land for wildlife news

Land for Wildlife NewsContents

From the Coordinator - Iona Mitchell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Private Forest Reserves Program - Covenant Protects

Blue Gums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Don’t Tidy Up Those Native Grasses! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Wildlife Fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Taken for Granted - Eucalyptus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Tas Weed Society - 1st Tas Weed Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Tasmanian Eucalypts - a quick guide to their

Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Leave Logs for Frogs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Protected Areas on Private Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Funding Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Two Fungi Book Reviews by Sarah Lloyd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Books for Plant Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Understory Network Spring Growing Season. . . . . . . . . . . . 14Members Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15New Programs in 2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15LFW Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16LFW Vision, Mission and Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Newsletter of the Land for Wildlife Scheme Tasmania

Volume 9: August 2005Contact details:Land for Wildlife CoordinatorPh: (03) 6233 6427, Fax: (03) 6223 8603Post: PO Box 44, Hobart 7001Email: [email protected] ISSN 1442-942X

The Land for Wildlife Scheme in Tasmania is delivered through The Department of PrimaryIndustries, Water and Environment in partnership with Wildcare Inc.

Brown Tree FrogLitoria ewingi

Leave Logs for FrogsWhy, see page 10

Photo: Peter Brown

DEPARTMENT ofPRIMARY INDUSTRIES,WATER and ENVIRONMENT

Land for Wildlife News, Vol. 9, August 2005

From the CoordinatorWelcome to the ninth edition of the Land For Wildlifenewsletter. From the feedback I have received about thelast newsletter many of the articles provided a good andinteresting read. There was a good response frommembers to the article by John Hayward (Land (andhelp) needed for (liberated) wildlife) with a number ofpeople phoning, or sending an email, offering to assistwith the release of orphaned or rehabilitated wildlife ontheir land. Many thanks for this - you may very well becontacted one day to take you up on your offer ofassistance. Any contributions you would like to make, orrequests to include notices of up and coming events orfield days are more than welcome – I strongly encourageyour contribution and input into the content of thesenewsletters. In fact, in response to a request from recentnew LFWers who wanted to meet others in their area wehave created a ‘Members Page’. Other interesting postingshave been added to this page – let’s hope the idea of an“open LFW property scheme” catches on. I hope thisencourages others to use this page in the nextnewsletter(s), contributions can include interestingobservations you have made, approaches you have takento tackling problems (e.g. weed control, revegetation),call for advice, sharing of ideas, or simply telling us aboutyour special piece of land. So, in the next edition of thenewsletter I hope there will be lots sent in for the‘Members Page’. You may also like to consider advertisingyour property for sale, or interest in seeking a Land ForWildlife property in another area – some of the otherAustralian state Land For Wildlife newsletters run addsfor Conservation Properties For Sale.

The scheme now has nearly 500 properties registered(496 to date) covering an area of approximately 41,200ha of land – that’s an impressive achievement. In manyareas there are clusters of properties either as neighbours,or properties close by all contributing to providingprotection and retention of much greater areas for wildlifespecies and habitats, often creating valuable wildlifecorridors. The influence of the sign has been a key factorin attracting people’s interest in the scheme and desire tojoin when they learn what the scheme is about and the

valuable contribution members are making towardsnature conservation on their land in this state.

In this edition of the newsletter we again have anothergreat article by Sarah Lloyd on the importance of logs andmessy bush. For those interested in Sarah’s Fungi articlein the last newsletter, she has provided review of twofungi books, which you may be keen to obtain. Theresehas provided a great guide to identifying Eucalypts (theycan be quite tricky to identify) and a listing and commenton good Tasmanian flora books – she has also done afantastic job of editing the newsletter. Again we havecontributions from the Private Forest Reserve Program(PFRP), Protected Areas on Private Land (PAPL) andthe Non-Forest Vegetation Program (NFVP). PFRPprovide a brief outline of the program changes anddescription of a recent property protected by aconservation covenant. PAPL would like to see morepotential New Holland Mouse habitat on the east coastprotected and the NFVP tell us why it’s best to haveuntidy native grasslands. If you are wanting to keepwildlife out of your vegetable garden, crops or pasture –some consideration for fence designs are suggested.

The Understorey Network is holding some plantpropagation workshops you may wish to attend, or youcan get in contact with them for seeds, or seedlings. InOctober there are a couple of conferences you may beinterested in attending, these are the First TasmanianWeed Conference and the North East BioregionalNetwork Conference. Dates and contact details areprovided. If you are looking for funding opportunities, orassistance, either as a group or as an individuallandowner, then consider investigating the AustralianGovernment’s Water Fund - Community Water Grants orEnvirofund. Brief details of the types of activities thesegrants cover, how much you can apply for, when theyopen and close and further information, or contact detailsare provided. The Tasmanian Landcare Association alsoprovides regular updates on funding schemes. Pleasecontact me if you would like further advice, orinformation. Enjoy your read of this newsletter.

Iona Mitchell

Private Forest Reserves Program - Covenant Protects Blue GumsA scenic East Coast property rich with threatenedspecies is now protected by a conservation covenantmade under the Private Forest Reserves Program.

The 71 hectares at Rudd’s Hill near Orford, contains alarge area of grassy blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) forest.Blue gum forest is important to the survival of theendangered swift parrot (Lathamus discolor), a migratoryspecies which breeds only in Tasmania. The breedingseason of the swift parrot coincides with the flowering ofthe blue gum. Blue gum nectar is the main source of foodfor the parrots during this time.

Landowner, David Nunn, said the financialconsideration offered by the PFRP had been an incentive

when considering the covenanting option. “I wasattracted by the money as it gave me the resources to dothe next thing I wanted to,” he said. Mr Nunn had beenaware of the environmental significance of the propertyas detailed flora and fauna studies had been conductedprior to the construction of two stone cottages. “Theland concerned is of no real use to me and if someonewas going to pay me to protect it, I was more thanhappy,” he said. “It is a gorgeous spot”.

Investigations discovered the rare plant lycopodeverlasting (Ozothamnus lycopodioides) on the property.The fern Hooker’s spleenwort (Asplenium hookerianum)

continued on page 3


Don’t tidy up those native grasses!Before you slash or clean up a grassy bush patch makesure they aren’t valuable native grasses. Unkempt shaggygrass tussocks are important habitat for many ground-foraging small bush birds, and provide food, shelter andprotection for bandicoots, bettongs and potoroos. Lookcarefully and you will see how lizards, insects and spidersuse these grasses to build their shelters and webs. Somesmall creatures burrow deep into the base of the tussock,hibernating through the cold winter months.

