throughout breed could be directly geological history and has been a major aff ected in the future. driving force for evolution, with plants and animals slowly adapting to new conditions. However, there is signifi cant concern that human activities may be causing a much Australia’s geographical isolation which more rapid change. Along with changes in occurred early in the earth’s history, and Coordinating average temperature (which is predicted the great diversity in our climate. However, to generally increase) and rainfall, we many species may have trouble adapting Australia’s response can expect changes to the frequency of with the rate of change associated with Despite uncertainties, there are a range extreme events such as storms, fl oods, climate change as they can only survive in of important actions we can take and heatwaves and bushfi res. a limited climate range. planning to coordinate these is taking Schedule 3 of the NSW Threatened Species There is uncertainty about how individual place. Conservation Act 1995 lists Anthropogenic species and ecosystems might respond At a national level, the National Climate Change as a key threatening to climate change. Organisms that coped Biodiversity and Climate Change Action process as does the Commonwealth with previous climate change using Plan 2004–2007 has been produced. Environment Protection and Biodiversity strategies such as migrating to more (www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/ Conservation Act 1999. suitable areas, will fi nd this more diffi cult publications/nbccap/index.html). The website of the Department of in our landscape where habitats have Environment and Climate Change NSW been fragmented. The impact of other The NSW Government has developed the provides background information on environmental stresses such as weeds, NSW Biodiversity and Climate Change climate change—go to www.environment. grazing, fi re regimes and water extraction Adaptation Framework 2007–2008, which nsw.gov.au/climatechange/index.htm or will also aff ect the ability of native plants can be found at www.environment.nsw. phone the DECC Information Centre on 131 and animals to adapt to climate change. gov.au/threatspec/climatechange.htm 555. Species most at risk include those with These provide frameworks to help long life spans, poor reproducers, poor government tackle climate change and mobility, those only found in a narrow its impact on biodiversity. Actions to deal How might climate range of locations, those with specifi c with. These impacts include : relationships with other plants, animals change affect and ecosystems, isolated and specialised • researching and monitoring impacts species and those which require large and adaptation biodiversity? areas of land for their survival. • incorporating adaptation strategies into policy and operations Biodiversity is the term used to encompass Conversely, some species, both native and all living organisms, including plants, exotic, may be advantaged by climate • providing adaptation planning animals, fungi and micro-organisms. change as they migrate into new areas and methods and tools Australia is one of the world’s most compete with local species. • minimising the impacts of climate biologically diverse countries, and has change on key ecosystems and species more endemic species (found nowhere else) than any other nation. This is due to Bush Matters - Summer 2005-6 Bush Matters Autumn 2008 3 • minimising the increased threat of Networks linking vegetation across regions on both, is more easily maintained where invasive species that comes with and over the whole country will allow the the landholders are managing their land climate change migration of plants and animals. In order for conservation. Landholders working • improving communication to to help adaptation to climate change, such collaboratively with reserve managers better share knowledge and raise networks need to incorporate the diff erent and other landholders make a major community awareness climatic gradients. contribution. In-situ conservation is emphasised. This is Build resilience to climate change Monitoring conservation values and the conservation of species and ecological threats communities in their natural location to The resilience of an ecosystem is a better facilitate natural adaptation. This measure of its ability to withstand and Landholders with Conservation strategy requires the involvement and recover from environmental stresses and Agreements, Wildlife Refuges and Land for support of landholders so that species can disturbances. Healthy ecosystems are Wildlife properties are in an ideal position be conserved in their natural habitat. more resilient and are better able to adapt to implement monitoring programs which to climate change. will provide information about changes on Ex-situ conservation is another option, their properties. Adaptive management but is a high-cost intervention involving Landholders are already building the decisions can be made to respond to these moving species to other locations, captive resilience of ecosystems by controlling changes. breeding programs in zoos and setting weeds and pest animals. up seed banks. This approach does not conserve ecosystems and processes which Create refuges Find the best management would support a wide range of native techniques Refuges are natural areas where plant and plants and animals under threat. animal species may survive the immediate To identify the best ways to protect impacts of climate change and extreme our most vulnerable species, research events and then disperse to colonise new is needed into issues such as fi re What action can locations as environmental conditions management, grazing, and regeneration allow. Native vegetation on private land is of habitats. Long-term monitoring and individuals take instrumental in providing refuges. evaluation programs are essential for to protect our providing a clear picture, and there are Create buff er zones many ways for landholders can participate in such programs. biodiversity? Buff er zones around key habitats are Patterns of biodiversity in the landscape important in maintaining the health How do we put these into action? and resilience of the core habitat as they may change over time with climate A number of articles in this edition of change. Existing ecological communities provide a degree of protection from adverse impacts such as weed invasion. Bush Matters give practical examples may disappear and other new ones of translating planning into on-ground emerge. Species which are currently Where private land and public reserves actions. ‘protected’ in public reserves and other adjoin, the quality of native vegetation protected areas could be put at risk. The actions and strategies listed below enable us to help the natural adaptation The eff ects of of species to climate change and protect climate change on species that are particularly vulnerable. our coastal regions has the potential Individual landholders already play to adversely aff ect an important role. Landholders with marine ecosystems Conservation Agreements, Wildlife Refuges near the coast. and Land for Wildlife properties are already participating in action to conserve Changes to biodiversity and providing opportunities currents, water for adaptation to climate change. temperatures and to the amount Create networks of protected areas and quality of run off will all Predictive modelling has shown that many impact on coastal species could be adversely aff ected unless and waterway populations of these species are able to environments. move across the landscape. This is assisted by setting in place a comprehensive and Rising sea levels adequate network of protected areas will aff ect land, which represent the range of ecosystems and saline water present. will move further upstream. This is not simply a government action, but a whole-of-community initiative. National parks are protected areas. Land under Conservation Agreements and Wildlife Refuges also contribute to a protected area network.

