DOCSLIB.ORG

Bush Heritage News Autumn 2003

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Bush Heritage News Autumn 2003 Bush Heritage News Autumn 2003 ABN 78 053 639 115 www.bushheritage.org In this issue Success in WA Land purchase priorities Revegetation at Chereninup Photo feature Field days and lecture tour reserve holdings. Funding from the the transition from pastoral to conservation Commonwealth’s Natural Heritage Trust, management.We interviewed some great a wonderful gift from Chris and Jacqui candidates for the position of Reserve Your success in Darwin, help from Australian Geographic Manager and hopefully they will be in Society and your generous donations place by early April. Until then, the current Western Australia. made this purchase possible. caretakers, Barry and Carol Simpson, will stay on.A dedicated team of volunteers Phil Cullen, Landscape Ecologist and Stuart and I were both at the Reserve is about to begin the long and difficult Stuart Cowell, Conservation Programs for the property settlement and to begin task of cleaning up. Manager were in Western Australia to take ownership of White Wells. We hope that the official launch of the Charles Darwin Reserve will be later in The year got off to a flying start with the 2003, once the new managers have settled protection of some of the most threatened in. In the long-term, the Reserve will woodland and sandplain habitats in operate in a similar manner to Carnarvon Western Australia. On January 10 Bush Station Reserve, with a volunteer ranger Heritage we took ownership of the program and the opportunity for you to pastoral lease White Wells, now to be visit and see this outstanding area which known as the Charles Darwin Reserve. you have helped to protect. This was a red-letter day for us all - securing 68,600 ha of country with Clockwise from top left: Native bee, rocky outcrop with extremely high conservation values and pincushions at Charles Darwin Reserve, Phil Cullen enjoying the new reserve PHOTO: STUART COWELL, poverty bush eremophila at the same time doubling the size of our sp., daisies. PHOTOS: MARIE AND JIRI LOCHMAN/LOCHMAN TRANSPARENCIES 1 Setting priorities for land purchase Compiled by Sophie Underwood, Kate Fitzherbert and Stuart Cowell. As a nation we are now acutely aware of the degree of environmental damage our country has suffered, and the urgent need for a whole community effort to slow, and then reverse, this damage.The predominance of threatened species and Figure 1. Continental landscape stress in Australia by IBRA Figure 2. Number of nationally rare and threatened plant high levels of landscape stress in regions region*. Source: National Land and Water Resources Audit 2002 species in 2000 per IBRA region*. where there has been extensive removal Source: Biodiversity Theme Report: National State of the Environment Report 2001. of native vegetation is sending us strong messages about cause and effect.The single most important action needed by governments is to halt all broad-acre land clearing. Figure 3. Number of rare and threatened bird species in Figure 4. Number of nationally rare and threatened mammal Australia in 2000 per IBRA region*. Broad-scale clearance of species in 2000 per IBRA region*. woodland vegetation has had a major and ongoing affect on birds. Source: Biodiversity Theme Report: National State of the Environment Report 2001. Source: Biodiversity Theme Report: National State of the Environment Report 2001. Over 500,000 hectares of native vegetation is cleared each year. PHOTO: WAYNE LAWLER/ECOPIX But, there is so much that needs protecting. also the affects of weeds, feral animals Where do we look to get the best and disease in the Australian landscape. For Bush Heritage, the most important outcomes for biodiversity conservation? thing we can do is to continue to acquire That’s the question often asked of, and A SNAPSHOT and manage land of high conservation by, Bush Heritage staff.With so many The assessments in these reports make value.The Prime Minister’s Science, issues to consider, and so many good cases important reading. Of Australia’s 354 Engineering and Innovation Council for focussing our efforts in particular places, landscape types*, 37 are highly stressed, concluded in their 2002 report that we look to a wide range of resources to 152 are in relatively good health and 165 ‘…it is far cheaper to maintain our help balance one need against another. lie in between in the stress stakes.The natural systems than it is to allow them most stressed landscapes are concentrated inadvertently to be damaged and, A series of recent reports (listed at the end in southeastern and southwestern subsequently, to inherit a costly repair of this article) have provided valuable Australia with South Australia and bill…’ - a ringing endorsement for the information to help us identify regions Victoria featuring prominently in the Bush Heritage approach. and habitats of particular importance. highest stress category (Figure 1). They provide a comprehensive assess- Not surprisingly most threatened plants ment of landscape health, salinity, land (Figure 2) and birds (Figure 3), as well as clearance, biodiversity, surface and frogs and snakes, are concentrated in the ground water and climate change and same