Tasmania has 250 species of native and introduced grasses- unfortunately they can be very hard to identify.Common Grasses of Tasmania – An Agriculturalists’ Guideby Peter Lane, Dennis Morris and Gillian Shannon fromthe Tasmanian Environment Centre is an excellent bookthat can help with the common species.

Native grass species occurin all Tasmanianvegetation types. SomeLand for Wildlife properties are lucky enough to have native grasslands. Nativegrasslands are important for conservation in Tasmania, and kangaroo grass and silvertussock grasslands are a priority for the Non-forest Vegetation Program. The Programoffers management advice and assistance, along with financial incentives to encouragelandowners to enter into longtermmanagement agreements or conservationcovenants to protect their nativegrasslands.

Contact Louise Gilfedder (Team Leader)Non-forest Vegetation Program 03 – 62338538.

Distinctive feature of kangaroo grass seed head.(Photo courtesy: L. Gilfedder)

Silver tussock grass (Poa labillardierei) forms largetussocks that are home to our small wildlife species.(Photo courtesy: L. Gilfedder)

Birds and lizards find food and shelter in dense patches of grasses such askangaroo grass (Themeda triandra).

(Photo courtesy: L. Gilfedder)

has also been recorded in a gully leading to the nearby Prosser River. This species is listed as vulnerable.

The covenant also protects the habitat of the vulnerable eastern barred bandicoot (Parameles gunni). Tasmania is a laststronghold for this species that has almost completely disappeared from mainland Australia.

“This covenant is particularly goodnews for the swift parrot, which hasa population estimated at less than1000 pairs,” said PFRP manager, DrSteve Smith. “Blue gum forestswithin the parrots’ range havebecome fragmented and many lostas a result of land clearing. Theprotection of old trees – which are amajor food source as well asproviding hollows for nesting – is ofparticular importance to thesurvival of this species”.

Grassy blue gum forest on David Nunn’sproperty(Photo courtesy – Jon Green)

continued from page 2


This is a brief article aboutfencing to exclude wildlife fromareas where their activities areincompatible with other land use,such as vegetable or exotic plantgardens, fruit trees/orchards,valued crops. If total exclusion isdesired, then consideration needsto be given to features of thefence design to cope with animalsthat can dig under, pass throughthe fence slightly above groundlevel and those that can climb, orjump over.

Fences can be a problem forwildlife and can have a negativeimpact if not properly designed.Large scale wildlife exclusionfencing can form a barrier to themovement of wildlife, forexample across valley floors, oralong wildlife corridors, thusreducing the health of wildlifepopulations, or placing increasedpressure on populations confined,or restricted, in their range ofmovement. Fences can also posea disruptive barrier for somespecies, such as bettongs andechidnas, which do not cause anyproblems. Electric fences maycause the death of wildlife largelythrough electrocution. This canoccur through entrapment on thefence and inability to escape, toparticular animal’s reaction toelectric shock. Echidnas forexample respond to the electricshock by raising their quills andcan remain stuck in the fenceuntil killed by the current, theyalso tend to continue to pushforward rather than backingaway.

Snakes and lizards tend to wrapthemselves around the live wirewhen they receive an electricshock. Bats and birds landing ontop of fences may spread out theirwings, or steady themselves byholding onto the closest wire,which may be live. Similarly,

their response to electric shock isto grip tighter.

The use of electric fencing canreduce costs significantly, butrequires higher maintenance andregular checks to ensure thatthere is current flow along theentire fence line. Vegetation orbranches touching wires cancause shorting out, similarlyanimals caught on the fence andkilled may short out current flow.To avoid killing wildlife, it isimportant to select appropriatespacing of wires and to use plainwire not barbed wire. Forexample, to deter wombats fromdigging under the fence, it hasbeen suggested to use a liveoutrigger wire (live wire set outfrom the fence) spaced at 25 cmto 30 cm above the ground.Alternatively, wombat gates canbe located where their pathcrosses the fence to allow them topass through without damagingthe fence.

A wombat gate is a heavy rigidframe approximately 40 cm wideand 60 cm high, hinged at thetop and with either weldmeshwire, or plywood centre.

One simple fence type which hasproved effective in keepingpossums out is the ‘floppy topped’fence (Fig. 1 and 2). This couldbe modified to include a meshwire ‘apron’ which extends outfrom the base of the fence and isslightly buried underground tostop rabbits and wombats fromdigging under. Generally theheight is approximately 1.5 m, onthe basis that Brushtail possumscan only jump about 1 mvertically. It could be raisedhigher to exclude wallabies orkangaroos. The main verticalsection of the fence can beconstructed of any fence materialto prevent wildlife gettingthrough (e.g. wire mesh, timber,tin sheets). A netting overhang isfitted to the fence as shown, withthe curved overhang on theoutside of the fence.

The curved overhang and springcapacity of the floppy top isachieved by weaving 60 cmsections of high tensile wire intothe netting (see Fig. 2). Thefence works by preventinganimals climbing over the top, asthey attempt to do so, the fencebends down and the animal will

WILDLIFE FENCING

Fig. 1. ‘Floppy-topped’ possum proof fence.

Possum proof fence

Outside

Inside


let go and fall to the ground. Thefloppy top will spring back to itsoriginal shape.

At a recent field day on a farmnear Copping, there was ademonstration of a very effectivefence to exclude wildlife, inparticular wallabies, which poseda significant threat and loss tothe farmer’s pastures and crops.The farmer first cleared andlevelled the ground where thefence line was to run and gradeda shallow trench for extendingthe mesh wire (‘apron’) outwardsat the bottom of the fence, thisbeing covered over to bury themesh. Fence mesh was 105 cmtall rabbit netting with anapproximate 15 cm apron buriedinto the ground on the outside ofthe fence to prevent rabbits andwombats from digging under thefence (Fig. 3). The above groundnetting height was 90 cm and thenetting kept taut to stop damagefrom wallabies colliding with thefence. This was done by a strand

of plain wire along the top of themesh, to which it was attachedand another plain wire strandapproximately 1/3rd of the heightabove ground. Two live wireswere projected out from the fenceon insulators (about 8-10 cm),one set approximately 25 cmabove the ground to stopwombats, and the other at 100cm to stop animals climbing over,or Bennetts wallabies pushingtheir way through the fence. Twoplain wire strands were setapproximately 10 cm apart at thetop of the fence above thiselectric wire to stop wallabiesjumping over. In the first fewmonths of installation, the fencehad to be checked regularly toensure that nothing had shortedthe electric wires out (such asvegetation or branches fallingonto the fence). Wombat holeswere promptly filled and largerocks placed over to preventthem being re-dug out. This typeof fencing is expensive, butexpected to have a long life

(approximately 20-22 yearsanticipated) and has proved veryeffective.

