BUSH

In this issue HERITAGE 3 A place to breathe 4 Around your reserves 6 Fighting feral cats at Charles Darwin Reserve 7 Tag-along to NEWS 8 From the CEO Autumn 2013 · www.bushheritage.org.au

Making it count at Naree

It takes a whole lot of planning, Over nine days on the 14,400-hectare “Hopefully, in five or ten preparation and people-power to property, a team of up to 25 dedicated uncover the true potential of any place, conservationists, comprising Bush years, we’ll be able to say, as the upcoming ‘bio-blitz’ at Naree Heritage staff, volunteers, consultants ‘wow, look at the difference Station – our newest property, thanks and traditional landowners, will rise at to our supporters – proves. the crack of dawn every day to carefully all of us have made’.” By Kelly Irving check traps for mammals and reptiles, survey birds and map vegetation. “It’s a funny name for an ecological This crucial inventory – Naree’s first – survey,” says Bush Heritage’s Science will help determine how the reserve will and Monitoring Manager, Dr Jim Radford, be managed and monitored over time. about the ‘bio-blitz’ that’s taking place at Naree Station Reserve in mid-April. “For example, if we find areas where “But essentially, it means that we try threatened marsupials like the kultarr to get as much information about our live then that will influence our fire new reserve as we can, in a really short management,” says Jim, one of the Above: Dr Jim Radford checks a pitfall trap during a amount of time.” leaders of the blitz. “We might not burn similar survey at , SA, in 2010. that area or we’ll exclude it from grazing.” Photograph by Peter Morris Left: Wetlands at Naree Station Reserve Above: Jim with a dusky hopping mouse found at Boolcoomatta Reserve. Photographs by Peter Morris

Power to the people What keeps them going every day is the It takes a particular type of person to be promise of what they might find. “Perhaps involved in the planning and production a flock of pied honey eaters or freckled of a bio-blitz. ducks or a shovel-nosed snake; a painted snipe would be tremendous!” says Jim. “I jumped at the chance to work with Bush Heritage,” says Martin Denny, “We just like being out in the bush, getting a consultant who’ll be documenting on our hands and knees looking for stuff. land-dwelling fauna like reptiles, frogs It’s exciting when you get to a new site and small mammals during the blitz. and you start to wonder what you’ll find.” “It’s a magnificent feeling to have that In it for the long term open, clear land to look at. I feel “We all see this as a long-term investment,” freedom out in that sort of country.” says Martin. “We’re motivated because Tips, tricks and traps “Attention to detail and a willingness to we know we’re building a baseline for Dr Jim Radford explains how to do the tedious work are paramount to our Naree’s future.” success,” says Jim. “Monitoring the first catch and record elusive animals “Hopefully, in five or ten years, we’ll be site has to be done to the same exacting like the small and rare kultarr. able to prove there’s been an increase standards as the last. We can’t rush it. 1. Pitfall traps (above) in species. We’ll say, ‘wow, look at Consistency is important so that any “An unbaited hole in the ground that’s the difference all of us – Bush Heritage future comparisons we make are valid.” good for catching ground‑dwelling volunteers, staff, partners and our animals like geckos, skinks, dragons supporters – have made’,” Jim adds. A day in the life and dunnarts. A 20cm high wire Early each day, the team will drive off The bio-blitz also plays a valuable role fence directs the critters into the from the homestead in designated in bringing together all the people who pit-fall.” groups of two and three, ready to work have the interests of Naree at heart. 2. Elliot traps on projects related to their skills and “Traditional owners, for example, will be “A small box-trap with a spring experience. Some will sit patiently and able to give us advice on what sorts of door. It’s baited with peanut butter wait in the long grass for wetland birds things we should be looking for and where and oats – an odd bait for small that are difficult to spot, like crakes and we might be best placed to look for them,” carnivorous marsupials but it rails. Others, like Bush Heritage’s Aquatic says Jim. “It’s a process of building trust.” seems to work.” Ecologist Adam Kerezsy, will carefully “This might be the first survey, but it 3. Camera traps clear nets of fish while others, like Martin, certainly won’t be the last,” he adds. “Motion-triggered infrared cameras to will check pit-fall traps for creatures This is thanks to all our supporters who try and catch the kultarr on camera.” like stripe-faced dunnarts, a task that, have made the purchase of Naree possible. according to ethics standards, must 4. Spotlighting

