land for wildlife 2011 edition

land for

Wildlifevoluntary wildlife conservation

N e w s l e t t e r o f t h e L A N D F O R W I L D L I F E s c h e m e VOL 8 NO.1 JUNE 2011

Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria, Australia

Print Post Approved PP381667/00072DSE Publication Number 03-20-0400-2 ISSSN 1323-2417

2011 Celebrating 30 Years of Land For Wildlife 30 Year

Anniversary

Photo: Felicity Nicholls

INsIdeLetters to the editor 2

Celebrating 30 Years of Voluntary Conservation on Private Land 3

Land For Wildlife in ‘Tree-change’ Landscapes 4

Observations By A Land For Wildlife Member, devlins Bridge 5

Vale to Reg Johnson OAM 6

1000th Trust For Nature Covenant 6

Conservation, Art and Land For Wildlife 7

Land for Wildlife Member profiles 8

Keeping the small creatures happy on your farm: Revegetation and bushland management 10

Creature Features 11

Rebirth of a wetland 12

The striped Legless Lizard 13

Treating Mange in Wombats 13

Properties for sale 14

Recent Publications 14

Contacts 16

events and Field days 16

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Letter from the EditorIn this edition of the newsletter, we celebrate 30 years of the Land For Wildlife Program!

The cover image in this LFW 30th Year Edition shows a remnant vegetation landscape in central Victoria. The image represents the way in which LFW is connecting habitats for wildlife across different landscapes, and in so doing, demonstrating the dedication and commitment of LFW’ers to the protection of wildlife habitat.

Some of the achievements of LFW in the last 30 years include:

•8,900totalmemberswith690,000hectaresregistered(including200,000haofretained/restoredhabitat).

•4%ofprivatelandinVictoriaisrepresentedbyLFWproperties(15%oflandareainVictoriaisnature conservation on public land).

•Adiverserangeoforganisationsinvolved,includinglocalgovernments,waterauthorities,schools,golf clubs and vineyards, army and naval bases, large corporations, and various interstate and international signatories.

•AnannualOpenPropertySchemewithpropertiesopenforthepublictoinspect.

•ANationalLandForWildlifeprogramrunbyinterstateagenciesunderthetermsandconditions of the Victorian LFW program.

•Finalistinthe2001UnitedNationsAssociationAustralia-WorldEnvironmentDayAwards, intheAlcoaAwardsforBestCommunityBasedEnvironmentalProjectorInitiative.

Animportantcharacteristicoftheprogramisthevoluntarycommitmentthatland-holdersmaketonatureconservation,notdirectlylinkedtofinancialbenefits.LandforWildlifemembersactasrolemodels and help generate interest by introducing neighbours and the general community to the ethic of conserving nature on private land.

Fromarecentsurvey,LFW’ersappeartobemakingsignificantcontributionstolocaleconomieswhentheypurchasegoodsorservicesforprotectionandenhancementworksontheirproperties.Nearlyallmemberssurveyedwereinterestedinlearningaboutconservation,withalmosthalfbeingmembersofotherconservationorganisations-twothirdsofwhichareinvolvedinLandcare.Around80%ofmemberscontinuetofindtheprogramhelpfulandsupportive.

AresearchprojectconductedbyBenCookefromRMITstudiedhowpeoplefromnon-farmingbackgroundsaredealingwithlandmanagementchallengesontheirproperty.YouwillfindashortarticlesummarisingBen’sinterestingresultsinthisedition.

ItisofgreatsadnessthatRegJohnsonOAMpassedawayrecentlyonhisLFWpropertyatBailestoninCentralVictoria.ThereisatributetoRegandhisworkinsidethiscopy.CongratulationstoallLandForWildlifemembersforyoursignificantachievementsoverthelast30yearsinprotecting,restoring

and enhancing wildlife habitats!

Peter Johnson, Editor and Statewide Coordinator, Land For Wildlife Victoria.

Peter Johnson Statewide Coordinator and Editor department of sustainability and environment, Box3100, BendigoDeliveryCentre, Bendigo,3554. Tel:(03)54304358 Fax:(03)54484982 [email protected]

Seepage16foralistofLandforWildlifeExtensionOfficersandContacts.

The views expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the policies of either the Department of Sustainability and Environment or Bird Observation and

Conservation of Australia.

No endorsement of properties or products is given, nor should be implied,

by advertisement in this newsletter.

Land for Wildlife is a registered trademark of the Department of Sustainability and Environment. Permission must be obtained

to use the Land for Wildlife Logo.

Material from Land for Wildlife News may be reproduced for non-commercial (educational) purposes without permission provided proper acknowledgment of author and source are given. Permission of the editor and author must be obtained prior to any commercial use of this publication. All illustrations are copyright and must not be used in any form without written permission.

Printed on recycled paper to conserve wildlife habitat.

dse Customer service Phonethefreecall number if you have any questions relating to natural resources and the environment. 136 186

Land For Wildlife Property statistics at 1/6/2011

LFW Membership

TotalPropertyArea

HabitatBeingRetained

HabitatUnderRestoration

TotalRetainedandRestoredHabitat

5,776 538,679ha 144,340ha 22,839ha 167,179ha

PleaseNote:Thetotalmembershipin2011(5,776)islessthan2010(5,903)dueto ahighamountofmailwithRMBaddressesreturnedbyAustraliaPostasundeliverable.

We attempted to contact as many of these members as possible, but due to phone numbers not being current or members moving without advising LFW, it was not possible to

keeptheseasregistered.Ifanymemberknowsofaregisteredmemberwhoisnotreceivingthenewsletter,pleasecontactyourExtensionOfficer,oremailEditor:

[email protected](03)54304358.

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Land For Wildlife Celebrating30YearsofVoluntaryConservationonPrivateLand

The original idea for the Land ForWildlifeProgramaroseout of meetings between the original Fisheries and WildlifeService(nowtheDepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironment)andtheBirdObserversClubofAustralia(BOCA).Atoneofthosemeetings it was recognised that landholders voluntarily protecting habitats for wildlife

shouldbeencouragedandsupported.Followingthis,thefirstLandforWildlife(LFW)propertywasestablishedinNovember1981,atWinchelseainVictoria.

Duringtheperiodbetween1990and2002,LFWexperienceditshighestgrowth.TheinitialappointmentofStephenPlattlaterfollowedbyFelicityNichollsasState-wideCoordinators,employmentof16extensionofficers,establishmentofthestate-wide property register, regular newsletters, notes series and regularfielddaysandothereventsprogram,allcontributedtothis rapid growth.