4 Bush Matters Autumn 2008 Reconnecting the landscape Can weeds help restore rainforest across cleared areas?

Creating ecological connectivity between patches of native vegetation often involves restoration of areas which are largely cleared. Replanting can seem like the obvious way to restore native vegetation, but is very expensive. Natural regeneration may occur but this will depend on the time since the area was cleared and the intensity of any farming or other land use that has taken place. Understanding the processes of natural regeneration can enable the identifi cation of stages and techniques which might speed the process along. Weed species in vegetation restoration can be viewed as providing sorely needed habitat and assisting the process of natural regeneration. An alternative view is that weeds should be removed as a matter of urgency for a variety of reasons. In the early stages of rainforest regeneration, woody vegetation will shade out aggressive exotic grass Camphor laurel dominated regrowth adjacent to extensive forests of the in north-east New and herbaceous species, and provide South Wales. a favourable microclimate for the establishment of native rainforest species. Adult trees in the patches were mostly positive eff ect on assisting diverse species Seed dispersal in rainforest is important, mature camphor laurels, some privet and to survive. However, in highly cleared especially for spreading seed into areas 25% native species. The new generation of landscapes exotic species may provide the being restored. Exotic species may attract trees were of a diff erent mix with only 22% only habitat components for a number animals and birds which disperse seeds. being camphor laurel and 47% natives. of species, and their continued survival Interestingly, many native tree species would be jeopardised by the rapid Research was undertaken in the Big Scrub typical of mature rainforest and dispersed removal of the exotic plants. region (east of Lismore in northern NSW) by birds were appearing as young plants looking at rainforest restoration in patches even though they were uncommon as While the conservation of remnants of camphor laurel, a major weed species of adults. of relatively intact native vegetation cleared areas in this region. remains a priority for management, connectivity between patches of bushland Investigations included which bird species Using camphor laurel to facilitate and rainforest is needed. This allows the consume the fruits of rainforest plants movement of native animals although and disperse their seeds; how common rainforest restoration we need to recognise that these areas these birds are in camphor laurel regrowth have had large changes and it is highly patches and which rainforest plants are We can use this information to develop unlikely that the restored areas can ever recruiting in these patches. Twenty four strategies for rainforest restoration, using be identical to those that previously patches of well-developed camphor a staged approach. We can retain camphor existed. In this case we need to look at the regrowth were examined. laurel regrowth until a large pool of native species have established and the canopy function of the vegetation and adapt our Most frugivorous (fruit-eating) birds used is closed. At this point, the camphor laurel management and restoration practices the patches in winter when camphor trees and seedlings can be removed which include the role of weeds in the laurel is in fruit. Many were also present in progressively from the site. functioning and restoration of ecosystems. summer when most native rainforest trees were fruiting. Birds such as the fi gbird, The study was carried out by the pied currawong, rose-crowned fruitdove Exotic plants and rainforest Rainforest Cooperative Research Centre and topknot pigeon, all of which have restoration which was funded through 1993 to 2006. a high potential to disperse rainforest Information can be found in a report at www.jcu.edu.au/rainforest/issues.htm. seeds, were found to be common and This research showed that some exotic widespread in the regrowth patches. species may have a positive role in The work of the Rainforest CRC and assisting forest restoration in cleared The patches contained a large number publications produced can be accessed landscapes. A case-by-case assessment of local rainforest species including trees, at www.jcu.edu.au/rainforest/. Contact: is needed to see if this translates to other palms, shrubs, vines, epiphytes and ferns Professor Nigel Stork, Rainforest CRC, PO landscapes with diff erent exotic species. at all stages of growth. It was shown that Box 6811 Cairns QLD 4870. Phone 07 4042 Some invasive weed species have little seedlings of native trees can survive and 1246 grow in camphor laurel patches.

Bush Matters - Summer 2005-6 Bush Matters Autumn 2008 5 Half Moon Flat Wildlife Refuge, Mongarlowe

SUMMER By Sandra von Sneidern This place’s quality is not its former nature but a struggle to heal itself after many wounds. Upheaved ironstone, mudstone, quartz and clay This fascinating property drank dark blood once, heard cries and the running of feet. has attracted many creative Now that the miners’ huts are a tumble of chimney-stones and interesting people over shafts near the river shelter a city of wombats. Scabs of growth form slowly over the rocks. the years, to live among its Lichens, algae, wind-bent saplings grow. varied natural landscapes and I’ll never know its inhabitants. Evening torchlight abundant wildlife. catches the moonstone eyes of big wolf-spiders. All day the jenny-lizard dug hard ground Half Moon Flat Wildlife Refuge lies between watching for shadows of hawk or kookaburra. Braidwood and Morton National Park on At evening, her pearl-eggs hidden, she raked back earth the Mongarlowe River; a tributary of the over the tunnel, wearing a wide grey smile. Shoalhaven. A long way back in geological In burned-out summer, I try to see without words time as the Mongarlowe River meandered as they do. But I live through a web of language. through Half Moon Flat it formed an Boronia rhomboidea. Judith Wright oxbow. Later the river broke through the Photo: © DECC, H Matthews high rocky ridge producing a ‘headland’, now known as ‘Sydney Heads,’ leaving In 1902 a dredge was built on Half Moon Ted Richardson remembers the Depression lagoons with deposits of gold in the Flat and worked its way through the years when the area up and down Feagans bypassed riverbed. lagoons. Water was required for hydraulic Creek was heavily settled, people cultivated sluicing and a fl ume was built over the vegetables, raised stock and fossicked to Mongarlowe River at Sydney Heads to keep alive. Mary Harris remembers riding Early goldmining take water from a race on the western side with Harry Neilsen past the many remnants to the dredge. The fl ume was 61 metres of huts and a large house site that may In 1852 gold was found near Mongarlowe long and built of wood and the water was have been the boarding house run by the and the infl ux of goldminers, both then carried through a rock tunnel to the Seidel family, who owned the land up to European and Chinese, subsequently dredge. the Half Moon gate. Years later Herman aff ected the surrounding landscape along Seidel was murdered by his wife after one the river and its tributaries. Often, when As well, there were extensive mine beating too many. She was acquitted. the Europeans gave up, the Chinese workings along Feagans Creek with water moved in and meticulously worked over races, huts and vegetable gardens. A the same ground with good results. bridge was constructed across the lower Beginnings of the Wildlife Refuge They used tailings to carefully construct part of the creek so that miners could walk vertically stacked stonewalls to either over to the workings on the other side. The In 1962 Stewart Harris bought Half Moon facilitate drainage, dam up water supplies remnants of this can still be seen—if you Flat from Harry Neilsen. It was then or to keep rainwater from the workings. know where to look. bounded by the Mongarlowe River, Bobs Unlike the Europeans, the Chinese were The Day Dawn Mine on the western side Creek and Feagans Creek. The land was well organised and worked cooperatively. of Feagans Creek was started around 1884 added and the old stone house built by The whole of the Half Moon area is riddled and eventually reached a depth of 122 John Feagan was restored with the help of with shafts, tunnels, mullock heaps and the metres. Due to the high-water table in the a government grant. water races used to wash the dirt through Half Moon area, pumps were constantly in When Harry Neilsen wanted to sell the the sluice boxes. In the early days mercury use and it eventually closed down in 1908 was used as an amalgam to extract the Seidel property which he had bought with the low gold yield making the mine earlier, Stewart acquired it as well and now gold. Some mercury is probably still in the uneconomic. soil while tests have shown its presence in owned all the country between the river the Mongarlowe River. Later on cyanide and Feagans Creek, and from the gate was used to extract the gold. 1.3km down Half Moon Road to Bob’s Creek Recent history further north. This resulted in a total of James Williams and William Mc Dowell Half Moon escaped the bushfi re that 2500 acres on which they mostly ran cattle. were the fi rst to purchase land on Half almost destroyed the Mongarlowe Village This was Half Moon. Moon Flat. John Feagan built the only large on the 13th January 1919. Ten years later, house in the area in 1863—a substantial Except for a small area near The Brook the with winds from the west, Half Moon was two storey stone building called The Brook country was mostly scrub with some of the on fi re destroying Richardson’s and Seidel’s which at one time was run as a dairy farm. ridges covered by an impenetrable blanket properties and spreading to Currockbilly Feagan’s daughter, Eleanor, married James of Alloasuarina nana. There are very few where the school and other houses Richardson and their son Edwin Arthur also large trees but much regrowth since the were lost before continuing through to lived there with his wife Mary Seidel where miners and eucalypt distillers disappeared. the coast. Since then there have been their son, Ted, was born. He became a well- no serious bush fi res in this area and Mining turned over a lot of soil, pitted it known identity and had many stories to tell native vegetation has reclaimed the land, with shafts, tunnels, holes and mullock about the people who lived around there covering the scars of human endeavours. heaps leaving the soil denuded and and Mongarlowe.