regions.Threatened mammals, on the other hand, continue their struggle Overgrazing is a major cause of landscape stress. to survive predominantly in the arid PHOTO: WAYNE LAWLER/ECOPIX interior (Figure 4). * To assist the assessment and analysis of the Australian environment, the continent has been classified into landscape units based on their geomorphology, soils and vegetation - a process called the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA). In Australia 85 IBRA landscapes or regions and 354 subregions have been defined. They are used as a framework 2 for continental-scale decision making on land management and biodiversity issues. OPTIONS FOR BUSH HERITAGE Currently, most Bush Heritage reserves lie in Australia’s more stressed environments where they protect vital remnants of native vegetation and their wildlife. The recent establishment of the Charles Darwin Reserve in Western Australia is an example of the protection of a nationally important landscape on the edge of a severely degraded environment. land values per se, can be protected is factors are the availability of the land The Queensland reserves at Goonderoo worth considering. Such regions may itself and the resources needed to purchase and Carnarvon Station and also the include areas of the Kimberley and the and manage the land effectively.This is a Tasmanian reserves at Liffey and Drys Gulf of Carpentaria.These form part long-term endeavour and one that Bush Bluff lie in areas suffering intermediate of the relatively undeveloped Timor Sea Heritage is committed to. Our search for stress.The importance of these reserves and Gulf of Carpentaria drainage systems, important areas goes on and our view as refuges for both plants and animals is which together support almost fifty per of the possibilities for land acquisition immense. Many of the reserves are also cent of Australia’s rainfall runoff.The is broadening. As the stress felt by our adjacent to existing protected areas protection of whole catchments here landscapes increases, protecting high which gives greater value to both them might be possible and would also protect quality ecosystems around Australia and the adjacent reserve. estuarine environments. becomes more urgent.With your help we will continue to buy, protect and As part of our analysis of these major manage outstanding areas throughout reports, Bush Heritage commissioned a ‘Australia’s wetlands have deteriorated the whole of Australia, and help create synthesis of their findings to help identify greatly since European settlement. an adequate reserve system for future Some 40-80% of wetlands have been priority regions or habitats for protection generations. lost through draining or changed water through land purchase.The synthesis regimes. Many are now much saltier suggests a diversity of approaches for land SELECTED REFERENCES than before European settlement, and ACF 2000. Summary of vegetation clearance in Australia, acquisition including buying properties large numbers of native aquatic species Australian Conservation Foundation, Melbourne. in low stress landscapes – a strategy that have become threatened or endangered Climate Action Network, 2002. Warnings from the Bush: The impact of climate change on the nature of Australia, may not seem obvious. One hundred (PMSEIC 2002)’ Climate Action Network, Australia. and fifty two of Australia’s landscapes are National Land and Water Resources Audit 2002. A series of reports www.nlwra.gov.au in relatively good health.They have been National State of the Environment Report 2001. A series of less attractive for agriculture and weeds Areas of tropical rainforests in northern reports www.ea.gov.au/soe/ Queensland are renowned for their Morton, S.R., Short, J., Barker, R.D., 1995. Refugia for Biological and feral animals are not yet having a Diversity in Arid and Semi-arid Australia, Biodiversity Series, great impact on biodiversity and landscape extraordinary plant and bird diversity Paper No.4, Biodiversity Unit, CSIRO, Division of Wildlife and and most have World Heritage Status and Ecology, Western Australia. health. However, continuing land clearing PMSEIC, 2002. A paper prepared as part of the report or overgrazing in these regions are major are well protected. However, areas of wet Sustaining our Natural Systems and Biodiversity for the Prime sclerophyll forest that border the tropical Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council, 2002. threats. Reserves in these landscapes Sattler, P. and Williams, R., (eds) 1999. The conservation status would protect intact, healthy ecosystems, rainforest are not as well protected, yet of Queensland’s bioregional ecosystems, Environment support rich endemic bat and ant faunas. Protection Agency, Brisbane. which while at risk, are not yet acting as Underwood, S. 2002. Strategic regions for the long term refuges. These areas could also be investigated for development of the Australian Bush Heritage Fund’s reserve potential reserves.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Bushtracks Bush Heritage Magazine | Summer 2019