ByApril1997thereweremorethan4,000propertiesregisteredbytheProgram,andthishasnowgrowntoalmost5,800propertiesin2011.Since1997,LFWhasextendedinterstate, where it operates under a uniform set of principles and standards, consistent with the Victorian Land For Wildlife Program.

The current area of private land being managed by Land For WildlifemembersinVictoriaisapproximately540,000hectares-anareaalmostequaltotheVictorianAlpineNationalPark,representingabout4%ofprivatelandvoluntarilymanagedbyLFW members in Victoria.

Fromarecentsurvey,morethan80%oflandholdersestimatedthattheywerespendinganaverageof$2,100onconservationmanagement each year.

Thisequatestoadirectcapitalinvestmentofmorethan$10millionbylandholdersundertakingvoluntaryconservationactions.

About85%oflandholdershavenotaccessedfundingthroughincentives or grants, reinforcing the volunteer commitment not linkedtofinancialbenefits.

Almosthalfhave60%ormoreoftheirpropertysetasideforconservationmanagement.Mostpropertiesarerelativelysmall,with32%beinglessthan5haandafurther35%under20ha.MostlandholdersinLFWdonotrelyonfarmingfortheirincome-lessthanaquarterareprimaryproducers.Ingeneral,the results are relatively consistent with previous surveys. WhenaskedhowtheyheardaboutLFW,membersindicatedthey either “saw the sign” on a fence, they heard about it from friends, or by attending an event where LFW information was available.In50%ofoccasionswherepeoplewereundertakingmanagementactions,LFWdirectlyinfluencedlandholdersundertakingthosemanagementactions.

Almostallmembersarededicatedtonatureconservation,believingitistheirownresponsibilitytotakeaction,andthatmorepeopleshouldtakeaction.Memberstakeimmensepride in telling others about their involvement in Land For Wildlife. The Land For Wildlife program has been quietly enriching and improving connections between community and wildlife landscapeseversinceitbeganin1981.

Since1981,over8,900propertieshavebeenregisteredasLFW,engagingandmotivatingmorethan20,000peopleinVictoriaalone(thenumberdoubleswheninterstatepropertiesareincluded).Withothers,thishasbroadlyinfluencedconservationoutcomes on private land locally, interstate and internationally.

Congratulationstoallmembersfortheirdedication to Land For Wildlife and voluntary conservation, and for directly orindirectlyinfluencingothers,byeducating families, friends and neighbours, or by helping othersfindtheconfidencetocompleteworkson

their properties.

30 Year Anniversary

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Land For Wildlife in ‘Tree-change’Landscapes

Inrecentdecades,Victoria’sruralfarminglandscapehasundergoneasignificanttransition,withaninfluxofnon-farminglandholders to areas of high amenity. These high amenity regions are often around the coast, hinterland regions and within commutabledistancetoMelbourneorotherregionalcentres.Amenityin-migrants,oftenreferredtoas‘tree-changers’or ‘sea-changers’,haverelocatedfromurbanorsuburbanMelbourne,orjustasfrequently,fromruralregionselsewhere.

Thetree-changephenomenonhasraisedquestionsamongstfarmingcommunities,policy-makersandresearchagenciesregarding the land management capacity of new rural landholders. While their interest in conservation is considered tobehigh,thepracticallandmanagementexperienceofsuchlandholdersispoorlyunderstood.Theresearchprojectfromwhich this article is sourced focuses on how people from non-farmingbackgroundsareconfrontinglandmanagementchallenges on their property. Landholders from various land usebackgroundsinthehinterlandregionsaroundMelbournewereinterviewedforthisproject,includinganumberofpeopleenrolled in Land for Wildlife. For those involved in Land for Wildlife,anumberofkeythemesemergedregardinghowtheprogram contributed to conservation practices:

• InvolvementinLandforWildlifeprovidesparticipantswiththesensethattheybelongtoacommunityoflike-mindedpeople.Theprocessofreadingabouttheexperiencesofother landholders in the newsletter, helped many feel a sense of attachment to a community of common interest. This was especially true for people who felt isolated due to conflictingrelationshipswithneighboursoverconservationissues. The newsletter also provided more than a ‘fuzzy’ feeling,withanumberoflandholdersidentifyingkeymanagement practices they had adopted after reading the suggestionsinthenewsletter.Readingadvicefromfellowlandholders also helped to reduce barriers to management, byencouragingpeopletogivethingslikenestboxconstruction a try.

This was especially important when people felt they didn’t havetheappropriateknowledgeorskillto‘getinvolved’inactively managing their bushland

• AnumberofpeoplewithaLandforWildlifesignontheirfrontgatealsoreportedbeingasourceofknowledgeforother neighbours. The sign seemed to attract questions fromneighboursaboutthingslikebirdidentificationandindigenous plants, potentially helping to trigger an interest in conservation for those living nearby.

Ofparticularnotewasthelengthytimeperiod-sometimesdecades-forLandforWildlifepropertyownerstoslowlyencouragesomeoftheirneighbourstomakesubtlelandmanagement changes

• Interestingly,theLandforWildlifesignwasnotjustanoutwardexpressionofconservationvalues,butalsoanaffirmationofthebiodiversityvalueofthepropertyitself.Forthoselandholderswhowereemployedoff-property,coming home and seeing the sign reinforced the habitat valueoftheirproperty,andtheimportanceofkeepingupwithweedcontrolandothermanagementtasks.

Overall,LandforWildlifeparticipantswerekeentohelpeducate their neighbours, but their primary interest was learning moreabouttheirown‘patch’.Asmanylandholderswereseekingout a lifestyle change in the form of rural land ownership, it was not surprising that the property itself proved to be the focus when it came to learning about conservation.

LandforWildlifeiswellsuitedtotheruralamenitycontextwithits focus on education, and opportunities for interaction with agency staff.

BenCookeisundertakingaPhDatRMITUniversityinMelbourne,whichisexploringtheinfluencesontheconservation practices of private landholders. He has previously workedinlocalgovernmentasaconservationofficer.

[email protected]

CallforArticlesandContributionsIfyouwouldliketohaveyourarticle,interestingimagesoffloraorfauna,orothersnippets,pleasesendthemtousandwewillconsiderthemforpublication.Anysolutiontoaproblem, or a new approach, are all welcome.

Theycanbehand-writtenoremailed-anyformatisok.Welookforwardtohearingfrom you-including“letterstotheeditor”.