6 Bush Matters Autumn 2008 unproductive with erosion a continuing and birds in intimate detail. Judith never distribution and habitat under the tutelage problem. considered that she owned the land—it of Mark Lintermans a Senior Aquatic was hers to care for. Ecologist with Environment ACT. There is a wide diversity of animals and birds in the Half Moon area. Swamp Solvig Baas Becking AM who became a The Macquarie perch requires a clean river wallabies live in the gullies, red necked close friend of Judith, built her own home with clear access across riffl es in order to wallabies are everywhere with grey on the property, Mithem, where she lived spawn and multiply. kangaroos mainly staying in more open from 1975. The surrounding landscape country. Quolls have been seen; echidnas inspired some of her most outstanding Cattle have been largely removed from waddle around; wombats leave their woven fl oor rugs—Gum leaves, Rusty Iron much of Half Moon over the last 30 years, calling cards and platypus play up and and Rain on my Dam amongst many others. except for some stock on cleared country. down the river and its tributaries. There are Some of her fl oor rugs are held in national This has allowed the country to revert to a several pairs of gang gang cockatoos; the and state galleries. They all express what more natural ecosystem. Rufous Whistler nests here and the yellow she saw around her. On her property Half Moon was a Wildlife Reserve with tailed black cockatoos scream across the mining in the past has caused huge erosion multiple owners in 1985. Since then sky. The rare species, Eucalyptus recurva and problems. A 6metre actively eroding gully some of the original owners have sold or Boronia rhomboidea, have been discovered was sending tonnes of sediment into subdivided their property. However nearly on Half Moon. They are remnants of Ice Settlers Flat Creek. Mongarlowe Landcare all the new owners and residents, have Age plants also found among the high together with the Catchment Management pledged to carry on the intention of the mountains of Tasmania. Authority (CMA) worked to alleviate the original Half Moon Wildlife Refuge. situation with a 400mm pipe attached to Hunters, fi shermen, fossickers and vagrants a sump taking water directly to the creek We all know one another and have a used to come to Half Moon to shelter and the surrounding bank revegetated common purpose—to keep Half Moon as in the remnants of buildings or shacks. with trees, scrubs and Lomandra native to a natural environment, a refuge for plants Stewart Harris was concerned with the the area. and animals. infl ux of people causing damage to the land and the campfi res out of control. As References: From 1985 the rest of the property was Roger McDonald, ed (1990) Gone Bush Bantam Books— an environmentalist, he decided in 1972 sold, except for The Lagoons. All the Includes From the Ridge to the River by Judith Wright to register Half Moon as a Wildlife Refuge incoming owners signed a Wildlife Refuge Judith Wright (1994) Collected Poems Angus and Robertson - Includes Summer (reporduced with permission) hoping to control trespassers. Story goes, a Agreement. In this way Mal and Jenny Barry Mc Gowan (1996) Bungonia to Braidwood self-published year later he cleared away all the building Sharpe, Pru and George Ingham, both Bruce Russel (1994) Mongarlowe and the Little River Goldfi elds remnants and shacks. designers in wood, Roger Ford a fi lmmaker, Braidwood and District Historical Society Judith Wright’s Archives-Friends of the Mongarlowe River Jill Ford, Ailsa Korten, a statistician, John National Library - includes Meeting on 15/02/1986 Real and Anthony Maxwell became part of Solvig Baas Becking—A retrospective Catalogue from Goulburn the Half Moon Wildlife Reserve. Christine Regional Gallery Bot an artist and her husband Sasha Grishin Netta Ellis (1997) Braidwood Dear Braidwood self published eventually bought The Lagoons a few years For information and anecdotes the following people have been invaluable: later. • Mary Harris—the wife of Stewart, who lived on Half Moon for many years. Half Moon has had its share of fi ghting • Paul Dann who lives on Half Moon and has detailed knowledge of mining sites and activities over the whole of threats to the environment and this Half Moon. continued with a meeting on 15th • Solvig Baas Becking, Mal Sharp, Prue Ingham and John February 1986 when several people from McGrath all contributed vital information about the area. Red-necked wallaby. Photo: © DECC, H Matthews Half Moon met at Judith Wright’s home to fi ght against proposed gold mining Stewards of the land development and dredging lease of the Mongarlowe River. Their concern was for The following year, Stewart subdivided the Macquarie perch and spiny crayfi sh as the Seidels part of Half Moon into lots of well as the platypus. There was a danger around 100 acres. He wanted to sell the that dredging in particular would stir property but also wanted to make sure that up the mercury lying in the sediments only people who were environmentally of the river which together with the aware and would care for the land were resulting turbidity would threaten these allowed to buy it. Stewart interviewed populations. Although the Tallaganda Shire the prospective purchasers (much to the Council had given consent this was later amazement of Phil Shoemark, the local quashed in the Land and Environment estate agent) to sound out their attitude Court. to the environment. If they ‘passed muster’ each was required to sign a Wildlife Refuge Since then, the original group has agreement with NPWS. expanded becoming the Friends of the Mongarlowe River Inc. and still includes Having met all the requirements, amongst 11 Half Moon residents many of whom the fi rst people to move to Half Moon are founding members. The aim of the were the poet Judith Wright, Solvig Baas organisation is still the same— ‘ to work Becking a weaver and Alan Geier, a marine for the protection of the Mongarlowe biologist. Judith Wright lived here until a River and its catchment areas, and the few years before her death. She named her maintenance/improvement of its quality.’ part Edge because it was on the edge of The present ongoing project is to assess Half Moon. The poem Summer was written the presence of the now nationally at Edge and in her essay From the Ridge to endangered Macquarie perch, its Mongarlowe River. Photo: © DECC, H Matthews the River she takes a walk around her bush retreat describing the rocks, plants, animals Bush Matters - Summer 2005-6 Bush Matters Autumn 2008 7 On the Bow Wow Creek Gorge