be done within two hours of sunrise to Thank you to Chris and Gina Grubb and family “Active searching on foot using minimise stress to captured animals. for their generous support for the purchase of a spotlight. Good to supplement Later, they’ll return to the homestead Naree Station Reserve. with other methods to increase for a home-cooked meal prepared by Thanks to so many of you who have supported our chances of spotting animals.” volunteer camp cooks, before some both the purchase of Naree Station, and the Naree ‘bio-blitz’. If you’d still like to donate Above: Animals like this stripe-faced evening spotlighting (see the box right) to support Jim and his team as they uncover dunnart fall into pitfall traps overnight and then settling in to their tents for Naree’s ecological secrets, you still have time. and rest there until scientists measure the night. www.bushheritage.org.au/donate and release them in the morning. Photograph by Peter Morris

2 Bush Heritage News | Autumn 2013 “My hope is to preserve the immensity of the landscape, and that’s what Bush Heritage is trying to do.”

Grietje Croll decided to honour her late husband by leaving a bequest to Bush Heritage in her Will. “He wanted to preserve parts of the bush while he was still alive”. Photograph by Bec Walton

A place to breathe

As a Dutch-born immigrant, “I was happy to see the area was being Grietje Croll first saw the Australian maintained and the weeds had been Since Grietje first supported bush with fresh eyes – from the comfort taken out.” Bush Heritage... of her new husband’s tent. This was After Bob retired in 1980, the couple took Grietje and Bob have helped to make the start of a lifelong love affair, and to their campervan and experienced much so much possible since they first a shared commitment to help protect of the Australian landscape they were so supported Bush Heritage in 1997. the Australian bush. keen to see protected, including iconic Here’s just a glimpse: When Grietje Croll first arrived in Australia destinations like Kakadu and Carnarvon 1999 Bush Heritage played a from her native Holland, her impression of Gorge. Bob, a botany enthusiast, founding role in Gondwana Link, the Australian landscape was “Wow, this is would identify plants and trees by their a project reconnecting habitat from space”. She had just arrived in the country Latin names, while Grietje took out her the south-west forests of Western to join Bob, an Australian agricultural sketchbook and attempted to capture Australia to the edge of the scientist she had met at a rural sciences the vastness and the atmosphere of the Nullarbor Plain. seminar in her native Holland. They drove landscape – an “impossible, but fun” task. 2001 We purchased our first from Sydney to Melbourne through Bob’s One place that holds special memories beloved “back country”, camping along large-scale property, Carnarvon for Grietje was in South Australia’s mulga Station Reserve. the way. “In Holland we could never be country, where the couple had camped anywhere where we couldn’t hear traffic. in a “magical spot”, far from the road, 2011 We signed a ground Here you could breathe in and breathe out fascinated by the diversity of plants. They breaking ten-year agreement and say, ‘Isn’t it wonderful!’.” Australia had finally decided to pack up and move with the Wunambal Gaambera soon became Grietje’s permanent home. on, and had driven for about 200 metres, people to work together to keep The camping trip is just one of Grietje’s when a plant captured Bob’s attention. their homeland healthy. memories of exploring the bush with her They stopped and got out. “I looked down,” 2012 With the help of supporters husband. When Bob passed away in says Grietje, “and saw the most beautiful like you, we purchased our 35th 2003, Grietje decided to honour him by little piece of jasper, full of different reserve, Naree Station, a remarkable leaving a bequest to Bush Heritage in colours. We said, ‘Let’s camp here and property in the heart of the last her Will. “I know,” says Grietje, “that he have another look around’. And so we did. free-flowing river system of the wanted to preserve parts of the bush This land is full of surprises. We had only Murray-Darling Basin. while he was still alive”. driven 200 metres but the magic had The couple started donating to Bush become overwhelming all over again.” Heritage in 1997 because they were Grietje’s wish is to protect forever the Bush Heritage thanks Grietje, Bob and all our impressed by the way we systematically natural wonders, big and small, that she supporters for helping protect our vast open spaces. A bequest, no matter how large or small, helps purchase land based on scientific and Bob adored. “My hope is to preserve our wild places to thrive far into the future. research, and focus on caring for that the immensity of the landscape, and that’s For more information, contact Annie Mayo on land. Grietje saw our philosophy in action what Bush Heritage is trying to do.” (03) 8610 9139 or [email protected] when she visited Nardoo Hills Reserve.