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ObservationsByALandForWildlifeMember,DevlinsBridge

Occasionally, members will send in their observations and lists of wildlife they have encountered on their properties. One such list is from Trish Betheras at Devlins Bridge. Her account reflects the enjoyment and satisfaction of watching wildlife from the verandah:

DearNigel(LFWExtensionOfficer,Alexander),

“Weareallrevitalisedtomakeandgetarangeofboxesupaboutthefarm.Wehavebeenquiteselfishsofar,asmostoftheboxeswehaveputuparearoundthegardenwherewecanenjoywatchingtheoccupants!Ourgardenpositivelyteemswithsugargliders!Althoughtwoofthefourboxesarenowoccupiedby bees and am not sure if there is any way to get rid of them whichdoesn’tinvolvefallingoffaladderandbeingstung.Anyideasonthis?”(Ed.Seenotebelow.)

“IamthinkingwehavebeeninLandforWildlifefornearlytwentyyearsnowandithasmademethinkbackoversomeofthememorableanimalencounterswe’vehad.I’mnotsureifyouareinterestedinnarrativefromyourmembers,butIwouldthinkitcouldmakeinterestingreadingifallputtogether.Sohere are some of our highlights:”

• Koalaintopofappletree,despitebeingsurroundedbymanna gums!

• Counting30turtlesinonedam,summer2007,whenmostdams are dry.

• Familyoftawnyfrogmouthsroostingthewholesummerinstringybarksnexttohouse,mum,dad&babyspenteveningscatching moths brought by the house lights.

• Bushrateatingparrotseedontheverandah

• Pairofrainbowbee-eatersfeedingonthebeesintherosesaroundthegarden.Presentforonesummerbutnotseensince.

• Pardalotepairattemptedtonestinopenendof‘pinkbatts’inshed,disastrous.Allnestlingsdied.

• Batsroostingunderpillowofoutdoorfurnitureandunderfold of old coat hung in shed.

• Sugarglidersnestinginapexofshedandhavingtovacatein heat of day. Had shed full of unhappy possums, one baby tookrefugeundertractorcanopy

• MotherwombattrudgingdownSteuartsLanewithpouchdraggingonthegroundandalegstickingoutofit.

• Thefirsttimeweheardthebarkingowlscreammyhusbandjumpedinthecaranddrovetotheneighbour’shousetomakesureshewasok!

• Flocksofbowerbirdsintheorchardthisautumnforthefirsttime.

• ThelargegroupofGang-gangCockatooswhichcameeveryafternoontodrinkfromthehorses’troughoversummer.Notintheleastscaredofpeople&thekidslovedseeingthebabies being fed.

• ThemajesticpairofWedgeTailsIseeoftencloseupwhengoingoverourtallhills.Neverfailstothrillandhumblesimultaneously.

• AnimalsIusedtoseebuthaven’tseenfor20yearsormore;redbelliedblacksnake,crestedshriketit,rufousfantail.

“ThingsI’dliketoseebuthaven’t:antechinuses,longnosedpotoroo, feathertail glider. There is no doubt that it is the presence native animals and birds on our farm that give it soul and‘value’.Ithinkwithoutthemwewouldhaveaprettypiece of ‘worthless’ land.

Thanksagain,TrishBetheras,DevlinsBridge.”

(Ed.ThankyouTrishforthiswonderfulaccount.Regardingtheremovalofbeesfromanestbox,itisbesttocontactapestmanagementprofessionalwithbeeexperiencetoremovethecolony.Aftertheboxisdownandthebeesareremoved,scrapeoutallthehoney-combandwax.Washtheinsideoftheboxthoroughlywithhotwater;don’tusesoapordetergents.Aftercleaning,allowtheboxtoairdrycompletely,thenstoreindoors.Replacethenestboxinlateautumntoavoidferalinvaders,andtomaximisethepotentialuseofthenestboxbywinterorspring nesting species).

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Land For Wildlife Pioneer,Birdwatcher, andConservationistItwithgreatsadnessthatRegJohnsonOAMpassedawayinMay2011onhisproperty,“Noonameena”,atBailiestonwhichheandhiswifeKathleenhadownedandnurturedforitswonderfulwildlifevaluessince1980,andoneofthefirsttoberegisteredunderLandforWildlife,alsoprotectedbyaTrustforNatureCovenant.

AlongwithEllenMcCulloch,RegJohnsonwasapioneeroftheLandForWildlifeprogramwiththeBirdObserversClubofAustralia(BOCA).RegwasaveryprominentmemberofBOCA(nowBirdObservation&ConservationAustralia),joiningtheClubin1962,serving20yearsontheBOCACouncil,sixyearsasPresidentandbeingawardedLifeMembershipin1988.

DuringthistimeRegbecameastrongadvocateforconservationonprivateland.In1974helefthisprestigiouspositionasChief

DraughtsmanfortheDepartmentofCrownLandsandSurveytotakeuptheroleofExecutiveDirectoroftheConservationCouncilofVictoria.WithEllenMcCulloch,RegJohnsoninitiatedthe concept of voluntary conservation on private land, leading tothecreationoftheLandforWildlifeschemein1981.

RegandEllencontinuedtotrainandmentorBOCAvolunteersconductingassessmentsofpropertiesseekingLandforWildliferegistration.BOCAcontinuestoprovidemoralandpracticalsupportforLandforWildlifeasreflectedintheBOCAlogoappearingontheLfWsignsnowproudlydisplayedon5,900properties across Victoria. The Land For Wildlife program hasbeenadoptedthroughoutAustralia,andisseenastheleading conservation program on private land, both nationally andinternationally.RegJohnsonwillberememberedforhiscontribution to many conservation causes, one of the most significant,andlikelyhisproudest,beingthemajorroleheplayedin the establishment and pioneering of Land for Wildlife.

(ThankyoutoDonSaunders,ConservationCoordinator, BOCAforinformationregardingRegJohnson.)

ValetoRegJohnsonOAM

Recently,theTrustForNaturecovenantingprogramreachedasignificantmilestonewith1,000conservationcovenantsacrossVictoria.TrustforNatureisanon-governmentprogram,anddeveloped its conservation covenant program so landholders could permanently protect remnant native vegetation on their own properties.

Overthepast25years,TrustforNatureanditscovenantorshaveprotectedmorethan80,000hectaresofgrasslands,woodlands,wetlands and other important habitats.

TrustforNature’smissionistoenablepeopletobequeathlandor money for conservation and for the purchase of threatened, privately owned bush.

ItisAustralia’soldestconservationtrust,allowinglandholderstopermanentlyprotecttheirpropertieswithsignificantconservation values as a registered covenant on the property’s title. This is “peace of mind” for landholders who worry about how their valuable asset will be protected when their property changes ownership.

The similarity between Land For Wildlife and the Trust For Natureprogramisthatbotharevoluntaryprocesses,withthekeydifferencebeingthatTFNplaceslegalprotectiononapercentage of the property supporting conservation values.

In1989theorganisationaddedarevolvingfund,whichallowsTrustforNaturetobuyimportantbushland,protectitwithperpetual conservation covenants and resell it so the funds can bere-used.