These are a few ideas for fences,but there are many other typeswhich can be constructed. I haveseen some excellent enclosuresfor vegetable gardens inparticular. Perhaps you havedesigned and constructed verysimple and effective fences –there are many LFWers whowould like to know what worksbest.

Iona Mitchell

Source for ‘floppy-topped’ fence:LIVING WITH WILDLIFE –Brushtail Possums (Trichosurusvulpecula). Parks and WildlifeService Tasmania Note Sheet,Department of Tourism, Parks,Heritage and the Arts.

Platt, S. and Temby, I. (1999).Fencing wildlife habitat. LandFor Wildlife Notes, Departmentof Natural Resources andEnvironment, State of Victoria.

Above: Fig. 2. Side view of ‘floppy-topped’ fence.

Right: Fig. 3. Wallaby proof fence, front and side view.

Outside

60cm

Inside

fence mesh1m or more

60cm sections ofhigh tensile wirewoven into nettingas support


Man has contributed much to thesuccess of the eucalypt since wearrived in Australia more than40000 years ago and startedmanaging the landscape with fire.Eucalypts are synomous withAustralia and being Australian,dominating our landscape andpsyche in a way that no other genusachieves in any other continent.The whole nature of Australia isliterally imbued with their scent, thesmell of home. The general eucalyptsmell comes from the essential oilscineole and phellandrene. But wecan even smell the difference of asub-group of eucalypts, thepeppermints, which have their ownunique essential oil, piperitone.These oils are more concentrated inyoung foliage, presumably as adefence mechanism againstbrowsing. But our wildlife has beenin a long battle with these potentchemicals and has co-evolved toflourish on vegetation that is totallyinedible to herbivores from othercontinents. It is impossible toimagine Australia without eucalyptsand essential to remember howimportant they are in terms ofwildlife habitat. Eucalypts rule!

Australia has 800 species of eucalyptand Tasmania has 29. Of these 29species, 17 are endemic, found onlyin Tasmania and nowhere else.

So how do we identify them? Wellfirst we have to name them.

What’s in a name?The genus Eucalyptus belongs in thescientific classification system assuch:

A. They are flowering plants, ClassAngiospermae (not Gymno-spermae -conifers and pines)

B. They are dicotyledonous, subclassDicotyledones, which means theyhave 2 seed leaves (not Mono-cotyledones, one seed leaf -grasses and sedges)

C. They are in the family Myrtaceaewhich is characterised by oilglands and in Tasmania includesthe genera (plural of genus)Thryptomene, Baeckea, Calytrix,Melaleuca, Leptospermum, Kunzeaand Callistemon.

Binomial nomenclature (yes - that’swhat it’s really called!) is the way thescientific world identifies eachspecies, binomial meaning two wordsor names. The first name is the genusand the second is the species, so weare genus Homo and species sapiens,thus Homo sapiens or H. sapiens forshort. As you can probably alreadytell, the etiquette is to italicise bothnames and give the genus a capital,with lower case for the species. Thisis something that is rarely correct innewspapers and such.

The naming of Eucalyptus has itshistory here in Tasmania. In 1788,the French botanist Charles LouisL’Héritier de Brutelle (now there’s aname!) described and named a newgenus of plants. David Nelson andWilliam Anderson had collectedthese specimens from Adventure Bayon Bruny Island in January 1777during Cook’s third voyage.

Most scientific names come fromGreek or Latin terms and in thiscase, L’Héritier used the Greek prefixeu meaning well, and calyptus fromthe Greek kalyptós meaning veiled orcovered. It refers to the cap coveringthe bud - the flower is well covered.This cap or operculum defines thetwo subgenera of eucalypts inTasmania. In the subgenusMonocalyptus, there is a singleoperculum formed by the petalsfusing early in development. In thesubgenus Symphyomyrtus, there is adouble operculum, an inner andouter cap, derived in evolutionaryterms, from the sepals and petals.Eucalypt flowers have no petals,unlike leptospermums (tea trees) forexample, which are also in theMyrtaceae family.

As the eucalypt flower matures, theoperculum or cap falls off, leaving acircular scar (the operculum ring) atthe edge of the gumnut. What wethink of as the eucalypt flower is aring of stamens, the male part of anyflower that has a filament and anther(containing pollen). We’ve all seenthe newly de-capped eucalypt flowerwith multitudes of stamens bent intothe centre of the bud - gorgeous.After the flower has openedeventually all the stamen fall out and

Taken for granted : our not so humble Eucalyptus

leave another circular scar (thestaminal ring) inside the operculumring.

The area within the staminal ring isreferred to as the disk and it is herethat the nectar is produced. The diskis also the area where the maturewoody capsule (the‘gumnut’) hasshort triangular valves that open torelease the seed.

I bet you’ll look a bit closer at yournext eucalypt flower or gumnut!

By the way… The first eucalyptnamed by L’Héritier in 1788 wasEucalyptus obliqua, the common andwidespread stringybark. It has anoblique (slanting, having sides ofunequal length) leaf base.

Why are eucalypts so hard toidentify?Eucalypts can be really hard toidentify because they are variable ingrowth habit; that is, theirappearance can change dependingon their environment. For example,a White Gum in tall wet forest lookslike a different tree to the scragglyone on a dry hillside. Andannoyingly, eucalypts can alsohybridise. This can result in aneucalypt that has half thecharacteristics of one species andhalf of another. And these hybridscan hybridise with each other andalso back to their parents’ etc. etc.

Eucalypts have only dominated ourlandscape for a short time inevolutionary time scales and are verymuch in the process of evolving;hence applying a species name canbe difficult. The scientific definitionof ‘species’ is that two individualsfrom a population will producefertile offspring. Therefore thedonkey and horse are separatespecies but their hybrid, the mule, isnot a species because it is alwayssterile. Unfortunately science is notyet able to be so accurate with the


eucalypt. We don’t know enough about eucalypt genetics to clearly identifyspecies boundaries. If two different ‘species’ of eucalypt are producing fertileyoung then they should be classified as the same species. But then maybe weare just seeing evolution in progress and new species forming. In some cases,leaf oil chemistry is providing some answers. One thing we can definitely sayis that there is no hybridisation between the two subgenera (Monocalyptusand Symphyomyrtus) of eucalypt in Tasmania. So there are definitely twospecies!!