Colin and Pamela Fitzsimons have a Conservation Agreement on 64 hectares of their property at Mount Vincent, south-west of Cessnock. Here they describe some of the many special features of the property.

When we enter what T.W. Edgeworth David1 described as a ‘rugged narrow gorge’ via the house yard (the only permitted route) and across Wallis Creek into the Bow Wow Creek Gorge (BWCG) we are almost immediately in the rainforest on the narrow fl oor of the gorge through which winds Bow Wow Creek. The creek fl ows for 1.6km, enclosed by cliff s on either side rising 50-80 metres but mostly hidden from us on the ground by the dense vegetation. Thinned after the June 2007 storms, the canopy is gradually returning to its previous dense cover. Just now with the thin canopy and previously grey sandstone rocks sandblasted to their original colour by the rush of water during that 300mm rain storm, there is a new golden glow. There are many interesting scenic and scientifi c features to enjoy and explore. Among the more than 150 species Rainforest vegetation in the gorge. Photo: David Barnes of birds the powerful owl is a regular visitor, but not always seen holding the previous night’s brushtail possum catch, cycads from ancient time Macrozamia as photographed by John Goswell during reducta (formerly part of M.communis) the 2006 NPWS Discovery tour. The tour and Macrozamia fl exuosa, where also group also had a glimpse of the regent roam the dragon-like lace monitors up to bower bird in a place where satin bower 1.5m in length. birds live all year. In spring there are lots of bird nests to discover including In the BWCG a researcher, Michael Shea grey goshawk, raven, sacred and azure studies snails and has found they are kingfi shers, white-throated and brown most abundant here; some 34 diff erent gerygone—and the list continues. species of native snails in the rainforest leaf litter. BWCG is rich with a variety of Throughout the year walking groups, fungi waiting to be found, photographed each here for their special interest, and identifi ed by the enthusiastic are guided through Bow Wow Creek mycologist. In 1907, T.W. Edgeworth Gorge. The botanically inclined enjoy David published pictures of the fossils the diversity of vegetation types as in the rocks and many specimens are the gorge twists from north-south to encountered as we walk up the creek east-west orientation where the north and along the cliff face where limestone facing cliff s and slopes are dried by the columns and stalactites also may be sun. Opposite beneath the rise there is a seen. Every walk in the gorge is diff erent. lush moist growth with diff erent species. In many places are ferns and orchids and BWCG was created over time beginning Callistemon shiressii a species with quite when the land was part of the super- a limited range of occurrence. Above continent Gondwana (or perhaps earlier on the plateau over the BWCG, we see as part of Pangaea before Gondwana

8 Bush Matters Autumn 2008 broke away); the slow erosion revealing National Park 3km to the south with on sheer vertical surfaces of sandstone, Werakata National Park which is about sea shell and other fossils deposited the same distance away to the north. some 250 million years ago. The delicate A 2001 study funded by Cessnock City surface fossils enhanced by weathering, Council identifi ed seven vegetation along with the fl ora and fauna are types in the Bow Wow Creek catchment, protected by legislation at all levels of highlighting its diversity of habitat and government. Federally BWCG is listed explaining the high number (>150) on the Register of the National Estate. It of bird species recorded’ since 1993, is classifi ed by the National Trust (NSW), making it an important stepping zone conserved via Conservation Agreement in the north-south link between the two (CA) under the National Parks and Wildlife national parks. Act 1974 and, as part of the Bow Wow Creek catchment which is currently To protect the vulnerable and entirely in private ownership, the endangered fl ora and fauna, a gorge has been given a protective local Conservation Agreement was established environment plan (LEP) by Cessnock City in 2005 with the NSW Minister for Council. the Environment. Of those species of particular interest for the Agreement Little is known to us about Aboriginal because of the habitat present, we activities in BWCG and so far we have sometimes see the powerful owl, sooty found no evidence of occupation, but owl, yellow-bellied glider, glossy black with grinding rock grooves within a few cockatoo, grey-crowned babbler, brown kilometres we can be sure Aboriginal treecreeper and long-footed myotis people passed through. Initial European (fi shing bat) or evidence thereof. The interest in the area was to develop a north-south wildlife link proposal was land route from Sydney to Newcastle via an important determinant for the Fossil Galleries. Photo: © DECC, S. Ash the crossing at Wisemans Ferry; then in Conservation Agreement. harvesting timber and later establishing References This year we hope to eliminate the dairy farms on the cleared land. Now 1 David, T W E (1907) Geology of the Hunter River coal measures the dollar value of the land is so high, remaining established lantana, leading to Memoirs of the Geological Survey of NSW (Geology) 4 2 properties have been subdivided. an easier future of controlling weeds as Bell S. and Murray M. (2001) The Ecological Signifi cance of they emerge. This and other maintenance Bow Wow Creek Gorge, A Nationally Signifi cant Site Report to Farming of small lots is often not viable Cessnock City Council means a lot of not-all-easy bushwalking but the interest of industry has not 3 Fitzsimons, Pamela A. Personal observations since 1993 waned. The next change is soon to occur ahead. Along with tools and materials we as extended height long-wall coal mining carry camera and binoculars and always approaches below, potentially in the next that hope for the next sighting. few years collapsing Wallis and Bow Wow Creeks and possibly aff ecting the Bow Wow Creek Gorge. Our local community group of volunteers, Mount Vincent Landcare, regularly helps with maintenance and planting. The main weed pests have been crofton weed, now under control after regular (1% glyphosate) spot spraying of emergent plants for the past 10 years and lantana where we have had welcome success eradicating since adopting the ‘splatter gun’ technique promoted by the National Lantana Task Force, (and as described in Bush Matters Spring 2006). We do still use cut and paste where appropriate and pulling of small lantana seedlings. Other threats come from edge eff ects of adjacent clearing and from upstream clearing which increases the speed and quantity of water run off , initiating erosion and later leaving a dry creek as little water is retained upstream. Hunter and Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority is having some success in encouraging owners of small holdings to set aside part of their land for vegetation/wildlife corridors Photo: © DECC, S. Ash linking through BWCG, the Watagan