1000thTrustForNatureCovenant

Robert and Gail Cook From Axedale proudly show their commitment to both Land For Wildlife and Trust For Nature. source: Felicity Nicholls.

Conservation,Artand Land For Wildlife

Theareaknownas“Dunmoochin”isnearCottlesbridge,locatedNorthEastofMelbourne,andwassonamedbyCliftonPughashewasquitepossibly“Done–Moochin”around,settlingtherein1951.ThepropertycameunderjointownershipbytheDunmoochinArtistsCo-operative,withPughlaterestablishingtheDunmoochinFoundation,allowingartistsinresidencetoexploreartandenjoythespecialenvironmentatthecentreofDunmoochin.CliftonPughwasmadeanOfficeroftheOrderofAustraliain1985forservicetoAustralianArtandwasthree-timewinnerofAustralia’sArchibaldPrize.

Pughwasalsoapioneeringenvironmentalactivist. While there is no record of the property being registered with LFW, there are many LFW properties in the vicinityofDunmoochin,suchisthequalityof the environment and commitment oflandholderstoconservation.Inrecognition of the environmental values, PughobtainedaVictorianConservationTrust(nowTrustForNature)covenantoverDunmoochin.Thepropertyhasat least two plant species of national significancerecorded.PughdonatedDunmoochintoTrustForNaturein1989,allowing his legacy to continue and the significantenvironmentalvaluestobeprotected forever.

OneoftheothersignificantpropertiesintheDunmoochinareawithaTrustForNaturecovenantandLFWstatus,isownedbyDavidandJeanNicholls.WhentheNichollspurchasedthepropertyin1989,ithadpreviouslybeensubjectedtodamaging agricultural practices.

Fortunately,pocketsofhighconservationvalueescapeddamage,mostlikelyduethesteepnessanddifficultyofaccess,northofaremnantcreekline,andwhichconveniently divides the property.

The property supports one of the few examplesofrelativelyintactvegetation,retaining many of its original components prior to agricultural damage, including trees, shrubs, ferns, grasses and wildflowers.

HighlysignificantvegetationclassesincludeCreeklineHerbrichWoodland,Box-StringybarkWoodland,andValleyGrassyForest,allbenefitinggreatlyfromrecoverypracticeswithinthepast20years.Indeed,manyspecies,plusthepresence of many old growth trees ontheNicholls’property,arenotwellrepresentedthroughoutDunmoochin.Aremarkablerecoveryhasoccurredby seeding from many of the large old-growthtrees,consideringthatthe

property was cleared and contour ploughedinthemid-1950’sandfarmeduntil1990.Someecologicalthinningofaredboxthickethasbeencarriedout,andatleast75birdspecieshavebeenrecorded on the property over the last 10years.

Ongoingmanagementactionsincludemanagement of lower storey, control oftunnelerosion,andexclusionofmotorised vehicles outside domestic area.

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Before and after photographs (ten years apart) on the Land for Wildlife Nicholl property.

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LandforWildlifeMemberprofilesInthissectionoftheLFWNewsletter,weasksomememberswhytheyjoinedLFW,whatworkshavetheyconducted,whatdotheyplantodotoimprovetheirproperty,whataresomeofthespecialthingstheyhaveontheirproperty,andwhattheyhaveenjoyedfrombeingmembersofLFW.Hopefully,youwillfindsomeconnectionwithyourowngoalsandvaluesforyourproperty,withsomeideasforplanningyourownwork.

Julie and Paul WhitfieldNew member since 2010

Bendigo area

Why did you want to join Land for Wildlife?

Wanted to be an advocate in my area, and have neighbours get the idea of protecting their own properties.

What works have you completed to attract Wildlife?

Weedremovalandnestboxes

How are you planning to improve?

Directseedforerosioncontrolandplantoutdamwalls

Erect a rabbit proof fence around property

What do you have on your property?

HaveestablishedaTrustForNaturecovenantforpermanent protection.

48birdsspeciessofar ;7dragonflies;9butterflies;Woodlandblindsnake;andendangeredgrassAmphibromisfluitans.

Carol & Wayne CaseyMembers for 17 years

Traralgon Area


Didn’tknowmuchatfirstandfoundLandforWildlifeagreat source of information.


Blackberryandweedcontrol.

Alreadyhadgoodqualityhabitat,soweleaveittoattractwildlife itself.


Conductfutureweedmanagement

Bepartofvegetationstudiesonthepropertyandlocalarea.

What have you enjoyed as a member of Land for Wildlife?

LFW provides us with information and advice to address issues that may arise.

Enjoysgettingthenewsletterandshowingittoneighboursandpeopleatworktospreadmoreinformation.

Julie and Paul beginning their planting near the dam on their property at Lockwood, Central Victoira.

LFW’ers Carol and Wayne Casey conduct plant surveys, do revegetation and control weeds.

9doug and Jan Pocock Members for 9 years

Wedderburn Area


Toletpeopleknowtheywantedtoprotecttheirpropertyfor wildlife.


Completedweedremovalandallowednaturalregeneration

Reducedtheimpactsofgrazingonregeneration.

ImprovedMalleeFowlhabitat.

What projects do you have planned to improve your property?

Conductfutureweedworks

Conducterosionworksonproperty


Keepenhancinghabitatsforvariousthreatenedspeciesandeducating other people about the values of habitat.


Thenewsletter,accesstoinformation,andprojectsothermember’s are doing.

Marianne & Roy schriekeMembers for 20 years

Ballarat Area


Aftermovingtothecountryandnotknowanything,theywanted to learn as much as they could about their place and what they could do to improve it for wildlife.


Completedweedremovalandplantedapproximately 2,000nativespeciesincreekarea.


Conductfutureweedworks

Plant-updamtoenhanceitforwildlife


Enjoysgettingthenewsletters.

Likesfeelingliketheyaredoingsomethingforwildlifeandthe environment.

Likesbeingapartoftheprogramandhavingaccesstoinformation.

Land for Wildlife aims to encourage and support landholders to conserve biodiversity on private land, with all members sharing acommonvisionandextendingnatureconservationtothelandscapelevel.Land for Wildlife also promotes broader community participationinnatureconservation,andworkswithlandholderstofindbettersolutionstomanagementproblemsinvolvingprotectionand enhancement of wildlife habitat.

AnimportantcharacteristicoftheLand for Wildlifeprogramisthevoluntaryandpubliccommitmentthatland-holdersmaketonatureconservation,notdirectlylinkedtoincentivesorshort-termfinancialbenefits.Land for Wildlife members act as role models and help generate momentum for growth of the scheme by introducing neighbours and the general community to the ethic of conserving nature on private land.

doug seen here monitoring a Mallee Fowl mound. Marianne and family planting out their property... with a kangaroo enjoying the results.