With the muddle that is eucalypt speciation, imagine for a moment howimportant it is to plant eucalypts of local provenance. You may create hybridsthat wouldn’t normally have occurred and disrupt natural gene pools andchange the course of eucalypt evolution. Source local eucalypts! It is not soimperative to use local provenance for most other species because they arenot so fond of hybridising.

Therese Smith

References: Books 1, 2, 3 and 12 of the plant identification list on page 14.

Left: E. obliqua from Sertum Anglicum by L’Héritier de Brutelle, originallypublished in Paris in 1788.

A DECADE OF CHANGE

- a celebration of the ten year anniversary of the TWS

13-14 OCTOBER 2005

Launceston Tram Sheds Function Centre

1st TASMANIAN WEED CONFERENCEFor registration forms or for more information visit: www.tasweeds.org

Email: [email protected]. • Ph: (03) 6421 7654

Weed Preventative Communityresearch weed management weed management

A momentous occasion in Tasmania’s weed fightingcommunity is approaching rapidly with the TWS’s 10thanniversary. To mark this special occasion the TWSwill be holding its first State Weed Conference.

Conference CostTWS members $100Non Members $120Students (F/T) $65

Registration after 31 August 2005 attracts a $20 late fee.

CONFERENCE DINNERAND TASMANIAN WEEDBUSTER AWARDS7.00pm - 11.00pm 13 OctoberAll delegates are welcome to a big celebration barbecue and presentation of the prestigiousTasmanian WeedBuster Awards at the Tram Sheds. Cost included in conference registration. A WeedBuster Week Event

Come and hear about a widerange of weed issues within thesethree categories: weed research inTasmania, preventative weedmanagement and community weedmanagement. Included in theprogram is a day in the field, whichwill take delegates to a variety ofweed management sites in thenorth of the state.

E. tenuiramis* silver peppermint lowlands in SE and east 7-20 attractive tree, trunk smooth & blotchy, often droopy branches with silvery foliage

E. ovata black or swamp gum widespread in lowlands in poorly drained sites 4-7 trunk smooth with rough stocking at base, glossy dark egg-shaped leaves - distinctly wavyE. rodwayi* black swamp gum widespread on cold flats at 300-800m, poorly drained sites 4-8 rough fibrous bark to top branches, smallest nuts (<5mm in diameter)

White Gum GroupWhite Gum subgroupE. dalrympleana mountain white gum widespread and common from 400-800m 3 no stocking, blotchy trunk, juvenile leaves egg-shapedE. rubida candlebark sparse distribution in cooler, inland E and SE regions 3 rough stocking at trunk base, juv. leaves glaucous, almost circular with scalloped edgesE. viminalis white gum, manna gum widespread below 600m (except west) 3 white trunk with rough stocking at base, juvenile leaves green and narrow

Yellow Gum subgroup

Blue Gum subgroupE. globulus* blue gum widespread near coasts of SE, east and Bass Strait islands solitary long dark leaves, large glaucous 4-ribbed nuts >15mm, juvenile stem distinctly square

Alpine White Gum subgroup

Black Gum Group

SUBGENUS Symphyomyrtus

SUBGENUS Monocalyptus Common name Distribution Buds Distinctive features

E. delegatensis* gum-top stringybark widespread, common 400-1050m 7-15 stringybark with white gum bark on top branches, juvenile leaves round, blue-greyE. obliqua brown-top stringybark widespread, common below 700m 7-12 only eucalypt with rough stringy bark to top branches, oblique leaf baseE. pauciflora cabbage/weeping ash widespread Central Plateau & Midlands, scattered N & E 7-12 smooth trunk mottled white/grey/yellow, adult leaves have parallel veinsE. regnans giant ash increasingly rare, not in west, 200-500m, wet forest tall tree 7-12 trunk white, stringybark base, bark shed in long strips, bud branches (umbels) often in pairsE. sieberi ironbark only in NE and top half of east coast 5-15 trunk has dark, deeply furrowed bark, upper branches smooth white, stems red near leaves

Peppermint GroupE. amygdalina* black peppermint widespread (except west) 5-14 grey rough bark, fine leaves with distinct peppermint smell when crushedE. coccifera* snow peppermint subalpine above 800m 3-7 bark shed in irregular sheets leaving smooth white surface, buds very grey, waxyE. nitida* Smithton peppermint widespread in west & SW (opposite of E. amygdalina) 6-12 grey rough bark but upper branches smooth, fine leavesE. pulchella* white peppermint lowlands in SE on dry north or west-facing slopes 7-15 trunk smooth creamy-white, very fine droopy leaves, tree has delicate appearanceE. radiata (name uncertain) Forth River peppermint rare, restricted to upper valleys of Mersey, Forth and Wilmot Rivers 10-21 looks like E. amygdalina but juvenile leaves are broader with round basesE. risdonii* Risdon peppermint rare, restricted to Meehan Ranges, eastern shore of Derwent River 7-15 very distinctive silvery (glaucous) appearance, leaves rarely develop past juvenile stage

E. barberi* Barber's gum rare, on dry rocky slopes of Eastern Tiers & Bicheno 7 shrubby mallee (2-15 stems from ground level) with smooth grey bark, stems redE. brookeriana Brooker's gum broad range but small disjunct populations 7 looks like E. ovata but juvenile leaves have scalloped edges

E. johnstonii* yellow gum localised in south east 500-800m 3 colourful streaks on smooth trunk, nuts >9mm in diameter

E. archeri* alpine cider gum alpine, >1000m in north Central Plateau and NE, esp. Ben Lomond 3 juvenile leaves greenE. cordata* heart-leaved silver gum rare, confined to south-east 3 leaves opposite each other and heart-shapedE. gunnii* cider gum subalpine above 800m 3 juvenile leaves glaucous, attractive, used by floristsE. morrisbyi* Morrisby's gum rarest eucalypt, only at Risdon and South Arm 3 buds and nuts have warty protuberancesE. perriniana spinning gum rare, isolated in Sthn Midlands, 500-620m 3 juvenile leaves fused, retained on adult, can separate from stem and form spinning discsE. urnigera* urn gum subalpine, 600-1000m, Wellington Range & SE Central Plateau 3 nuts are urn-shaped

* endemicCan usually eliminate these species - they are at high altitudes or rare/uncommon/localised Therese Smith

E. subcrenulata* alpine yellow gum subalpine 700-1100m, west and central mountains 3 nuts 6-9mm in diameterE. vernicosa* varnished gum subalpine 700-1000m, west and SW mountains 3 only eucalypt consistently <3m tall, small 'varnished' leaves

Ash Group

TASMANIAN EUCALYPTS - a quick guide to identification


On the still nights of early spring the sound of singingBanjo Frogs (Lymnodynastes dumerili) drifts up the hillfrom a distant farm dam and the bleating of TasmanianFroglets (Crinia tasmaniensis) emanates from a sunkenbath; in late summer the tentative call of the TasmanianSmooth Froglet (Geocrinia laevis) indicates its presence,and on any suitable day or night Brown Tree Frogs(Litoria ewingi) “cree cree” repetitively. There are nodams or ponds on our Land for Wildlife property atBirralee, but there are plenty of frogs.