Bush Heritage News | Autumn 2013 3 Around your reserves in 90 days Your support makes a difference in so many ways. We take a look at what’s been Warddeken happening at your reserves around Australia – all made possible thanks to you. Balkanu/ Cape York

Kaanju Ngaachi Wunambal Gaambera How much does a honey possum weigh? So how much does a honey possum weigh? “About the same as an eyeball!” according to one primary school Fan Palm student who visited your Monjebup North Reserve in Yourka south‑west . The student was one of two groups that visited Monjebup North and Chereninup reserves to learn about the ecological restoration project that is in full swing there. (And she was pretty close – honey possums weigh four grams, not far from Cravens Peak Bidjara the weight of an eyeball!) The students saw firsthand Edgbaston some of the animals returning to the areas that were Ethabuka Goonderoo Carnarvon Station once cleared paddocks. The honey possum was one of Reedy Creek 91 animals recorded during the week-long fauna survey, which was part of a project to gather data that will tell scientists whether the restoration is having a positive Eurardy impact on native species numbers. Animals recorded included pygmy possums, skinks and a juvenile Naree Station Bon Bon Station western banjo frog. Charles Darwin

Boolcoomatta

Kojonup Monjebup North Beringa Tarcutta Nardoo Hills Hills Gondwana Link reserves Scottsdale Kosciuszko to Coast Chingarrup Noongar John Brogo Colahan Griffin

Photograph by Angela Sanders

Tasmanian Midlands Small hands make a big difference Charles Darwin Reserve has been busy with the sound of chattering schoolchildren recently, with students from Geraldton Leaning Tree Primary School and the local Perenjori Primary School visiting the reserve on the edge of the wheat belt in Western Australia. The students helped Healthy Landscape Manager Luke Bayley with erosion control and weed removal, and collected sandalwood seeds, which Luke will spread around the reserve to grow new seedlings. Their work has made a huge difference to Luke, whose annual weeding work gives native plants, and the animals that rely on them, a better chance to flourish. The students also cleaned out some gnamma holes – small, natural holes in granite rock surfaces made larger by Aboriginal people through the use of fire and grinding techniques. Local Badimia man Ashley Bell accompanied the students and talked about the importance of gnamma holes as a water source for the Badimia people, as well as about other cultural sites that the Badimia people are working in partnership with Bush Heritage to protect at the reserve. Students from the Geraldton Leaning Tree Primary School tend gnamma holes at Charles Darwin Reserve. Photograph by Luke Bayley

4 Bush Heritage News | Autumn 2013 Warddeken Bush Heritage anchor regions

Balkanu/ Bush Heritage partnerships Cape York Bush Heritage reserves Kaanju Ngaachi Wunambal Gaambera

Fan Palm

Yourka Bonni joins the fight against Siam weed Last year reserve manager Paul Hales asked you to join in the fight against Siam weed at , one of the greatest challenges we’ve faced at Bush Heritage. Now Paul and fellow reserve manager Leanne have a Cravens Peak Bidjara Edgbaston new weapon to help them traverse the 200km of Ethabuka Goonderoo creekline of the Upper Herbert River. No, it’s not a Carnarvon Station Reedy Creek high-tech helicopter (although we’re using one of those too!) – it’s Bonni the horse! “The country we need to cover during the Siam flowering cycle is simply too much Eurardy for a reserve manager and our volunteers to manage,” says Paul. “But now we have Bonni! With Bonni, we can Naree Station cover up to five times the country during those short Bon Bon Station Charles Darwin timeframes and, from 17 hands high, it’s much easier to spot Siam plants that get missed on foot bashing Boolcoomatta through the undergrowth.” Thanks to all of you who have Kojonup Monjebup North supported our fight against Siam weed. Bonni is just one Beringa Tarcutta of the ways in which we are tackling this ongoing problem. Nardoo Hills Hills Gondwana Link reserves Scottsdale Kosciuszko to Coast Chingarrup Noongar John Brogo Colahan Griffin

Tasmanian Midlands Photograph by Leanne Hales

A dawn walk at Naree Station Ron and Di Davies, the reserve managers looking after Naree Station until the full-time managers arrive, have taken full advantage of the birdwatching opportunities on offer there. Di has spotted variegated fairy-wrens, black-fronted dotterels, little woodswallows and glossy ibis on her morning walks, to name a few. In addition, Ron and Di came across a small flowering plant growing in the dry creekbed of Back Creek. They were unable to identify it without a microscope on hand due to its tiny size (the flowers are 3mm wide!) so they sent photos and a pressed, dried specimen to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney. The plant was identified as starfruit, Dentella minutissima, from the Rubiaceae family listed as endangered in New South Wales. The plant has only been found in one other location in New South Wales. Could this plant be a taste of what Jim and his team of scientists might find in their April bio-blitz? Watch this space! Photograph by Di Davies