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Keepingthesmallcreatureshappyonyourfarm:Revegetationand

bushland managementDoyouwonderabouthowbesttomanagebushlandareasonyourfarmfornativeanimalhabitat?Areyouinterestedinhowtomakethemostofgrantsforrevegetation?I’vebeenlookingintothesequestionsaspartofmystudiesattheUniversityofMelbourneandIfoundsomesurprisingresults.

VictoriaishometomuchofAustralia’scroppingandlivestockproduction,andourfarmingregionsareanimportantpartofourculturalhistory.Manyoftheagriculturalareashavebeenfarmedforover100years. This has involved heavy clearing, in some cases leaving lessthan10%ofthenaturalbushlandareas.Thus,whileagriculture has prospered, many of our native animals have rapidlydeclined.Revegetationisonemethodlandholdersand natural resource managers have used to stop native animal decline, as well as maintain farm productivity.

Overtheprevioustwoyears,IhavebeensurveyingrevegetatedareasintheWimmeraandBenallaregionsto see how effective this revegetation has been for native animal species, in particular reptiles and beetles. You may beaskingyourselves,why?Well,reptilesandbeetlesareseldom studied compared with birds and mammals, probablybecausetheyaresmallandrelativelydifficulttosurvey. However, they are a still a vital part of our natural environment,fillingawidevarietyoffunctionalroles;inaddition,beetlesinparticularareextremelydiverse. Mysurveystookplaceoverthesummermonths.Isurveyedusing pitfall traps to catch and release reptiles and beetles in private property and along roadsides to determine whethertheypreferredrevegetatedareas,existingbushlandorclearedroadsides.Ialsowantedtoknowwhetheritwasbetter to provide movement corridors such as windrows toconnectbushlandareas,ortoenlargeexistingbushlandareas.

Connectivityisimportant,especiallyinagriculturalareas,because bushland areas are usually isolated from one another–sometimesbyhundredsofkilometres.Thismakesitverydifficultorimpossibleforsomeanimalstodispersebetweenbushlandareas.Ifadiseaseorsomeotherdisasteroccurs in an isolated bushland area and animals cannot moveaway,thewholepopulationmaygolocallyextinct. Ontheotherhand,patchenlargementisimportantbecausethelargeranareais,themorelikelyitsanimalpopulations are to breed and survive.

WhatIdiscoveredfrommysurveyswasthatalthoughreptile and beetle populations were still present in these

agricultural areas, some species were reliant on bushland areas–especiallybushlandareasalongroadsides–ratherthanrevegetatedorclearedareas.Alongwithotherstudies,my research showed that although bushland patches provided better habitat than revegetated or cleared areas, theywereoftendegradedbylivestockgrazing.Thispracticereduced native grasses and disturbed fallen timber, litter and rocks,whichareallimportantforreptilesandbeetlestosurvive.Roadsidebushlandwaslessdisturbedbygrazing,soreptiles and beetles preferred these habitats.

Ialsofoundthatelementsparticularlyimportantforhealthyreptile and beetle communities were ground layer features such as native herbs and grasses, leaf litter, fallen timber androcks.Theseanimalsalsopreferredareaswithoutintroduced plants. While some animals such as birds are able to use areas revegetated with trees only, reptiles andbeetlesareveryreliantonwhatisatgroundlevel;replacement of these ground layers should be considered aspartofarevegetationproject.

Otherstudieshaveshownthatnativegrassesusuallywon’tcomebackontheirown,soweedcontrolandplantingofnativegrassesisnecessary.Ifyoualreadyhavenativegrasseson your property, they are a rare and valuable asset which should be protected.

Overall,bushlandhabitatsthataretheleastdisturbedbygrazingarethemostvaluablefornativeanimals.Nativegrasses and other ground layers are also very important in enhancingnativeanimaldiversityinbothexistingbushlandand revegetated farmland.

By Sacha JellinekPhD Candidate School of Botany, University of Melbourne

Fallen timber, grasses, herbs, and ground litter are

all important for reptiles and beetles to survive.

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CreatureFeaturesWater scorpion

Water scorpions are aquatic insects and live in ponds, where they hide among plantstoambushprey.Adultslaytheireggs in pond debris and the stems of waterplants.Waterscorpions,likemostinsects,needoxygen,andusetheirlong-tail-likesiphonor“snorkel”tobreathaftercomingupforoxygen.

Water scorpions are not really scorpions, butinsectswith3pairsoflegsand2pairs of wings. Their name comes from their specialized grasping forelimbs, which aresuperficiallysimilartothe‘pincers’of scorpions, and a siphon or breathing tube,whichsuperficiallyresemblesascorpion’s long stinging tail, without the venomous spine.

There is much uncertainty about the ability of water scorpions to sting. The “stinging apparatus” is located beneath theheadandis(apparently)quitepainfulbutnotasharmfulasascorpionsting.Itismorelikelythatthe“stingingapparatus”isusedforinjectingdigestivefluidsintoprey,whichitthensucksoutleavingbehind an empty shell.

Water scorpions are ambush predators usingtheirexcellentcamouflagetohidewhile clinging to plants with the second and third limbs waiting for prey. The forelimbs are held out at the front. When prey approaches, the hindlimbs straighten, swinging the water scorpion forward, and the victim is grasped by one of the forelimbs.

Red-shouldered stick-insect

FollowingthefloodsinnorthernVictoria,severalreportsofalargestick-likeinsectwere received. This particular specimen wasbroughthomeforidentification.There was quite a bit of debate between Felicity and myself as to whether it wasaPink-WingedPhasmidoraRed-shoulderedStick-insect.TheAustralianMuseuminitiallyidentifieditasa“Pink-wingedPhasmid”.However,informationfromTheCompleteFieldGuidetoStickandLeafInsectsofAustralia,byBrockandHasenpusch,2009(publishedbyCSIRO),andfeedbackfromDrAlanYen,DPIandformerMuseumofVictoriaEntomologist, indicated that this was indeeda“Red-ShoulderedStickInsect”.

This stunning large insect was initially describedfromInglewood,inCentralVictoria.ItfeedsonEucalyptusandisfoundinWesternAustralia,NewSouthWales,SouthAustralia,northernpartsof Victoria, with a record as far north as RockhamptoninQueensland.Theimageisofafemale,depictingthetypicalgreen-browncolour,alargeandbroad-body,with brilliant red “shoulders” to the wings. Hersizerangeis137mmto150mm,andcanlayupto58eggsin11days.The male is brown and elongated with large tessellated wings. We’re not sure if there was a connection between the floodeventsandourspecimenturningup. Several other sightings were reported duringthesameweek.