Bush Matters - Summer 2005-6 Bush Matters Autumn 2008 9 Action for climate change and biodiversity

There are a number of these corridors. To identify corridors for A number of groups including community climate change, previous work on specifi c groups, DECC, Bush Heritage Australia, ways that landholders are habitat and corridors has been used. Greening Australia, Nature Conservation translating identifi ed climate Consideration has also been given to Trust of NSW and the relevant catchment change strategies into on- social factors such as where communities management authorities are working and partner organisations are found together on these corridors. ground action and education. which are likely to participate in the initial trial and pilot projects. Using existing knowledge to Creating networks identify corridors Building on existing projects of protected areas Mapping of key wildlife habitats and Projects already being undertaken can The Department of Environment and corridors has already been undertaken also incorporate actions for climate Climate Change NSW (DECC), through in north-east NSW. Priority corridors for change. In southern NSW, projects are the Conservation Partnerships Section, climate change have been identifi ed already underway on identifi ed priority is working to implement the Climate using this work with the incorporation of corridors. The Kosciuszko to Coast (K2C) Action Wildlife Habitats and Corridors additional criteria. These criteria incuded corridor was featured in an article in the Community Conservation Project funded corridors providing habitat for native last edition of Bush Matters. A second by the NSW Climate Change Fund. species predicted to be vulnerable to corridor is the Slopes to Summit (S2S) climate change, and where at least 30% of This project involves the identifi cation of which will link natural areas from the the mapped corridor has been identifi ed climate change corridors, together with western slopes near Albury to Kosciuszko as key habitat. protecting and improving the health of National Park. Community groups are native vegetation and wildlife habitat in key members of the steering committee.

Kosciuszko to Coast The K2C partnership can help with the following: • fi eld days and training, sharing information and becoming part of a community network • species identifi cation courses and on- ground plant and animal surveys • stewardship payments—resting land with options for grazing • Voluntary Conservation Agreements— setting aside land for conservation in perpetuity • establishing wildlife refuges • incentive funding to assist with fencing and revegetation • opportunities to sell grassy woodlands with high conservation value Check the map to see if you are in the K2C area. If you wish to get involved contact: K2C Project Facilitator, c/- Post Offi ce, Bredbo NSW 2626. via email at [email protected], or call Lauren on 0411 402 978.

The inaugural Kosciuszko2Coast Open Day on the dynamic ‘Ingelara’ property, Michelago, on Saturday 12th April 2008 was a great success. Photo: © DECC, Stuart Cohen

10 Bush Matters Autumn 2008 Sections of the corridors with intact vines are one of the most serious groups Weed education programs for native vegetation were recorded, as well of weed invaders. Field surveys are being children as sections requiring work to enhance used to investigate the impacts and fragmented areas and to re-establish distribution of these in one endangered Educating children about the threat of connections with large patches of ecological community—littoral rainforest. weeds and the potential for this threat bushland. to increase under a changing climate For more information contact paul. is the key to long-term, sustainable One identifi ed corridor runs across the [email protected] management. Kyogle area and a number of landholder workshops and gatherings will be held A new school resource that educates here over future months. Landholders are Strategically managing weeds children about the impacts of weeds encouraged to formally protect their land that threaten biodiversity was developed through a partnership for conservation. between the Australian Government, Many landholders with Conservation DECC, NSW Department of Education and DECC is working with the Agreements and Wildlife Refuges have Training, and NSW Department of Primary CMA, Landcare, the Nature Conservation already been invited to nominate one Industries. Council, the Border Ranges Alps to or more sites on their properties where Atherton Implementation Group and widespread weeds are impacting Weeds Attack! is an interactive multimedia the World Heritage Central Eastern on native plants and animals. The resource that involves students in Rainforests Reserve Community Advisory nomination of these sites is part of a authentic scientifi c investigation, Committee. project in which DECC, the Department problem-solving and interactive games of Primary Industries and the 13 to increase weed awareness. Students are catchment management authorities are engaged by exciting computer games Building resilient working together to determine regional and the opportunity to do ‘hands-on’ priorities in order to reduce the impact of fi eld work as Weed Warriors. Students widespread weeds on biodiversity. are empowered to act on weed issues ecosystems using biological control agents. In NSW, A recent report from the Weeds CRC students actively reduce the impact of Managing bushland and wetlands (Cooperative Research Centre), Impacts bitou bush by rearing, releasing and of high biodiversity value and within of weeds on threatened biodiversity monitoring the tortrix leaf-roller moth in priority corridors which are under threat in New South Wales (Coutts-Smith & their community. from weeds is vital for the retention of Downey 2006) found that weeds posed species diversity and to ensure we have a threat to 45% of all native species and Weeds Attack!, which focuses on bitou landscapes which are able to cope with communities listed as threatened (Find bush and other Weeds of National the impacts of climate change. this report at www.weeds.crc.org.au/ Signifi cance, addresses the NSW science documents/tech_series_11.pdf). curriculum and is easily adapted to other Managing weed invasion is a major states and territories. The program will be way that landholders are able to Widespread weeds in particular launched in NSW schools on June 13th improve the health of diff erent native are having a signifi cant impact on 2008. vegetation communities and wetlands biodiversity by competing with and Contact: Hillary Cherry at DECC 02 9585 on their property. There are a number of excluding native species. Strategically 6587, [email protected]. approaches to improving the knowledge managing this threat requires gov.au and skills of landowners to implement identifi cation of sites where weed control weed management programs. will result in the recovery of native species. Research on the eff ects of climate Landholders and other stakeholders are being invited to nominate areas of change on weeds high biodiversity value that are currently under threat from widespread weeds. It is expected that climate change will An assessment of the biodiversity value aff ect the distribution and level of weed and potential impact of weed control at invasion. Increasing temperatures, fewer a site is used to rank sites within each frosts and changes in rainfall will all catchment and guide future investment change the areas where diff erent weed in weed control for biodiversity species will fl ourish. Another factor will be conservation. Priority sites will be changes to the levels of carbon dioxide in monitored for the reduction in invasive the atmosphere. plants and the recovery of native species Contacts A project is being undertaken to following control. explore the impact of climate change If you would like more information on Landholder participation is vital for on invasive plant species in Australia by these projects or would like to participate, the ultimate success of the project, as a team comprising Paul Downey from contact details are given above or you can many areas of high biodiversity value DECC, and Lesley Hughes and Michelle contact Sally at sally.ash@environment. are on private land. To fi nd out more Leishman from Macquarie University. nsw.gov.au or phone Sally at DECC on 02 about this project or about how to Using a combination of bioclimatic 9995 5000 (switch). nominate a site in your area visit: www. modelling, fi eld surveys and experiments environment.nsw.gov.au/pestsweeds/ Coutts-Smith, A.J. and Downey, P.O. (2006) Impact of weeds manipulating CO2 and temperature, on threatened biodiversity in New South Wales. Technical Series RegionalWeedmgmtPriorities.htm or the potential distribution of around 50 no. 11, CRC for Australian Weed Management, Adelaide. contact: [email protected]. exotic plant species under several climate gov.au. change scenarios is being assessed. Exotic Bush Matters - Summer 2005-6 Bush Matters Autumn 2008 11 Land for Wildlife in NSW