Bush Heritage News | Autumn 2013 5 Left: Teachers from Earthwatch’s TeachLive with research assistants at Charles Darwin Reserve. Above: A fat-tailed dunnart being measured. Photographs by Caroline Bayer, Earthwatch Below: Mitchell’s hopping mouse. Photograph by Tim Doherty

Bush lovers joining the fight against feral cats

It’s not just supporters like you who and Bon Bon Station, Olivia is passionate are helping scientists to protect native about Australian native wildlife. Australian animals on your reserves “We dug in pitfall traps and checked them – schoolteachers are on board too. in the early morning before the heat of the By Vanessa Murray day. We were trying to get an idea of what The sky overhead is blushing a deep and native species the cats are preying on, gentle blue, the air still and tranquil as and their abundance on the reserve,” the day slowly dawns. It’s only six in the says Olivia. morning, but already a team of committed “It was just incredible to see and scientists and volunteers are up and handle the animals up close in their about, preparing to traverse a landscape environment,” recalls Olivia, who is rich in reds and greens and browns. particularly interested in reptiles. Mitchell’s hopping mouse This was the scene that volunteer and “We found a lot of dunnarts and hopping The Mitchell’s hopping mouse is a schoolteacher Olivia Baran woke up to mice, but the highlight for me was small sandy-brown rodent that grows every morning for ten days last October, finding a few thorny devils.” up to about 60g, with white chest when she joined a group of scientists “It was wonderful to get out into the hairs and a pale underbelly. Its large and volunteers at your Charles Darwin beauty of remote Australia, and a great back legs and long, brushy tail give Reserve, on the northern edge of the opportunity to meet people with a similar it the strength and balance it needs Western Australian wheat belt. passion for maintaining our unique to travel – by hopping – at speed. biodiversity,” she continues. The team was helping with a trial of A nocturnal species found in a new bait, Eradicat, a tool designed Why target feral cats? southern SA, north-western Vic. to help reduce the damage caused to Nocturnal and carnivorous, feral cats and southern WA, the mouse feeds native animals by feral cats, as part prey on small- to medium-sized native on roots, green leaves and seeds, of a partnership between Bush Heritage, mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. and is one of several native small Edith Cowan University and Earthwatch They have been implicated in the mammals that was found at Charles Australia. Olivia was one of hundreds extinction of 22 Australian mammals, and Darwin Reserve in October. of teachers who volunteered as part threaten many more including some that of an Earthwatch initiative, which places live among the salt bushes and wildflower schoolteachers on conservation research plains of Charles Darwin Reserve. projects and allows them to take their An innovative approach experiences back to the classroom. “The history of extensive clearing “Field experiments have shown that throughout south-west Western Australia broad-scale aerial application of A unique opportunity makes the reserve an important refuge Eradicat is capable of controlling feral Like you, many of whom recently supported for animals that were once widespread in cats, foxes and wild dogs,” says Tim our efforts to manage feral rabbits on the region,” says Bush Heritage ecologist Doherty, the PhD student at Edith Cowan other reserves such as Boolcoomatta Dr Matt Appleby. University responsible for the trial.

6 Bush Heritage News | Autumn 2013 “There’s a lot at stake on this reserve. If we’re able to radically reduce the prevalence of feral cats and foxes, we could see Visit a Bush the re‑introduction of locally‑extinct species.” Heritage reserve Photograph by Peter Morris