Mangrove Plodding echidna

Echidnas are surprisingly good swimmers, using their broad digging feet as effective paddles, with only the snout and a few spines showing. Echidnas will swim to cool-offinsummer.Theyhavebeenseen to cross wide beaches to swim and groom themselves in the sea. This image shows one plodding about in mangroves.

The echidna is common and widespread, and can live anywhere with a supply of suitable food. The diet of echidnas is largely made up of ants and termites, although, they will eat other invertebrates especially grubs, larvae and worms.

The breeding season for echidnas is from theendofJunetoSeptember.Twoweeksaftermating,asinglerubbery-skinnedeggislaiddirectlyintoasmallbackwardfacing pouch which has developed in the female.After10daystheegghatchesand the young remains in the pouch. Duringthefollowingperiodoflactationthe female spends most of her time in a burrow but will leave the young behind, coveredwithsoilorwoodfibre,togoforaging.Asechidnaslacknipples,themammaryglandssecretemilkthroughtwopatchesontheskinfromwhichtheyoungsuckle.Juvenilesareeventuallyejectedfromthepouchataround2-3months of age due to the continuing growthoftheirspines.Sucklinggraduallydecreasesupuntilthejuvenileisweanedatabout6monthsofage.

Photo: Felicity Nicholls Photo: Felicity Nicholls Photo: Robyn Malcolm

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DuringtheearlydaysofEuropeansettlementmanyimportantwetlands throughout Victoria were drained, causing a dramatic decline in the habitat for a wide range of species.

Fortunately many landowners now recognise the value of wetlands and have actively sought their preservation or restoration.Thishasbeenthecaseat“Challicum”,aLandforWildlifepropertynearBuangor,approximately170kmswestofMelbourne.Thepropertycovers1300hectaresandproducesfinewoolandprimelambs.Thecurrentowner,MrDougHopkins,joinedLandforWildlifein1990andhassincecarriedoutawiderange of measures to preserve and enhance wildlife habitat.

Alongtermstudyofthevertebratefaunaofthepropertycommencedinlate2002(seeAfaunasurveyofChallicum,a LandforWildlifepropertynearBuangor,LandforWildlifeNews,Vol5,Aug/Sep2004).

Onemajorprojecthasbeentherestorationofanimportantephemeralwetlandthatwasdrainedintheearly1960s.ThesiteisonthefloodplainofFieryCreekatanisolatedlocationontheproperty.HistoricallythewetlandwasknownasakeylocationforBrolgaGrusrubicundus.AgrantwasobtainedfromtheGlenelgHopkinsCatchmentManagementAuthorityandinMarch2006the drainage line was dammed and an area surrounding the wetlandwasfencedtoexcludestock.

Several hundred indigenous trees and shrubs were also planted ontwoslopesabovethewetlandinOctoberofthatyear.Anoldfence-linethatranthroughthesitewasdismantledandthirty-eight old fence posts were placed around the edge of the wetland as habitat for small vertebrates.

Whenfull,therestoredwetlandwouldcoverapproximatelytwohectares,withasurroundingfenced-offareaofapproximatelyfouradditionalhectares.DuringthefirstweekinMay2006substantialrain fell across western Victoria and the water level in the newly restoredwetlandrosesignificantly.WithindaysthreeBrolgaswereseen at the wetland.

InJune2007afurthertwoBrolgaswereseenandthespecieshasbeenseenthereseveraltimessince.TheBrolgaisstillcommoninnorthernAustralia,however,inVictoriathepopulationisgreatly reduced and the species is listed as threatened under the VictorianFloraandFaunaGuaranteeAct1988.

InMay2007twoadultRed-cappedPloverswereseenwithtwolargefeatheredchicks,confirmingthatthespecieshadbredsuccessfully. This species usually breeds in Spring, but will breed atanytimeoftheyearifconditionsaresuitable.InNovember2007tenadultRed-cappedPloverswereseenatthewetland.InSeptember2009twoadultAustralianShelduck(knowntomanylandownersasMountainDuck),wereseenatthewetlandwithapproximatelytwenty-fourducklings.

NumerousotherwaterbirdsandwaterfowlhavebeenobservedincludingPacificBlackDuck,GreyTeal,WoodDuck,Black-wingedStilt,White-facedHeronandMaskedLapwing.Otherbirdshavetakenadvantageoftheimprovedhabitat,includingAustralianKestrel,White-frontedChat,FlameRobinandWelcomeSwallow.

InNovember2009,theoldfencepoststhathadbeenplacedaround the edge of the wetland were carefully turned over revealingaFat-tailedDunnart.Thereissomeconcernforthefuture of this nocturnal grassland species as some modern farming practicesinvolvetheremovaloflogsandrocksfrompaddocks,essentialdaytimerefugesforFat-tailedDunnarts.

Frogs have been slow to colonise the wetland, which may be duetoitsisolatedlocation.However,severalCommonFrogletsCriniasigniferawereheardinNovember2010and,inApril2011,aGrowlingGrassFrogLitoriaraniformis(seephoto)wasfoundunder one of the old fence posts mentioned above.

TheresultsfromtherestorationatChallicumshowthatlandowners can play an important role in conserving and enhancingbiodiversity.ThisprojectwascompletedunderDepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironmentandDepartmentofPrimaryIndustriespermitsgreatlyassistingtheconservation ofthreatenedspeciessuchastheBrolga.

Acknowledgements

• StafffromtheGlenelgHopkinsCatchmentManagementAuthorityprovidedmuchappreciatedadviceandguidance intherestorationoftheChallicumwetland.

Peter Homan School of Life & Physical Sciences RMIT University Email: [email protected]

Rebirthofawetland

Photo: Felicity Nicholls

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TheStripedLeglessLizard(Delmaimpar),isamemberoftheleglessorflap-footedlizardsfamily(calledPygopids).Aswithother members of this family, the Striped Legless Lizard has no forelimbsanditshindlimbsappearonlyassmallflapsoneithersideofthevent.Superficially,theyresemblesnakes,butcanbereadilydistinguishedfromthelatterbythepresenceofexternalearopenings,afleshyundividedtongueandatailwhich,whenunbroken,islongerthanthebody,charactersnotexhibitedbysnakes.

The species which most closely resembles the Striped Legless Lizard,andwhichoverlapsindistribution,istheOliveLeglessLizard,Delmainornata,amorecommonspeciesoccupyingabroaderrangeofgrasslandandgrassy-woodlandhabitats.