Most people are aware that frogs are sensitiveamphibians and that most need water in which to breed.Many may even have an intimate knowledge of frogs’internal organs, based on high school biology lessonswhen they dissected frogs. But despite their widespreadpopularity, very little is known about frogs’ ecology andrequirements outside the breeding season and one of themost common misconceptions is that frogs live in water,and that creating ponds and dams will enhance habitatfor frogs.

In Murray Littlejohn’s Frogs of Tasmania (Littlejohn2003), the habitat of all eleven Tasmanian frog species isdescribed. Most live in open woodlands, forests andcleared areas and, to a greater or lesser extent dependingon the species, they are associated with moist areas,puddles or large, deep bodies of water.

Our forested land at Birralee has no suitable breedingsites for Southern Banjo Frogs yet I regularly find themwhen digging in the vegetable garden. Presumably, afterbreeding in the dam on the neighbouring property, theymove upslope to search for suitable friable or sandy soils.Using a specially modified structure on their hind foot,they bury themselves deep in the ground, where theyescape the dry conditions of summer and use the soil asan insulator. Brown tree frogs clamber up the windows,hop around the shower, one even seems to have apenchant for the hot water tap. More often, however, Ifind them in the vegetation or hiding under logs. Theirpreferred habitat, especially during dry periods, is “thickmarginal vegetation, or under logs and fallen fenceposts”. Which brings me to the real reason for thisarticle: the importance of logs – and not just for frogs!

On the rare occasions when I have had reason to movelogs I’m amazed at the life they harbour. The first hint ofthis abundance is the sound of tearing filaments as fungalhyphae that link soil to log are ripped when the log ismoved. Spiders scurry from their webs, beetles and antsretreat into tunnelled soil, and millipedes, centipedes,snails and flatworms slowly move to escape the intrusion.

Standing dead trees are also home to a wealth ofinvertebrates. During the violent storm that lashed thenorth of the state last summer an old dead tree in anearby gully succumbed to the power of the easterlywinds. The following day the shattered wood on theforest floor was crowded with thousands of ladybirds. Thenext day they’d gone, presumably to search for anotherstanding dead tree; now an increasingly scarce anddiminishing resource.

A SCARCE RESOURCE - LEAVE LOGS FOR FROGSMost species of eucalypts shed limbs, small branches andcopious quantities of bark and leaves. This material, aswell as fallen dead and living trees, known collectively ascoarse woody debris, is habitat for a range of species.Many invertebrates take refuge or breed in this organicmatter and their muted colours and cryptically patternedbodies help them to escape the prying eyes of predatoryspecies such as birds and reptiles. Nonetheless, it is likelythat a significant numbers of invertebrates that areeventually taken by birds from either foliage, air or bark,spend at least part of their lives in this material.

Tasmania has a rich beetle fauna, with almost 500 speciesassociated with dead wood. Beetles, especially the larvae,tunnel into wood and thus provide a conduit for bacteria,fungi and other insects. Many insects are unable to digestthe cellulose in wood and fungi play an important role inconverting it to chitin, on which many insects feed.Thus the process of decomposition begins, and thenutrients that are used by a plant during its life arereturned to the soil as it decays.

There is a growing recognition worldwide that the loss ofcoarse woody debris from forests and woodlands is amajor threat to the conservation of biological diversity.In Europe, a third of forest dwelling species rely on logs,branches and dying trees for their survival. Forests withold and dead trees are often much healthier and moreresistant to disease, pests and climate change than youngforests.

In fact logs are regarded as so important to themaintenance of biodiversity in forest ecosystems that inVictoria, New South Wales and Queensland the loss ofcoarse woody debris “as a result of the removal of forestand woodland waste left after timber harvesting,collection of firewood, burning on site, mulching on site,and the removal of fallen branches and litter as general‘tidying up’” has recently been listed as a potentiallythreatening process.

Several species that are now endangered are furtherthreatened by the removal of this vital material. Itprovides nesting and sheltering sites for birds such asBrown Quail and Painted Button-Quail; foragingsubstrates for predators such as snakes and velvet worms;basking sites for reptiles, pathways for small animals andsubstrates for mosses and lichens. Mossy logs areimportant as germination sites, especially in wet forests.Many species of fungi live on dead wood; logs providemoist places for frogs and other invertebrates, especiallyduring fires and the invertebrates perform vital ecosystemfunctions, both as nutrient recyclers and as a source offood for birds, reptiles, small mammals, bats, frogs andother invertebrates.

The propensity of landowners to turn untidy bush intosomething more reminiscent of English parks iseliminating the habitat of a multitude of species, theAustralian bush is naturally messy – let’s keep it that way.

Sarah Lloyd

Land for Wildlife News, Vol. 9, August 2005 Page 11

Protected Areas on Private Land– Coastal vegetation protection

Coles Bay locals Kip and DianaNunn were one of the firstlandowners to sign a Protected Areason Private Land conservationcovenant. Not only have they signeda covenant at Marrawah, protectingthe rare Ground Parrot, but now alsoat Coles Bay to protect importantvegetation and potential rare NewHolland Mouse habitat.

The covenant at Coles Bay isimportant because much of the localcoastal scrub has been cleared forresidential development andagriculture, as is increasingly the casein many coastal areas aroundTasmania and Australia. The 21hectares protected under thecovenant is adjacent to the Moulting

Lagoon Game reserve. The areaunder covenant has a south-easterlyaspect, rising gently from theMoulting Lagoon reserve. Thecovenant is surrounded by privateland.

The covenant contains coastal blackpeppermint forest, coastal scrub andgrassland communities, which arebecoming all too rare. The area isalso habitat for many native animalsand birds, and also importantly forthe rare New Holland Mouse(Pseudomys novaehollandiae). Thistiny native mouse, weighing only 20-25 grams was once thought to beextinct. Its current distribution is notwell known, except that it occurs insmall patches on the east coast. The

New Holland Mouse is also verydifficult to find and identify.