Point the wheels of your 4WD towards Dates 10–14 June, 2013 the Simpson Desert and join Bush Price $500 per person Aerial baiting is an expensive exercise Heritage Reserve Manager Peter While 4WDs are essential to get around however. “We believe hand-baiting may Welldon for a five-day tag-along camping these reserves, there will be time to provide an effective on-ground solution trip on the magnificent desert reserves explore on foot. You will travel at a relaxed to both the feral cat and fox problem at of Cravens Peak and Ethabuka. pace and camp each night under the stars. properties like Charles Darwin Reserve.” These vast properties offer a diversity During Stage Two of the trial, Tim’s team To book your spot, call Katrina of landscapes including spectacular will return to the reserve to capture, collar Blake on (03) 8610 9124 or red dune fields, ephemeral waterbodies, and release feral cats. The GPS-enabled email [email protected] rocky gorges and expansive escarpments. collars will enable the cats’ movements Limited spaces are available. The reserves have seen a remarkable to be monitored, so that the team can www.bushheritage.org.au/tagalong regeneration of the landscape since work out the most effective places to lay we purchased them in 2004 and 2008, To find out about other reserves you the Eradicat bait. The baits will then be thanks to a combination of our careful can visit, go to www.bushheritage. laid by hand in one section of the reserve, management and above-average rainfalls. org.au/getting_involved_visit with an unbaited “control” area in another to test the impact of the baits. If Eradicat is found to be effective, Healthy Landscape Manager Luke Bayley In celebration will continue to lay Eradicat by hand along Thank you Andrew Blanckensee donated in celebration a 200km network of tracks, on an ongoing of Helen Blanckensee and William Schlapak’s basis. Bush Heritage and Edith Cowan Bush Heritage thanks the many wedding. Barbara Madden celebrated the University will share their findings with supporters that have donated in birth of three grandchildren with a gift neighbouring landholders and the wider honour of friends or family members. towards the purchase of Naree Station. community, in the hope of integrating A small selection is below. Barbara Beeson donated to celebrate feral predator controls in the region. John and Gillian Moore’s 80th birthdays. In memoriam Thank you for joining the fight Judy Burns made a donation in memory of Bequests Your support of feral cat management her parents, Vic and Nancy Murry. Scott Bush Heritage gratefully acknowledges the at Charles Darwin Reserve, and at and Pamela McNaughton, and Merrowyn generosity of the Estates of Teresa Bocking, reserves across the country, is another Deacon donated in memory of our late Laurie Violet Abell, Lois Maud Addison, important step towards protecting Cravens Peak Field Officer, “Mo” Mauritz John Frederick Turner, Anthony Glynne Smith, native animals like the Mitchell’s hopping Pieterse. Margrit Lack donated in memory John and Jennifer Barnett, Margaret Mary mouse across Australia. Thank you! of Diane Binstead, “who loved and cared Cowper, Judith Catherine Iltis, Marion for the bush”. Belfrage Field and Roy Thalheimer.

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Bush Heritage News | Autumn 2013 7 FROM THE CEO

One of the great privileges of my role highest priority. The log-in and log-out is being able to visit the beautiful system is just one process, albeit an places that together we help protect. important one, in the range of safety Last month, I had my first trip to one procedures we adhere to, and Tim was of these special places – Tarcutta Hills reassured to learn about the steps we take Reserve, in the rolling Humula Hills in to keep our Bush Heritage ‘family’ safe. south-western New South Wales. I’d also like to take this opportunity to Tarcutta Hills Reserve is one of the largest introduce the newest members of the remaining areas of grassy white box family, David and Sue Akers, who will be woodland left in Australia, a vital habitat joining us as the first full-time reserve for birds such as the endangered swift managers of your newest reserve, Naree parrot, and has only been protected Station. David and Sue bring to their Bush Heritage ambassador Tim Fischer touring your thanks to the generosity of Bush Heritage latest role a wealth of experience in Tarcutta Hills Reserve with CEO Gerard O’Neill in March. supporters like you. landscapes like Naree, so I am thrilled that they are on board. It’s thanks to Photograph by Peter Saunders On this particular trip I was further you that we’re able to position David and privileged to be joined by Bush Heritage Sue at Naree – your overwhelming support “Your overwhelming support Ambassador Tim Fischer, a passionate for the protection of this important place enthusiast for regional Australia. Tim is a gives all of us at Bush Heritage even for the protection of Naree strong supporter of Bush Heritage’s role greater determination to look after it. in maintaining Australia’s unique places. Station gives all of us at Together with Reserve Manager Peter As you’ll read in our cover story, our work Bush Heritage even greater Saunders we took a tour around at Naree Station is really now only just Tarcutta’s 430 hectares to see how the beginning, with an ecological survey of determination to look after it.” bush was faring, but not before firstly the reserve’s plants and animals soon logging into the Bush Heritage ‘call-in’ to take place, so I look forward now to safety system and registering our trip. getting David and Sue settled into Naree’s beautiful little homestead, and letting With a workforce of regional and remote them get down to work! staff, the safety of our people is our Gerard O’Neill, CEO

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