InVictoria,theStripedLeglessLizardissparselydistributedingrasslandsofcentralandsouth-westernVictorianandmayhavedeclined over its distribution and disappeared from many sites. TheStripedLeglessLizardsheltersmainlyingrasstussocksandotherthickgroundcover,itisthoughtthattheyenterastateoftorpor(similartohibernating),andoverwintermostlyinsoilcracks,underorbesiderocksandintussockgrass-bases.

Untilrecently,theStripedLeglessLizardwasthoughttoinhabitonlynativegrasslandsdominatedbyspeciessuchasSpearGrassandKangarooGrass.Inrecentyears,surveyshaverevealedtheymayoccupysitesdominatedbyexoticgrassessuchasPhalaris(CanaryGrass).

The presence of a relatively dense and continuous structure, rather than the diversity of grassland plants, may be important in determining the persistence of the Striped Legless Lizard at some sites, including using vegetated road easements, less disturbed neighbouringlandorevensoilcracksandspiderburrowsintheshort-term.

The Striped Legless Lizard

TreatingMangein Wombats

Mangeinwombatsisanunfortunatecondition,leadingtothedevelopmentofthick,crustylesionswhicheventuallycrackandbecomeexposedtosecondaryinfectionorsepticaemia.Theincreasing nutrient needs of the wombat means that it must feed for many more hours in the day and increase its range to findfood.Severelyinfectedwombatscanweighhalfthenormalbody weight of a healthy animal.

The condition ultimately leaves a wombat with reduced senses (egitcanloosemuchofitssight),andreproductiveactivityceasescompletely.Infectedanimalsexperienceongoingpainandeventuallydie.Itispossibleforlocalextinctionstooccurifenough animals in a population become infected.

Althoughwombatshavebeensuccessfullytreatedincaptivity,duetotheneedforrepeatedmedication,thesuccessfultreatmentofwildwombatshasbeenextremelydifficultorimpossibletoachieve. The mite which causes the condition can survive in wombat burrows for longer than the effective life of treatments. There is no quick-fixsolution,butwombatssufferingwithmangecanbesuccessfullytreatedTheprocessbywhichthisisachievedrequiresnospecialskills.Itdoesrequirecare,withmuchpatienceanddedication.

FurtherreadingregardingtheSarcoptisscabieimitethatcausesmangecanbefoundattheWombatProtectionSocietywebsiteat: www.wombatprotection.org.au

Photo: sue Aldred

Photo: Peter Robertson, Wildlife Profiles

PropertiesforSaleHenk van Leeuwen

Thiseco-friendlyresidenceissetonagentlyslopingblockofalmost2acresofbushandlandscapedgardeninaquietandsought-afterareaofEmerald,lessthan1houreastofMelbourne.

The owners have carefully managed the property to enhance biodiversityandhabitat.Itsupportsawiderangeofindigenousvegetation including many species of high conservation value, withnumerousbirdsdrinkingandbathingatthebirdbaths.

Completewithwaterfeatures,low-voltagelights,qualitypaving,alfrescodiningandadeck,ithasasunnynortherlyaspectandwonderful views. The passive solar designed home includes an automatedventilationsystemthatpumpsinwarmfilteredairwhenrequired.Theownersfindnoneedforair-conditioninginsummer.3BRs,2bathrooms,studyandlivingandfamilyareas,offersareconsideredover$540,000.Contactowneron (03)59683981or0417350459.

“Valley Edge” Tolmie, NE of Mansfield

ThankstotheexploitsofNedKellyandhisgangatnearbyStringybarkCreek,“ValleyEdge”ispartofthelandthatwasopenedupforselectioninthelate1800’sinanefforttoridtheareaofhissympathisers.ThismagnificentLandforWildlifeproperty is at the end of a road which services only two properties.ItsstunningviewoverlooksPowersLookoutandincludesthewestarmoftheKingValleyandalmosteveryskiresort in Victoria.

“ValleyEdge”comprisesapproximately112acreswithacomfortable3bedroomplusstudybrickhouse,amplesheddingandanexcellentwatersupply.ItispartlysurroundedbyStateForest for your pleasure, whether that be seclusion, bush walking,horseriding,4WD,birdwatching,trailbikeridingoranyotheractivitywhichtakesyourfancy.Morethantwothirdsof the property is regenerated natural bush, which attracts an abundance of wildlife.

Ifyou’reinterestedinthispropertyandwanttoknowmore,pleasereferto:www.valleyedgetolmie.com.auorcontacttheownersGeoffrey&KayeCoates(03)57762273orMobile0412645525.Price:$1.45m(negotiable)

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CONseRVING PLATYPUs Cd-ROM

TheAustralianPlatypusConservancy(APC)hasrecentlyproducedanew CD-RomentitledConservingPlatypusandWater-Rats,whichisdesignedtobeausefulresource for management agencies, planning authorities, environmental groups, students and interestedindividuals.DrawingupontheAPC’sresearchfindingsoverthepasttwodecades,theCD-Romcontainsdetailedconservationguidelinesalongwithawealthofinformationabout platypus biology and ecology.

Acomprehensivereadinglist,FAQsectionandquizarealsoincluded,alongwithachaptersummarisingthebiologyoftheAustralianwater-rat(orrakali).

TheCD-RomalsocontainscopiesofvariousinformationleafletsproducedbytheAPC(AGuidetoSpottingPlatypusandWater-ratsintheWild,PlatypusEmergencyCare,Platypus-friendlyAngling,andPlatypusContingencyPlansforWorksPrograms)whichotherorganisationsarewelcometoreproducefornon-profit,educationalpurposes.Todefraypostageandpackingcosts,thenewCD-Romcanbeobtainedatanominalcostof$5foronecopy(plus$2foreachadditionalcopy).ContacttheAustralianPlatypusConservancyatplatypus.apc@westnet.com.auorPOBox22,Wiseleigh,VIC3885.Re

centPublications

PropertiesforSale

45-47 Kerry Road Warranwood, 35km east of Melbourne CBd.

You can live the dream in a quiet bush environment listening to the birds, with resident swamp wallabies and echidnas, andtheoccasionalkoala,andyetbe35kmEastofCBD!ClosetoEastlinkandEastland,walkingdistancetoqualityschools:YarraValleyGrammar,LutherandSteiner.

Architectdesigned4/5BRsplitlevelhomeon3700m2 of indigenousvegetationinclcandlebarkandyellowbox,withownnaturalcreekmeanderingthrough.Hugewindowsallwithamazingviews.Expansivenorthfacingdeck,topclasskitchen,loungewithOFP,largerumpusroom,qualityfittings.Includespool,chookshed,5,000lrainwatertank.

LandforWildlifemembersince1996,siteofbiologicalsignificanceMaroondahCouncilandparticipantinBiodiversityrebateconcessionprogram,participantinMelbourneWaterstreamfrontagemanagementprogram.