PAPL are now contacting peopleowning land with native vegetationin the Freycinet area to encouragethem to protect their importantnatural values with a conservationcovenant.

The Nunns have demonstrated theimportance of retaining nativevegetation for its biodiversity values,aesthetic values and for futuregenerations. We would encourage alllandowners of coastal vegetation andother important vegetation types tofollow their example.

Joanna Edwards, Coordinator,Protected Areas on Private Land, DPIWE

References:Flora and Fauna Guarantee – Scientific advisorycommittee Final Nomination on a recommendation forlisting. (April 2003) Loss of coarse woody debris fromVictorian native forests and woodlands. Nomination No.647

Grove, S. (2002) Musings of a northern naturalist, TheTasmanian Naturalist Vol 124. Tasmanian FieldNaturalists Club Inc. Hobart.

Life giving dead wood ‘at risk’. BBC News/science/naturehttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/science/nature/3946273.stm(viewed 3/11/2004)

Littlejohn, M. (2003) Frogs of Tasmania. Fauna ofTasmania Handbook no 6. University of Tasmania,WWW Australia & DPIWE, Tasmania

McMullan-Fisher, S. & Lloyd, S. (2003) Treading softly –walking the web of l ife , Fungimap Newsletter 20,Fungimap, Melbourne

McQuillan, P. (1996) Understorey as habitat for insects andother invertebrates. In: Understorey in Farm Forests.Proceedings from a forum. Understorey Network,Launceston.

Recher, H. (1991) The Conservation and management ofeucalypt forest birds. In: Lunney, D. (ed) Conservation ofAustralia’s Forest Fauna. The Royal Zoological Society ofNew South Wales, Sydney.

The Science Show:23 October 2004 - Our Disappearing Frogs.http://www.abc.net.au/rn/science/ss/stories/s1161765.htm(viewed 26/06/2005)

Visoiu, M H & Lloyd, S J (2003) Bugs, birds, bettongs andbush: maintaining habitats for fauna in Tasmania, Kit 10 ofthe Tasmanian Bushcare Toolkit, Nature ConservationReport, Department of Primary Industries, Water andEnvironment, Hobart.

Foreground coastal scrub, background ‘The Hazards’, Coles BayPhoto: Jo Edwards

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Page 12 Land for Wildlife News, Vol. 9, August 2005

*Australian Government Water Fund

– COMMUNITY WATER GRANTSApplication for funds from this scheme are now openand will close Tuesday 4th October 2005. As part of theAustralian Government Water Fund, community groups,schools, local government, Catchment ManagementAuthorities and nongovernment organisations haveaccess to grants through the Community Water Grants.Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded to improvemanagement of water resources through practical on-ground work.

Community Water Grants promote a culture of wisewater use through community engagement, awarenessand investment in saving and conserving water.

The three key areas of activity for this grant scheme are:• Water savings/efficiency.• Water re-use/recycling.• Surface and groundwater health (such as protecting

or enhancing the health of rivers, wetlands andgroundwater resources).

The grants are not available to projects at the individualhousehold or farm scale, unless there is a demonstratedpublic benefit.

For further information and copies of the applicationguidelines and application form, go to the websitewww.communitywatergrants.gov.au, or contact theCommunity Water Grants Freecall line on 1800 780 730between 9.00 am – 4.00 pm, Monday to Friday.

*Australian Government– ENVIROFUND

(Natural Heritage Trust)The Australian Government Envirofund is the localaction component of the Australian Government'sNatural Heritage Trust. It helps communities undertakelocal projects aimed at conserving biodiversity andpromoting sustainable resource use of Australia’s naturalenvironments.

Community groups and individuals can apply for grantsof up to $30,000 (GST inclusive) to carry out on-groundand other actions to target local problems. Grants of upto $50,000 (GST inclusive) will be considered where themagnitude, complexity or public benefit of the project issuch that additional funding would be beneficial.

Application form and guideline for Round 8 Envirofundwill be available when this funding round opens later thisyear (the date has not been announced as yet).

The types of projects which will be considered forfunding are those which will achieve one or more of theTrust’s 10 areas of activity and fall within the

Envirofund’s eligible activities (refer to guidelines). TheTrust’s 10 areas of activity, are:

1. protecting and restoring the habitat of threatenedspecies, threatened ecological communities andmigratory birds.;

2. reversing the long-term decline in the extent andquality of Australia’s native vegetation;

3. protecting and restoring significant freshwater,marine and estuarine ecosystems;

4. preventing or controlling the introduction andspread of feral animals, aquatic pests, weeds andother biological threats to biodiversity;

5. establishing and effectively managing acomprehensive, adequate and representative systemof protected areas;

6. improving the condition of natural resources thatunderpin the sustainability and productivity ofresource based industries;

7. securing access to natural resources for productivepurposes;

8. encouraging the development of sustainable andprofitable management systems for application bylandholders and other natural resource managers andusers;

9. providing landholders, community groups and othernatural resource managers with understanding andskills to contribute to biodiversity conservation andsustainable natural resource management; and

10. establishing institutional and organisationalframeworks that promote conservation andecologically sustainable use and management ofnatural resources.

For further information and copies of the applicationguidelines and application form (when they becomeavailable), go to the website www.nht.gov.au/envirofund.Or copies of the guide and application can be requestedby phoning 1800 065 823, or for further informationcontact 1800 303 863.

*The Tasmanian Landcare Association is a non-government, independent association of Landcare,Coastcare, Bushcare, Waterwatch and ‘Friends of’ groupsin Tasmania. A listing of community groups in your areacan be looked up on their web site at www.taslandcare.org.au.

Additionally, the Tasmanian Landcare Associationwebsite provides regular updates on funding schemesavailable, go to www.taslandcare.org.au/pages/members/members_frame.html.

For further information contact the Tasmanian LandcareAssociation Inc. office, phone (03) 6234 7117.


Fungi Down Under by Pat and Ed Grey. Fungimap,Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, 2005, 146 pp.Paperback ISBN 064644674-6 $29.95 RRP

Fungi Down Under written by Pat and Ed Grey andpublished by Fungimap includes photographs, descriptionsand distribution records of the 100 Fungimap ‘target’species, as well as other information relevant to the studyof larger fungi.

This field guide had its genesis in the Fungimap project, ascheme to map 100 easily identifiable species of mushroomsand other fungi using information sent in by volunteerrecorders. Thus far, the Compendium of Fungimap TargetSpecies (CDROM) has been the only resource thatcontains information about all the target species.