Amanda Bland from the Community Environment Network (CEN) talks about the changing role of CEN, and its work with landholders.

Land for Wildlife (LFW) originated in Victoria in the early 1980’s and has proved successful as a voluntary non-binding program for recognising and supporting landholders who are providing habitat for wildlife. The program was taken up by a number of other states including NSW. In NSW the program has been coordinated at a statewide level by the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW (DECC) as part of the Conservation Partners Program. DECC entered into partnership arrangements with a number of community groups or local councils to implement the program in their local area. This is now changing. Currently in NSW, Land for Wildlife is delivered by Hornsby and Ballina Shire Councils, the (CEN) on the Central Coast, and by the Murrakool Landcare Group Mike and Sue of Lake Macquarie. Photo: © CEN, A. Bland in the Murray Catchment. In addition a number of landowners on the north coast expand it into a number of areas across Participants in the Central Coast LFW joined Land for Wildlife through a specifi c the state. Already three regions have Program receive: project. expressed interest in joining the program. • a site visit from a LFW extension Land for Wildlife offi cer Land for Wildlife • a site map and species list of both on the Central native and exotic species in NSW and • a detailed site report with Coast recommendations on managing the Community properties for native wildlife CEN has delivered Land for Wildlife on the Environment Central Coast since 2002. We are a non- • a LFW sign to display on the property profi t community-based organisation • opportunities to attend workshops Network working to improve ecological on managing vegetation and habitat sustainability and reduce the threats The Community Environment Network to it. CEN currently operates within the • access to the CEN regional seed has now assumed the role of the State local government areas of , Lake bank, to the CEN Bush Regeneration Coordinator of Land for Wildlife in NSW Macquarie and Wyong, and due to the team at subsidised rates and to other and we are pleased to expand our role popularity and benefi ts of LFW, CEN industry professionals and programs with LFW. We look forward to continuing extended LFW services to the Cessnock • help and advice with funding to work with DECC in supporting and City Council area in late 2006. opportunities and applications expanding the program. CEN will be working with all the providers and In the past two years LFW membership landholders currently in LFW across the has more than doubled from 100 to 250 Who has joined LFW on the state. landholders covering a total of 1183 Central Coast? hectares of native vegetation on the As State coordinators, CEN will continue Central Coast. During this period the LFW Land for Wildlife is a voluntary, non- to support existing partner agencies program on the Central Coast has been binding program which supports through regular updates on the program, funded via a grant received from the NSW landholders who wish to manage their conducting a NSW Land for Wildlife Government through its Environmental land for biodiversity values. LFW is not conference in 2008 and by providing a Trust. restricted to private landholders. On the wide range of resources. We have great Central Coast nine schools have joined expectations for the program and plan to the program, including Wyong Creek