    bushtracks Bush Heritage Magazine | Summer 2019 Outback extremes Darwin’s legacy Platypus patrol Understanding how climate How a conversation beneath Volunteers brave sub-zero change will impact our western gimlet gums led to the creation temperatures to help shed light Queensland reserves. of Charles Darwin Reserve. on the Platypus of the upper Murrumbidgee River. Bush Heritage acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the places in which we live, work and play. We recognise and respect the enduring relationship they have with their lands and waters, and we pay our respects to elders, past and present. CONTRIBUTORS 1 Ethabuka Reserve, Qld, after rains. Photo by Wayne Lawler/EcoPix Chris Grubb Clare Watson Dr Viki Cramer Bron Willis Amelia Caddy 2 DESIGN Outback extremes Viola Design COVER IMAGE Ethabuka Reserve in far western Queensland. Photo by Lachie Millard / 8 The Courier Mail Platypus control This publication uses 100% post- 10 consumer waste recycled fibre, made Darwin’s legacy with a carbon neutral manufacturing process, using vegetable-based inks. BUSH HERITAGE AUSTRALIA T 1300 628 873 E [email protected] 13 W www.bushheritage.org.au Parting shot Follow Bush Heritage on: few years ago, I embarked on a scientific they describe this work reminds me that we are all expedition through Bush Heritage’s Ethabuka connected by our shared passion for the bush and our Aa Reserve, which is located on the edge of the dedication to seeing healthy country, protected forever. Simpson Desert, in far western Queensland. We were prepared for dry conditions and had packed ten Over the past 27 years, this same passion and days’ worth of water, but as it happened, our visit to dedication has seen Bush Heritage grow from strength- Ethabuka coincided with a rare downpour – the kind to-strength through two evolving eras of leadership of rain that transforms desert landscapes.
    [Show full text]
  • Abhf Summer Nl 05
    Bush Heritage News Summer 2005 ABN 78 053 639 115 www.bushheritage.org Lake Eyre.The colours and the In this issue Our latest purchase vastness of the landscape took my Cravens Peak – another bit of the breath away. Rich ochres of every hue and cobalt-blue sky seemed to Anchors in the landscape Outback stretch into infinity. Charles Darwin Reserve weeding bee Bush Heritage’s latest reserve, I was standing on the edge of the Cravens Peak, is ‘just down the Channel Country, that highly metropolitan Melbourne or Sydney) road’ from Ethabuka Reserve in productive region of Queensland and also the most expensive because far-western Queensland but, as famous for fattening cattle, and for of the ‘value’ of the Channel Country. Conservation Programs Manager this reason so far poorly reserved. We still have a great deal of money Paul Foreman points out, this new I contemplated the significance to raise! pastoral lease is very different of Bush Heritage’s buying and protecting some of this valuable Cravens Peak is now our most diverse On my first visit to Cravens Peak ecosystem at Cravens Peak Station, reserve, in both its geomorphology Station in May this year I stood where the Mulligan River plains and biology. It is an exciting acquisition on an outcrop of the Toko Range are still relatively intact. and presents us with an unprecedented and gazed over the source of the management challenge. Mulligan River.This is one of the On 31 October 2005 Cravens Peak headwaters of the immense Cooper became the 21st Bush Heritage Creek system that braids its way reserve.
    [Show full text]
  • Summer 2013 Newsletter
    BUSH HERITAGE In this issue 3 Rock‑wallabies unveiled on Yourka 4 Around your reserves 6 Falling for the Fitz‑Stirling NEWS 8 From the CEO Summer 2013 · www.bushheritage.org.au Charting the change Cockatiels bathing at a waterhole on Charles Darwin Reserve, WA. Photograph by Dale Fuller Your Charles Darwin Reserve in Western In a landscape with three times the Under current climate models, the region Australia is situated at the junction of biodiversity of Australia’s tropical rainforests, where the reserve is located is predicted two major bioregions, in a landscape of the animals found in the traps are many and to become rapidly hotter (particularly its extraordinary biodiversity. Its location makes varied, ranging from spiders, to centipedes, summer minimum temperatures) and drier it ideal for a long‑term study into how climate small mammals like dunnarts, geckos and – with an increasing proportion of its rainfall change is impacting native plants and animals. even the occasional brown snake. occurring in the summer months. As the morning sun sheds its first light across Within one of Australia’s only two a subtle landscape of undulating sandplains, internationally recognised biodiversity “It’s at these sort of contact dense mulga scrub and shimmering salt hotspots, Charles Darwin Reserve provides points where you’re going to lakes, Bush Heritage staff and volunteers essential habitat and vital insights into the are already up and on the go on your conservation of thousands of plant and first see the changing ecology Charles Darwin Reserve. animal species. of plants and animals due to At dawn, each of the strategically placed pitfall It’s also ideally located for gathering the effects of climate change.” traps needs to be checked, and the overnight information about the long‑term effects Dr Nic Dunlop, Project Leader, catch recorded and released as quickly of climate change in such a biodiverse area.