The immediate appeal of this book lies in its design andlayout, and full credit should go to Leon Costermans foroverseeing its production. Each species is assigned a page,with one photograph indicating the diagnostic features ofthe fruit body and another showing typical habitat.Detailed descriptions of the fungus, typical substrate, habit,habitat, main fruiting period and “look-alikes” are alsoincluded.

The maps are a first for a fungi book in Australia. To someextent they will, like any other mapping project whichrelies on information sent in by volunteers, reflect thedistribution and favourite foraying sites of fungimappers.However, these maps, based on over 20,000 records, arevaluable for a number of reasons. Firstly, anyonecontributing to the project will appreciate seeing that theirrecord lodged at Fungimap central (housed at the RoyalBotanic Gardens, Melbourne) has resulted in a red dot onthe map. It is also useful to know if a species is often orrarely seen, and if it is likely to occur in a particularlocation. For instance, fungi recorded in southern Tasmaniawould probably also occur in the north of the state - am Isimply overlooking them?

Appendices include a glossary of technical terms, which inthis book have been kept to a minimum, a list ofalternative names of species, and the pronunciation ofscientific names. Appendix 4, which includes thederivation of scientific names, is my favourite. Knowingthe meanings of the Latin, Greek and the one Aboriginalname invariably stimulates interesting discussion in thefield and is a useful mnemonic. Appendix 5 lists books,field guides, specialised literature, general articles aboutfungi and fungi related web sites. The colour chart is usefulfor people wanting to describe fruit bodies and the ruler onthe end page is invaluable – every field guide should haveone!

The two pages of credits encapsulate so much about theFungimap project and this beautifully presented book istestament to the generosity of its many contributors. Theseinclude senior mycologist at RBG, Melbourne, andconvenor of Fungimap, Dr Tom May, the mycologists whoproof read the text, the various coordinators, volunteersand the many photographers who contributed their work. Ihave no hesitation in recommending this book to any keenfield naturalist, and feel proud to be associated withFungimap.

NB: The Fungimap book is not being sold through thebookshops, but is available from Sarah. Contact details:999 Denmans Road, Birralee, 7303, Ph: 03 6396 1380,email [email protected]

TTwo Fungi book rwo Fungi book reviews by Sarah Lloydeviews by Sarah LloydA Field Guide to Australian Fungi by Bruce Fuhrer.Blooming Books Pty Ltd, Melbourne 2005. Octavo,paperback, 360 pp., colour photographs. ISBN 1-876473-51-7 RRP $49.95

It’s currently peak fungus season in northern Tasmania andsince receiving Bruce Fuhrer’s beautiful new book, I haveconsulted it daily.

A Field Guide to Australian Fungi is an ambitious project. It isthe culmination of many decades of field work and study andincludes descriptions and photographs of over 500 species.Many of the photographs have appeared previously in AField Companion to Australian Fungi (Fuhrer 1993) andRainforest Fungi of Tasmania and South-East Australia (Fuhrer& Robinson, 1992), but there are additional species andmuch of the text has been revised and extended to includedescriptions of some of the microscopic features of fungi.

Many Australian fungi were originally named because oftheir resemblance to northern hemisphere species, butrecent taxonomic work has found them to be distinct. Thishas resulted in name changes that I know many naturalistsfind exasperating. For me, however, it reflects an importantscientific process and a growing knowledge of theseorganisms. Nonetheless, a new book on Australian fungishould help to clarify identification, not lead to moreconfusion. While it would be near impossible to include allprevious names ascribed to a species (Melanotus hepatochrous,for example, has 14 synonyms) one would expect theinclusion of those names used in the author’s previous books.These omissions, the occasionally confusing layout and themisidentification of the fungus on the front cover suggest ahasty production.

I was disappointed that the book does not assign eachspecies to a family. When I first ‘discovered’ fungi, beingable to place a genus in a family enabled me to make senseof the overwhelming number of fungi I was encountering. Ialso found the brief descriptions of the sub-genera of theCortinariaceae family, the Hygrophoraceae family and thegenera Entoloma and Mycena in Rainforest Fungi of Tasmaniaand south eastern Australia particularly useful. It may havebeen more helpful to include this information rather thanmany pages of photographs of yet to be named species.

Technical terms are used throughout the text and drawingsof spores, cystidia and basidia are included on the endpapers. I find such information invaluable. Every taxon hasits jargon and learning this language is, for me, part of thejourney towards further understanding.

There are numerous field guides to the birds or plants ofAustralia, but no definitive field guide to fungi, primarilybecause many species are yet to be formally identified andnamed. For amateur mycologists, this can be both frustratingand challenging and most recognise the need to have asmany books as possible. This is the most comprehensivephotographic field guide to have been published so far inAustralia and thus is an extremely worthwhile addition toany natural history library.

References:Fuhrer, B.A. (1993) A field companion to Australian fungi.The Field Naturalists Club of Victoria, Melbourne

Fuhrer, B.A & Robinson, R (1992) Rainforest fungi ofTasmania and South-east Australia CSIRO & ForestryCommission, Tasmania, Melbourne.

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne fungi site:http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/plant_science/fungi


Books for Plant Identification1. Native Trees of Tasmania J.B.

Kirkpatrick and Sue Backhouse[A great beginners’ book, inprint since 1985, cleardrawings.]

2. The Eucalypts of TasmaniaMary Page [Lovely paintings ofeucalypts, may be difficult to usefor identification on its own.]

3. Tasforests Vol. 8 ForestryTasmania [This issue from Dec.1996 concentrates on eucalyptidentification and distribution.A very useful resource. Out ofprint but available free of chargeon CD : In person at ForestryTasmania, 79 Melville St,Hobart. Or phone : 6233 8140]

4. Tasmania’s Natural FloraJenny Whiting, Jill Roberts,Ricky Reeves, Frank and VerityTayler [A new book, expensiveat $75, but a must for the non-botanist. Lots of photoscovering most plant families(except orchids, grasses andferns), low on description.]

5. A Guide to Flowers and Plantsof Tasmania Launceston FieldNaturalist Club [A generalguide with photos and great

descriptions. Many reprints.]6. Tasmanian Streambank Plants

- a guide to common plantsalong streams Rae Glazik andMichael Askey-Doran [Includespropagation techniques. Lovelydrawings by Laura Black. Not inshops, but available free ofcharge : Email [email protected] or phone :6233 6427]

7. The Nature of the MidlandsLouise Gilfedder, JamieKirkpatrick, Annie and HansWapstra [Includes oral historiesof landholders. A must if youlive in the midlands but thesuperior quality of the brilliantphotos of 15% of Tasmania’splants gives us all an excuse tobuy it! Lots of grassland species.Photos organised by flowercolour.]

