CALM AND BUSH FOREVER IMPLEMENTATION

9 June 2006

David MitchellDepartment of Conservation and Land Management

OUTLINE.

Current Situation. Manager of Conservation Estate.

Off-reserve and Advisory programs.

Future.

Issues and topics for discussion.

In 2000 Bush Forever identified 51,200 ha (287 sites).

Remnant vegetation and Bush Forever Sites

CALM managed BF sites = 25,905 ha (102 sites).

To date taken on an additional 4,100 ha

Remnant vegetation, Bush Forever Sites and CALM estate

Urban Nature.

Provide technical advice, support and coordination of information for all bushland managers.

Identify and promote best practice bushland management

Capacity build bushland managers

Site specific advice and assistance

Focus on Bush Forever sites

Geraldton carnation weed in Paganoni Swamp Bush Forever Site 395

Present around edges, requires management to prevent further invasion.

Workshops and workdays to raise awareness of the weed and its impacts

Brochures and information Setting up trials to test herbicide

effectiveness Working with Friends, Perth

Biodiversity Project, Regional Parks, and Rockingham Regional Environment Centre

Urban Nature: commitments for 2006.

Skills for Nature Conservation training courses.

Ecoplan News, quarterly

Continuing trials to determine best practice

Bushland management demonstration days at 3 BF sites

Urban Nature training courses Nationally accredited week long weeds course one day workshops

Contact rural landowners offering advice and copy of Bushland Weeds

Other Off-reserve Programs.

Voluntary Nature Conservation Covenants. Land for Wildlife Bushland Benefits Direct specialist advice

Programs of other organisations

All “Opt-in” programs

THE FUTURE.

Increased areas under management responsibility

To date taken on an additional 4,100 ha ($0).

land management responsibility rises from 25,900ha in 2000 to over 38,000ha by 2010.

Level of management effort varies over sites. Reserve “design” and threats Levels of public use

THE FUTURE.

Costs of management.

CALM range from $20/ha to $900/ha.

Smaller urban reserves at higher end.

Local governments managing bushland (mostly smaller areas, high visitation) for $1,000/ha.

Capital/establishment costs 3-4 times higher

Revegetation and reconstruction is 10 to 100 times/ha.

THE FUTURE.

Additional off-reserve need.

If CALM expects to manage 38,000ha or more – ie 73% of BF area.

This leaves 14,000ha (27%) not under direct CALM management:

Local Government – 3,400 ha

State Government – 2,000 + ha Commonwealth Government – 4,800 ha Rural private ownership – 2,800 ha 100+ Friends Groups

THE FUTURE.

The Gaps.

Delivery gaps – not all sites are in final management

Expectation gaps – what level of management, advice?

Process gaps – what mechanisms exist or need to exist?

Encouragement and incentives to private landowners.

Resource gap – to fund additional level of existing service and new services.

THANK YOU