    [Show full text]
  • Bush Heritage News Winter 2003
    Bush Heritage News Winter 2003 ABN 78 053 639 115 www.bushheritage.org In this issue New land at Liffey Reserve values Carnarvon springs Currumbin Charles Darwin Reserve update Chereninup update the blocks purchased by Bob Brown in receiving the tax deduction now available Another reserve 1990 to become the first Bush Heritage for gifts of this kind, the benefits of reserves. Like these reserves it backs onto which can be spread over five years. at Liffey the Central Plateau World Heritage Area Bush Heritage will manage the property beneath the great dolorite and sandstone along with its neighbouring Liffey In 1992, as Bob Brown was building a escarpment. Majestic trees cling to the reserves.Your valuable donations will fledgling organisation into the Australian walls of the steep-sided valley beneath help cover its modest management costs. Bush Heritage Fund, Dr Judy Henderson the Great Western Tiers.A creek tumbles was buying land. Her motivation, like down over a series of spectacular waterfalls Judy is pleased to have the land protected Bob Brown’s, was to save the magnificent to feed the Liffey River with its platypus for the long term. Bush Heritage is trees on this property in Tasmania from and native fish.This creek gully supports grateful for this generous gift that is a being clear-felled. At the time, Judy a mix of wet sclerophyll and rainforest valuable addition to the land in its care. Henderson was one of the founding species and an abundance of ferns.The directors of Bush Heritage. Bush Heritage is one of the best initiatives area is also home to white goshawks, that I have ever been associated with.
    [Show full text]
  • WWF0107 the Web Summer.Indd
    THE WEB The national newsletter for the Threatened Species Network WELCOME TO SUMMER 2007 The Threatened Species Network is a community -based program of the Australian Government and WWF-Australia Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore MP, WWF-Australia CEO Greg Bourne and Earth Hour Youth Ambassador Sarah Bishop at the launch of Earth Hour on 15 December 2006. Sarah Bishop will walk from Brisbane to Sydney in early 2007 as a way of voicing young Australians’ concerns about global warming. During the two-month, 1000-kilometre walk, Sarah will exchange ideas and make presentations to communities along the way, illustrating the simple things people can do to make a difference. © WWF/Tanya Lake. COMMUNITY ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE By Katherine Howard, TSN Program Officer, WWF-Australia Welcome to the Summer Web! In the last couple of editions we’ve talked about the topic that’s on everyone’s lips – climate change. Here at the TSN we are very excited about an upcoming event called Earth Hour, organised by WWF-Australia and Fairfax Publishing. At 7.30 pm on 31 March, businesses and households all over Sydney will switch off their lights for one hour. Earth Hour is part of a major effort CONTENTS to reduce Sydney’s greenhouse gas pollution by 5% in one year, and will send NATIONAL NEWS a very powerful message that it is possible to take action against global warming. What’s On 2 The threat of climate change needs to be tackled by a two-pronged approach: mitigation and adaptation. We REGIONAL NEWS need to both lower our greenhouse emissions to reduce the extent of climate change (mitigation) and to build SA 3 the resilience of our native species and natural ecosystems to the changed conditions (adaptation).1 The TSN’s Queensland 4 speciality is community-based, on-ground conservation, so we particularly focus on building resilience, but we Arid Rangelands 6 certainly haven’t forgotten how crucial it is to also reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases.