$770K+ContactownerJodieRockliff0438128038oragentwww.landfield.com.au

Kerri Norris - 107 Kangaroo Gully Rd, Kangaroo Flat (near Bendigo)

ThisLandForWildlifepropertyissetonelevatedblockover2acresandisperfectforthosewhoappreciatethemany bird species and other wildlife which abounds here. The cottage is a very cosy, comfortable and bright home. Corkfloors,pine-linedwallsandabrightlypaintedfeaturewallalladdcharacterandwarmthtotheinterior.Behindthekitchenliesaspacious,split-levelfamilyroomwithareverse-cyclesplit-systemandwindowsonthreesidesoffering bush views. The dam offers a private wetland area wherePobblebonkandPeronsTreeFrogsliveinharmony,withresidentOwletNightjars,SugarGliders,Tuansknowntovisit.Ifyouarelookingtomoveoutofthehustleandbustlethenthisisdefinitelyworthaninspection.ContactSallySheahanon(03)54450044

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“The swift Parrots of Muckleford” dVd.

ThisamazingDVDshowsfootageofSwiftParrotsneverseenbefore.SwiftParrots(or“Swifties”) flyareturndistanceof5,000kilometres,andisthelongestreturn migration route of any parrot in the world. TheSwiftParrotislistedontheNationalEndangeredSpeciesList,withonly1200breedingpairsleftinthewild.SwiftiesbreedonlyinTasmaniaandeachyeartraveltotheAustralianmainlandto feed over the winter period.

ThisDVDwillshowyouhowtoidentifyaSwiftParrotbyitsdistinctivecallsandcolourthroughsomefabulousclose-upfootage. You will witness rare footage of some of their feeding habitsneverseenbefore.TheaimofthisDVDistohelpanybodyidentifySwiftParrotsbysightandbytheirdistinctivecalls.FilmedtotallyinMuckleford,CentralVictoriaoverafive-

year period by DebbieWorland,a member of the CastlemaineFieldNaturalistGroup.TheDVDfeaturesspecialcomments from BirdsAustralia’sSwiftParrotRecoveryCo-coordinatorChrisTzaros,andhasbeennarratedbyInternationalAwardWinner,JohnFlaus,aresidentofCastlemaine.BillIrwinProductionsofChewtonproducedtheDVD.TheMelliodoraFund,MelbourneCommunityFoundationandTheNormanWettenhallFoundation,andTheCastlemaineFieldNaturalistsClubprovidedsupportforthisproject.Youcanvisitthewebsitewww.swiftparrotsofmuckleforddvd.comformoredetails.

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statewide Coordinator PeterJohnsonBendigo (03)54304358 [email protected]

Bird Observation and Conservation Australia POBox185,Nunawading,3131 (03)98775342or1300305342(country)www.birdobservers.org.au www.dse.vic.gov.au/landforwildlife

Box Ironbark ecology Course

Nagambie,4thOctober-8thOctoberTheBoxIronbarkEcologyCoursebringstogetherleadingresearchersandexpertstoshareuptodateknowledgeandthinkingaboutthislandscape.Itisfieldbasedandparticipantswillworkinsmallgroups.Itemphasises ecological understanding and relationships and techniques that improve observationanddatacollectionskillswhichcan then be applied to other areas.

Participantswillgain:

• abetterunderstandingofthedistribution,natural values and ecological processes ofBoxIronbarklandscapes,pastandpresent;

• anunderstandingoftheimpactofhumanuseontheecosystem,pastandpresent;

• practicalskillsinobservation,description,survey, analysis, interpretation, map reading and ecosystem monitoring of flora,fauna,geomorphologyandsoils;

• opportunitytoapplynewskillsandtocollate and communicate information collectedfromthefield;and

• resourcestohelpplanforenhancedecologically sustainable management outcomesforBoxIronbarkremnants on private and public land.

For more details and to obtain an application form contact:

DSEBenalla Phone:(03)57611611 KimWilson(untilthe5thSeptember) E-mail:[email protected] Tel:0357840623 KateStothers(from5thSept2011onwards) Email:[email protected] Tel:0357611572

Field Naturalists Club of Victoria

ForallFNCVeventsPhone(03)98779860 Email:[email protected] Website: www.fncv.org.au

Wimmera Biodiversity Conference 2011

Natimuk1stSeptember-2ndSeptember,2011

Theme:Past,Present,Future Location:Natimuk Contact:SteffenShultz Phone:(03)53620792 [email protected]

Winter swift Parrot & Regent Honey-eater survey

6th-7thAugust

For more information or to register your assistance/receiveasiteallocationpleasecontactChrisTzaros(SwiftParrots) 0409235263orDeanIngwersen(Regenthoneyeaters)0409348553oremailthem:[email protected](RegentHoneyeaters)[email protected],orcall(03)93470757.

Trust For Nature 1,000th Property events

TrustForNaturehavereached1,000conservation covenants across the State. To celebrate, they are holding a number of regional‘thankyou’eventstorecognisethecontributionthose1,000volunteershavemadetoconservation.Tofindoutwhereandwhen,eitherphone(03)86315888orFreecall:1800999933orvisittheirwebsite:www.trustfornature.org.au

EventsandFieldDays

We Got It Wrong…

Onpage9ofthe2010LFWNewsletterwepublishedthefollowing images which were takenbySueAldredfromStAndrews(notHealseville).ApologiesSue!

HareOrchid(Caladeniamenziesii)

ChocolateLily(Arthropodium

strictum)

LandForWildlifeExtensionOfficersand contacts are at the following DepartmentofSustainabilityOffices:

AlexandraNigelWaterhousePhone:(03)[email protected] SmithPhone:(03)[email protected]

Bairnsdale and OrbostAmieHillPhone:(03)[email protected]

BallaratElspeth SwanPhone:(03)[email protected]

Bendigo, swan Hill, and Mildura AreasTerri WilliamsPhone:(03)[email protected]

Central, south and West GippslandKylieSingletonPhone:(03)[email protected]

Geelong and Colac AreasRebeccaWrayPhone:(03)[email protected]

Heywood, Portland and Warrnambool AreasBarryCarrPhone:(03)[email protected]

HorshamGlennRudolphPhone:(03)[email protected]:(03)[email protected] Melbourne & Port Phillip east AreasJohnHickPhone:(03)[email protected]

WangarattaMaryAndersonPhone:(03)[email protected]

WodongaMaryTitcumbPhone:(02)[email protected]

dse FreecallCustomer service136186

land for wildlife 2011 edition

Documents

years of land

private land

public land

wildlife program

wildlife member profiles

e t t e r o f t h e

protection of wildlife

i f e s c h e