12 Bush Matters Autumn 2008 Public School, which won the 2007 state and demonstrates that the contribution property site visits potential corridors are Landcare Education award. There are of Land for Wildlife to conservation on identifi ed and discussed with landholders. also seven Landcare sites registered with private lands is invaluable in achieving Land for Wildlife. These range in size biodiversity objectives. Comments The Land for Wildlife program on the from 4 ha in an urban area providing a included; Central Coast has built community haven for native wildlife to over 70 ha in awareness on the importance of these rural areas connecting large corridors to ‘I think it is a great program that areas, as well as promoting the benefi ts state forest. The inclusion of schools and should continue indefi nitely and that vegetated corridors have for Landcare sites increases the profi le of LFW more landowners be encouraged agricultural lands. across the region and gives recognition to participate for the benefi t of Through strategic targeting of areas to the dedicated people managing the the community and our natural there have been a number of signifi cant properties for wildlife habitat. environment’ corridors created, many of which link to national parks or reserves: ‘(Land for Wildlife) gives us a • 38 Land for Wildlife members have feeling of satisfaction in regards created a large corridor through to protecting our small corridor of Holgate/Matcham linking large an ecosystem’ areas of bushland in the Erina Creek Catchment. This semi-rural area ‘I am proud to be a part of Land is largely surrounded by urban for Wildlife’ development so this corridor provides a safe haven for native ‘Land for Wildlife is a wonderful wildlife. and very positive program’ • 32 Land for Wildlife members have created corridors along signifi cant rivers on the Central Coast. This helps Creating corridors native wildlife and also protects our across landscapes waterways by stabilising creek banks, reducing erosion and providing Through its Conservation on Private better habitat for native fi sh species. Wyong Public School students receiving their LFW sign Lands project, CEN has identifi ed strategic on a Community Catchment crawl. Photo: CEN, A. Bland • A signifi cant corridor in Lake wildlife corridors with the assistance of Macquarie encompasses 29 partner agencies. Corridors are designed Workshops properties adjoining Olney State to link large areas of native vegetation Forest and the Watagans National providing essential pathways for wildlife During the past three years CEN has Park. These properties range in to move between large areas such as size from 4ha to 300ha and are a held a total of 25 workshops for Land national parks and state forests. This will for Wildlife members on various topics prime example of the integration assist in helping native plants and animals of conservation on private lands with 370 attendees in total. In addition adapt to climate change. to members of LFW, other landholders in and sustainable agriculture. The the DECC Conservation Partners Program The criteria for selection of these strategic landholders are dedicated to with Conservation Agreements and corridors included good connectivity with maintaining the biodiversity and Wildlife Refuges have participated—in riparian areas and reserve systems using natural beauty of their area and have fact, several of these landholders have native vegetation corridor maps for the improved their properties through registered with LFW. The most positive three local government areas of Gosford, weed and feral animal management, outcome of the workshops is the stories Wyong and Lake Macquarie. During revegetation and improving habitat that landholders relay to us afterwards of for a wide variety of wildlife. how valuable their new found skills have been.

Regional seed bank

CEN has established a seed bank of local provenance native seed. Seed is collected on Land for Wildlife properties with the landowner’s permission, cleaned and stored for future propagation and revegetation. Some seed is off ered back to the landholders and the remaining seed is used for environmental works in that catchment. Landholder feedback CEN recently conducted a survey of all our LFW members on the Central Coast Photo: © CEN, A. Bland with over 25% of surveys returned. The feedback was positive and inspirational Bush Matters - Summer 2005-6 Bush Matters Autumn 2008 13 Marketing your slice of paradise Put a ticket on It By Leonie Gale, Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife You love it, so put a ticket on it —stick a ‘for sale’ sign at your property where it will be seen by the public, showing your best As Trinny and Susannah would say ‘It’s all emotive photograph, and proudly display about wearing the right type of clothes to your conservation partner sign. If your sign suit the body-shape and personality’. is getting ragged, contact Conservation And with marketing conservation Partners for the new shiny version. properties for sale our recent research undertaken for the DECC Conservation Partners Program has revealed that it’s Selling the sizzle all about the packaging. What sellers, Interest people in what you want to sell by buyers, agents and conservation program painting pictures with words. Let people managers want, according to the survey, is: envisage themselves owning the property and enjoying the experience. Language • help with advertising properties should be emotive and say what your ideal • making conservation properties highly buyer wants to know more than what you desirable feel you want to say. • attracting the ’right type’ of buyer Which of these do you prefer? Cradle Mountain Wilderness Lodges show how to capture the sizzle Enhancing the body-shape of your ‘You’ve done your time working in the city’ property Are you looking for that perfect place to relax? looking for a place to retire or get away ‘Wake up to birds not buses’ from the stresses of city life and work, or do some manual work. For these people, Owners know their property better than ‘Soak up the peace and quiet and breathe easy’ anyone—the best views, where the the internet is the favoured method of animals like to gather and the silent spaces. Or this actual wording from an fi nding their dream property. But this can The morning light over the grasslands advertisement; be diffi cult. Current real estate websites do not allow you to search easily for a with the mist rising from the creek and the ‘Nature and ecology lovers special’ dramatic sunsets making the granite rocks conservation property. There is a need for ‘Intense exposure to natural fl ora and fauna’ fl ame with colour are the intrinsic values broadened search parameters and/or a ‘Adjoins national park’ that make a piece of paradise so irresistible. purpose-driven website for conservation ‘Inviting exploring, bushwalking and trailrides’ properties for sale. These are the key attractors for the right type of buyers, so any promotion of your Finding the right people On the April long weekend, the property needs to show them to their best Sydney Morning Herald ran a feature advantage. Many photographs and images When promoting your property talk about article in Domain on conservation used in marketing conservation properties what your buyer will experience. And talk however show a photo of the house and properties that attracted 30 enquiries is important—a large proportion of buyers and fi ve property inspections. Proof sheds or a picture of a dam. heard about the property from the owners, that if we promote the values of our A picture paints a thousand words. Get their friends or neighbours. some good shots that capture its special conservation properties, the right Real estate agents use a mixture of buyers will come. features. What would you like to see if you marketing tools to fi nd the right buyer. In were a buyer? Show your house in the their case, the right buyer is the one that Traditional marketing through your local context of ‘living in nature’. Capture these will hand over the money. However, you real estate agent is still a good idea. Once special places in the best light. know you want a little more than that. your buyer has found your property on the Finding the right type of person who will Images need to be digital for easy use net, the next stop is the real estate agent’s give your property the care and attention on web sites or publications. High window where your property needs to that you have given is just as important as resolution allows use in diff erent stand out in the crowd. Newspaper and getting the right price. promotional mediums. If you’re not an ace web advertising, signs in the agent’s photographer maybe you have a friend If it’s not your neighbour, your buyer is window and on your property itself, sales who is. most likely to come from a town or city brochures and visits with the agent are all within two hours drive of the property, helpful to clinch the deal.

