Cross property planning project update - February 2013

• Managing threats to biodiversity
• Practical ways to increase biodiversity - Junee
• Who, what, why and how?
• What bird is that? How health is my bushland?
• Using native species to manage roadside weeds.

Managing threats to biodiversity

One of the critical threats to biodiversity is the invasion of native remnants by introduced plant species, including noxious weeds, pasture species and environmental weeds.  To assist landholders in the Kyeamba and Humula cross property planning (cpp) groups we conducted two 3 day integrated weed management (IWM) workshops.  The days covered understanding plants and risk assessments; control methods and strategies; and development of an integrated weed management plan and monitoring strategies.

Armed with this IWM knowledge, the cpp groups are now working with Alison Elvin, from Natural Capital,  to develop an integrated weed management plan. These plans  will look at the management of invasive species on individual properties and across the landscape.  Funds are now available through the project to assist landholders with the implementation of their plans.

Landholders review weed management strategies on day 2 at the Humula IWM workshop

Practical ways to increase biodiversity  - Junee

The formation of new cross property groups in the Junee district is forging ahead. We had enthusiastic response from landholders at introductory meetings held in October 2012 at Illabo, Junee East and Old Junee.  To follow on from this success,  workshops have been planned for early March to discuss practical ways to increase biodiversity on properties.  Special guest presenter for the workshops is Toni McLeish from the Conservation Management Network.  We will also use the workshops to begin planning the location of  on-ground works, maximising biodiversity connectivity opportunitites.

For more information regarding the workshops please contact Sam Shannon,sshannon@murrumbidgeelandcare.asn.au, mob. 0487 953 776.

Members of the Illabo-Bethungra cross property groups review property and landscape maps

Who, what, why and how?

A key goal of our project is to assist land holders to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of conservation and biodiversity on their own properties and across their landscape. To do this effectively, we need to ask a few questions first up:

• What do we already know?
• Why do we do what we do?
• Where are our knowledge gaps?
• What needs to be in place for us to make changes?
• What are the drivers for balancing production with conservation?

We are developing a social survey that aims to capture this information. We will use this to inform how we proceed. It will also provide us with essential baseline information, against which we can then survey what we have achieved and what has changed at the three year and then six year mark. The survey will be conducted through March to May 2013.  

What bird is that? How healthy is my bushland?

Identifying what species of birds, mammals and insects are on a property serves a number of purposes. It provides us with information from which to assess  the health of the local environment and strategies that can be put in place to imrove it. It is important for improving land holder knowledge. It is also important for our project so that we can properly assess where we've come from, where we need to be going and whether or not we are achieving the beneficial environmental changes we've planned on.  

Members of the cpp groups at  Humula/Tarcutta, Kyeamba and Junee will all be involved in flora and fauna surveys in Spring this year.  Wagga Wagga based ecologist, Pat Murray, is leading a team which will survey all properties and conduct public workshops on biodiversity monitoring and assessment. This part of the project will culminate in a much anticipated “Family night stalk,” a spotlighting evening for brave children and their parents seeking out the creatures of the night in their natural habitat.

The harp trap is explained to landholders at a spotlighting evening in Kyeamba

Using native species to manage roadside weeds

A series of trials are being planned to look at roadside weeds management using competition from native species in the Tarcutta/Humula and Kyeamba Valley areas.   The trials aim to compare the competitive ability of (a) grasses, (b) Acacias, (c) shrub legumes, and (d) miscellaneous ground covers and forbs against introduced roadside species.

Treatments will include varying plant densities; the effect of sugar to provide a competitive advantage to natives over introduced species; the use of transplanted seedlings compared to seed; and the use of micorrhiza to see if there is any improvement in establishment and growth of the native species.

A further trial is planned for the Junee district to examine the effects of mixed population of native species that flower year round and provide resources for a range of beneficial insects that can help with regulating pest numbers.

If you have an idea for a suitable roadside site within the Tarcutta/Humula area please contact Peter Orchard on 0411 128 447 or Jacinta Christie on 0431 953 778.