    [Show full text]
  • Bush Heritage News | Winter 2012 3 Around Your Reserves in 90 Days Your Support Makes a Difference in So Many Ways, Every Day, All Across Australia
    In this issue BUSH 3 A year at Carnarvon 4 Around your reserves 6 Her bush memory HERITAGE 7 Easter on Boolcoomatta NEWS 8 From the CEO Winter 2012 www.bushheritage.org.au Your wombat refuge The woodlands and saltlands of your Bon Bon Station Reserve are home to the southern hairy-nosed wombat. These endearing creatures have presented reserve manager Glen Norris with a tricky challenge. Lucy Ashley reports Glen Norris has worked as reserve manager – and he has to work out how to do this “It’s important we reduce rabbit in charge of protecting over 200,000 without harming the wombats, or their hectares of sprawling desert, saltlands, precious burrows. populations, and soon,” says wetlands and woodlands at Bon Bon The ultimate digging machine Glen. “Thanks to lots of help Station Reserve in South Australia for two-and-a-half years. Smaller than their cousin the common from Bush Heritage supporters wombat, southern hairy-nosed wombats Right now, he has a tricky situation on his have soft, fluffy fur (even on their nose), since we bought Bon Bon and hands. long sticky-up ears and narrow snouts. de-stocked it, much of the land Glen has to remove a large population of With squat, strongly built bodies and short highly destructive feral rabbits from legs ending in large paws with strong is now in great condition.” underground warren systems that they’re blade-like claws, they are the ultimate currently sharing with a population of marsupial digging machine. Photograph by Steve Parish protected southern hairy-nosed wombats How you’ve help created a refuge for Bon Bon’s wombats and other native animals • Purchase of the former sheep station in 2008 • Removal of sheep and repair of boundary fences to keep neighbour’s stock out • Control of recent summer bushfires • Soil conservation works to reduce erosion • Ongoing management of invasive weeds like buffel grass • Control programs for rabbits, foxes and feral cats.
    [Show full text]
  • ABHF 12PP N/L WIN05 (Page 1)
    Bush Heritage News Winter 2005 ABN 78 053 639 115 www.bushheritage.org region, which includes the Kalbarri In this issue Our wildflower National Park to the south-west and Eurardy, a new reserve haven, Eurardy, soon the Toolonga Nature Reserve to the north-east. Only an area of unallotted Ethabuka update to be protected crown land remains unprotected Volunteer rangers across this extensive area. Map of Bush Heritage reserves Once again your outstanding Burrin Burrin Reserve generosity will save a special part Our knowledge of Eurardy’s Weeding blitz of Australia.The transfer of Eurardy importance for plants is largely the Station to Bush Heritage should be result of the survey work undertaken approved by the time this reaches by the Wildflower Society of Western Thank you for your contribution. you.This 30 000-hectare property, Australia for the West Australian Without your support, the protection featured in the previous newsletter Herbarium. of this stunning natural ‘garden’ (Bush Heritage News,Autumn 2005), would not have been possible. is in Australia’s Global Biodiversity We are grateful to the society and Hotspot in south-west Western its members for their efforts and Diverse shrubland with blue Dampiera and yellow Glischrocaryon. PHOTO: MARGARET QUICKE Insets from top: Australia and will be our twentieth for providing us with a copy of Grevillea petrophiloides and Cheiranthera filifolia subs reserve. their survey results and a digital simplicifolia. PHOTOS: FROM THE IMAGE LIBRARY SUPPLIED BY THE WILDFLOWER photographic record of many SOCIETY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA In enabling us to purchase Eurardy of the plants.These will be you have helped to protect some invaluable resources for our future of Australia’s most spectacular management of the reserve.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation on Private Lands: the Australian Experience
    IUCN Programme on Protected Areas Conservation on Private Lands: the Australian Experience Penelope Figgis Sponsor: This publication is proudly supported by The Purves Environment Fund. Note The publication is based on a paper prepared for the Privately Owned Protected Area Workshop in the Governance Stream at the Vth World Parks Congress in Durban, South Africa, September 8-17th 2003. The Congress is convened by the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), a global network of protected area professionals and a Commission of IUCN, the World Conservation Union. It is held every ten years to debate the issues surrounding protected areas. This forum is the most prestigious and influential forum in the world in determining global directions for nature conservation through reserves. Author Profile Penelope Figgis has contributed to the protection of the Australian environmental for over 25 years through full time advocacy, holding many offices in environment organisations, board membership of statutory authorities as well as writing, lecturing, public speaking and media commentary. Ms. Figgis is currently Vice President of the Australian Conservation Foundation and a Board member of Sydney Olympic Park Authority. She has served on the boards of the Environment Protection Authority of New South Wales, the Australian Bush Heritage Fund, Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, the Great Barrier Reef Consultative Committee, Landcare Australia, the Australian Tourist Commission, the Commission for the Future and the Jenolan Caves Trust. An honours graduate in political science she has taken a particular interest in policy development in world heritage, protected areas, private lands in conservation, indigenous people and tourism and the environment.