Private Land Conservation Small Grants Program A reminder that applications close 30 Conservation Agreement landowners have been invited to June 2008. Check the apply for funding through the Private Land Conservation Foundation for National Grants Program. This program is a partnership initiative of Parks & Wildlife website the Paddy Pallin Foundation, the Foundation for National www.fnpw.org.au or call Parks & Wildlife, the Humane Society International and the 02 9221 1949. DECC Conservation Partners Program. Photo: © DECC, L. Ransom

14 Bush Matters Autumn 2008 Desert knowledge

Interested in fi nding out more brings people and ideas together, networking across borders and making about our rangelands and the connections to build business deserts? The current issue of opportunities. The Rangeland Journal Vol 30 (1) The DKCRC covers the rangelands as 2008 is a special issue focusing mapped below. Seventy percent of Australia is arid (average rainfall <250 mm) on desert knowledge. or semi-arid (average rainfall 250–350 mm), making Australia the driest inhabited ‘Desert Knowledge’ is broadly defi ned as continent in the world. These rangelands unique knowledge of living well in the annually generate signifi cant wealth desert. In Australia, it is growing aided by through a range of increasingly diverse the formation of the Desert Knowledge industries such as mining, tourism, desert Cooperative Research Centre (DKCRC) and art and agriculture. They are also valued Photo: R. Shepherd Desert Knowledge Australia (DKA). for their unique environments. They have DKCRC is a research organisation made diverse ecosystems which support unique 2008 Desert up of 28 partner organisations around native plants and animals which contribute Australia. Each participates by contributing to Australia’s biodiversity. Knowledge resources to the centre which enables These regions have a number of unique Symposium and research to be undertaken. The research attributes. The climate is dry, unpredictable aims to see how things can be done in and with extremes. This climate combined Business Showcase these arid and semi-arid environments with soil of low fertility results in scarce using both western science and indigneous natural resources. Plants, animals and Developing Desert Directions: traditional knowledge and improve the people have developed ways of life that Rethinking the Future livelihoods of people living in these areas. enable them to survive in these areas. 3–6 November 2008 DKA is a point of contact for Australia’s Another factor which infl uences how knowledge of successful desert living. Alice Springs Convention Centre people live in these areas is that they are It is a community-driven organisation remote from markets and the centres of of partnerships and networks, applying Desert Knowledge Australia and the power, learning and decision-making. scientifi c and informal knowledge, both Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Desert people compensate by building up ancient and innovative, to create demand Centre have been joined by a new their local knowledge—and indeed one for Australian expertise and to promote partner, the Desert Peoples Centre, of the most remarkable is their knowledge best practice in economic, social and in hosting the 2008 Symposium and of landscape and how it works, whether environmental development. DKA also Business Showcase. we are speaking of Aboriginal people, pastoralists, geologists or the new eco- Be part of this rare opportunity to tourism operators. This is much greater hear about how business innovators, than the landscape knowledge of many researchers and educators from Australia Rangelands other Australians. and overseas are working in partnership Desert areas are often referred to with communities, industry and The Desert Knowledge issue of The as ‘rangelands’. They are found on governments to develop a body of desert Rangeland Journal presents papers on every continent except Antarctica knowledge that will help sustain desert a range of topics being researched by and cover 70% of the earth’s land communities around the world. DKCRC, including what drives deserts and surface. Australian rangelands are the people in them, sustainable desert 2008 Desert Knowledge Symposium and permanently covered in vegetation settlements, social capital and livelihoods Business Showcase will focus on six key of four broad ecosystems: in these areas. themes: grasslands, shrublands, woodlands, • making remote governance work and savanna. Soil and rainfall For more information: www. determine where the diff erent desertknowledge.com.au/ or Desert • networking business and knowledge vegetation types are found. Knowledge CRC Tel: (08) 8959 6000 PO Box • learning for desert futures 3971, Alice Springs, Northern Territory 0871 • capturing industry opportunities for The Rangeland Journal publishes high- desert people quality papers addressing key problems • seizing the desert environment in all rangeland environments and can be opportunity found at www.publish.csiro.au/nid/202. htm or CSIRO Publishing (03) 9662 7500, • exporting desert knowledge. PO Box 1139, Collingwood, Victoria 3066.

Bush Matters - Summer 2005-6 Bush Matters Autumn 2008 15 Bush Matters is the newsletter for the DECC Conservation Partners Program which provides ongoing support for landholders with Conservation Agreements, Wildlife Refuges, Property Registrations and Land for Wildlife. Bush Matters is produced twice yearly. Published by Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW Ph: 02 9995 5000 Past issues can be found at www.environment.nsw.gov.au/cpp/BushMatters.htm Number 10 ISSN 1446-8441 DECC 2008/246

Design and Layout : Little Gecko (Virginia Bear) Books Field guides and plant identifi cation books often use many complex features to correctly identify plant species, and of course, they often rely on fl owers and fruit, which are inevitably either absent or out of reach when visiting the forests. Luckily the two fi eld guides below rely on vegetation features such as leaves to aid identifi cation. This system was largely developed by the late John Williams (of the University of New England, Armidale). Rainforest climbing plants: a Rainforest trees and shrubs: a fi eld guide to their identifi cation fi eld guide to their identifi cation By Gwen Harden, Bill McDonald by Gwen Harden, Bill McDonald and John Williams (2007) and John Williams (2006) CSIRO Publishing 192 pages $40.00 CSIRO Publishing 300 pages $50.00 This fi eld guide uses features of This fi eld guide covers rainforests leaves and climbing mechanisms from Rockhampton in southern to enable identifi cation of the , through NSW to Victoria. rainforest climbing plants in Victoria, The guides uses features of leaves New South Wales and subtropical and branchlets and these features Queensland, using vegetative are illustrated by line drawings. features. The groups and individual In addition, for each species the species are illustrated and the species geographic distribution and type of descriptions provide information rainforest where it is found is given. on habit, the rainforest type in which the species occurs and This book is a rewrite of the widely used ‘Red Book’ Rainforest their geographic range. This book is a rewrite of the well known Trees and Shrubs with the number of species described ‘Green Book’ Rainforest Climbing Plants and covers double the increased from 309 to 850. number of species. What’s on NSW Land for Wildlife conference Veg Futures—Australia’s —creating natural connections national vegetation conference Friday August 1 and Saturday August 2 2008, Sydney Monday October 20 to Thursday October 23 2008, Featuring guest speakers and displays. The forum will promote Toowoomba benefi ts such as on-ground support, targeted training and The national conference about vegetation management. networking opportunities for agency staff and landholders. Comprehensive, practical papers and ideas about the nation’s Field trips will look at the practical application of the Land for most pressing challenges for vegetation management in Wildlife program across a range of landscape uses. These include regional and peri-urban landscapes. peri-urban, agricultural and bushland. For more information contact Lyndal Page, Greening Australia A chance to share ideas with like minded people and see 02 6202 1267 innovative methods of enhancing conservation on private lands. [email protected]. au For more information contact Amanda Bland www.greeningaustralia.org.au/vegfutures/index.html 02 4349 4754 [email protected] or log onto the CEN website and follow the links to Projects, Land for Wildlife.

The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of DECC. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this newsletter is accurate at the time of printing, DECC cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.