    [Show full text]
  • Saving Our Species
    Saving our Species Bush Heritage Australia’s new scientific endeavour in the fight against Australia’s extinction crisis Since 1991, Bush Heritage Australia has applied a proven, practical approach to conserving Australia’s environment and unique plants and animals. Protecting Australia’s natural environment Bush Heritage Australia is a national, not-for-profit conservation organisation Cover: Maree rock wallaby. Photo by Steve committed to halting the decline of Australian biodiversity – the native plants, Parish animals and places that give our country its unique character and heritage. Left: Naree Station, NSW. Photo by Katrina The plight of many of Australia’s native plants and An integral part of our science program is working Blake animals has progressed to the point where they are now with our partners to build skills and conservation Above: Pebble Mound fighting for survival. One in five of Australia’s surviving capacity, through planning, ecological survey and Mouse, Yourka Reserve mammals and 12% of Australia’s birds are now research. This is a two-way process, with knowledge Qld. Photo by Annette threatened with extinction. There remains an estimated exchange and learning moving in both directions. Ruzicka shortfall of 70 million hectares of habitat across Together, we protect biodiversity on a much larger Australia (WWF, 2013) to secure a comprehensive, scale – creating healthier, more resilient ecosystems adequate and representative national reserve system. that benefit people as well as our native species. This alone will not be enough. We also require more effective management in need of protection of the extensive and pervasive threats impacting the viability We use science-based, conservation of native animals, plants and ecosystems.
    [Show full text]
  • 2006–07 Conservation Report
    Annual Conservation Report Bush Heritage in action, 2006–2007 Vision for the future By 2025 Bush Heritage will protect 1% of Australia by conserving more than 7 million hectares of Australia’s land and water and the wildlife that inhabits these protected areas. Protecting Australia’s biodiversity and restoring the health of the environment are our highest priorities. We also work in partnership with others to rebuild the resilience of whole landscapes, and use best available science to manage the land under our care. i Annual Conservation Report | © 2008 Bush Heritage Australia Liffey River Reserve, Tas. PHOTO: WAYNE LAWLER/ECOPIX Australian Bush Heritage Fund (trading as Bush Heritage Australia) ABN 78 053 639 115 Registered office: Level 5, 395 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 Postal address: PO Box 329, Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 8009 Phone: (03) 8610 9100 or 1300 NATURE (1300 628 873) Fax: (03) 8610 9199 Email: [email protected] Website: www.bushheritage.org.au Artwork and production: Geoffrey Williams + Associates Pty Ltd Printed on combination 55% recycled and 45% plantation fibre using vegetable-based inks. Contents Vision for the future i Board of Directors 2 Chief Executive Officer 3 Patron 3 Ambassador 3 President’s report 4 Chief Executive Officer’s report 5 A strategic approach to conservation 6 Gulf of Carpentaria to Lake Eyre anchor region 9 Ethabuka and Cravens Peak reserves 9 Queensland Uplands and Brigalow Belt anchor region 12 Carnarvon Station and Goonderoo reserves 12 South-East Grassy Box Woodlands anchor region
    [Show full text]
  • Science for Healthy Country
    Science for Healthy Country Science and Research Plan 2015-2025 Since 1991, Bush Heritage Australia has applied a practical and evidence-based approach to conserving Australia’s environment and unique plants and animals. Protecting Australia’s natural environment Bush Heritage Australia is a national leader in landscape-scale conservation. We are Cover: Mareeba Rock-wallaby. independent, evidence-based and committed to returning the bush to good health. Photo by Steve Parish The plight of many of Australia’s native plants and An integral part of our science program is working Left: Naree Station, NSW. Photo by animals has progressed to the point where they are now with our partners to build skills and conservation Katrina Blake fighting for survival. One in five of Australia’s capacity through planning, ecological surveys and surviving mammals and 16 percent of Australia’s birds research. This is a two-way process, with knowledge Above: Pebble Mound Mouse, Yourka Reserve, are now threatened with extinction. Currently, exchange and learning moving in both directions. Qld. Photo by Australia’s National Reserve System (the network of Together, we protect biodiversity on a much larger Annette Ruzicka protected areas, parks and reserves across the country) scale – creating healthier, more resilient ecosystems is not sufficient to protect our plants and animals from that benefit people as well as our native species. further harm. It is for this reason that a collaborative and landscape-scale approach is needed if we’re to succeed in responding to Australia’s extinction crisis We use evidence-based conservation before it is too late.
    [Show full text]
  • Autumn 2013 Newsletter
    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 Ethabuka Reserve 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.
    [Show full text]