8. Common Grasses of Tasmania: An Agriculturalists’ GuidePeter Lane, Dennis Morris andGillian Shannon [A fantasticstarter book. If you want toidentify grasses beyond thisbook it will be a hard slog! SeeCurtis 4B]

9. The Orchids of TasmaniaDavid Jones, Hans Wapstra,Peter Tonelli and StephenHarris (The Miegunyah Press atMelbourne University Press) [Aspecialist text but the photosmake it accessible for us meremortals.]

10. The Ferns of Tasmania : theirecology and distributionMichael Garrett [Compre-hensive. Includes anidentification key and photos.]

11. One Hundred Islands : TheFlora of the Outer FurneauxStephen Harris, Alex Buchananand Amy Connolly [A beautifuland comprehensive book. Greatfor coastal plant identification.]

12. The Student’s Flora ofTasmania (several books)Winifred M. Curtis [A specialisttext. Lots of scientific jargonand not many illustrations.Essential for the botanist ordedicated amateur naturalist.Not expensive. Many reprints.]

Therese SmithN.B. Most of these books are self-published and as a result can bequickly out of print.

Understorey Network Spring Growing Season

The understorey is an essential part of our bush. It provides habitat for a range of native animals, birds and insects, aswell as protecting the soil from erosion, preventing invasion by weeds, and providing the essential link to ensure thehealthy functioning of natural ecosystems.

The Understorey Network runs a Growers Scheme, where potting soil, tubes and seeds are provided to volunteergrowers to grow plants either for themselves or for others. Members can also request up to 250 understorey plants,provided there is a grower available to grow them.

You may be interested in attending a native plant propagation workshops, as follows:

Royal Botanical GardensWednesday, 31st of August, 10am – 12 noon.

Northern TAFE campus at Alanvale (horticulture nursery area)Saturday, 3rd of September, 10am – 12noon.

Tasmanian Arboretum at EugenanaTuesday, 20th of September, 11am – 1pm.

If you are interested in being a part of this hands-on scheme and/or attending a workshop, contact Ruth Mollison theUnderstorey Network Project Manager on (03) 6223 6377 or email: [email protected]


*North East Bioregional Network Conference“Linking Landscapes”22nd October 2005 at the Forum Cinema, St Helens.This conference will include a range of speakers talking about the importance of connectivity in the landscape and theimplementation of these principles in conservation planning (e.g. Wild Country Project). Emeritus Professor MichaelSoulé from the USA who initiated the Wildlands Project in the USA will be speaking. Contact Todd Dudley,63761049*Join in a walk at the Winifred Curtis Reserve. 23rd October 2005. Anyone interested in attending please contactTodd Dudley, 63761049. Numbers on this walk are limited, so book early to avoid missing out.

MEMEMBEMBERRS PS PAAGEGE

To LFWers in the Bagdad areaAs new Land for Wildlife property owners, we would love to meet up with other LFWers in our greater area(we're out at Bagdad). Things that we could do together might be:

• visit each other's properties to enjoy them, get to know each other and form a social network. We'd love tosee what others are doing with their properties, and enjoy the native bush they are helping to protect, andshare our own property's experience in return. Perhaps we could start an 'open LFW property' scheme, just askeen gardeners have the 'open garden' program.

• share knowledge and experience relating to things like weed management, identifying native species, andimproving habitat

• work together on funding applications to get that little bit of extra cash to tackle big jobs like fencing,revegetation and weeding.

If you would like to meet up, feel free to give us (Imogen and Lori) a call : 03 6268 6413, and we'd be happy toorganise something.

Welcome to the inaugural page just for you. We’d like to provide a forum for you to contact each other and set upregional networks. In the future we hope to provide this via the internet. But ‘til then … we’d like to have your inputon any issue you feel is important or interesting. Problems you may be having (cats?), amazing encounters withwildlife, photos of wildlife fences or cages around your garden, anything you think will be helpful or interesting forother LFWers.

We also think that Imogen and Lori’s idea of an “Open Land For Wildlife” scheme (see below) is a great one. If youwould be willing to hold an open day on your property, let us know. We will advertise your chosen date, name, areaand phone number in the next newsletter. We would need your submission by 24th October 2005.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Would you like to hold a bird walk on your property? Sarah Lloyd has kindly offered to lead a bird walk onsomeone’s land. If you would like to learn more about the birds on your property and wouldn’t mindinviting other LFWers along, please let us know on 6233 6427 or email : [email protected]

A new national program aimed at conserving forests onprivate land will begin operation in mid-2006.

The Forest Conservation Fund (FCF) was announced aspart of the Tasmanian Community Forest Agreementbetween the State and Federal Governments.

The FCF will establish a market-based program focusedon protecting over 45,000 hectares of old growth forestsand under-reserved forest communities of highconservation value.

It will involve a system of bidding, with landownersasked to nominate the dollar value of managing theirland for conservation (usually by registering a perpetualcovenant on their land title, or selling their landoutright).

Another new program directed at conservation onprivate land will also be established within theDepartment of Primary Industries, Water and

Environment. Details of this Private Property VegetationConservation program will be made available shortly.

The Private Forest Reserves Program will cease on 30 June2006. In the meantime it will continue to work with theexisting 230 landowners in its system to finalise as manycovenants as possible. However, it will not take on anynew landowners.

“The partnerships that the PFRP has developed withTasmanian landowners will continue into the future,”said PFRP Manager, Dr Steven Smith. “The long-termconservation of significant forested areas on private landremains the focal point of the PFRP at this time. This isalso at the centre of the new programs that will replace itin 2006.” “The Tasmanian Government is committed toongoing support for landowners with conservationcovenants” he said.

Stephen Smith and Bronwen HayesPrivate Forest Reserves Program, DPIWE

NEW PROGRAMS IN 2006


Land for WildlifeContactsLFW State CoordinatorIona MitchellCommunity Partnerships SectionDPIWEPh: (03) 6233 6427Fax: (03) 6223 8603Email: [email protected]

LFW AssistantTherese SmithCommunity Partnerships SectionDPIWEPh: (03) 6233 6427Fax: (03) 6223 8603Email: [email protected]

Back issues (volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) of the Land forWildlife News are now available. If you would like a copy ofthese early editions, please contact Iona Mitchell at the addressprovided.

Please contact the authors before reproducing material from this newsletter.The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the policies of the Land for Wildlife Program or the Department of Primary Industries,Water and Environment.

If undelivered return to:Land for WildlifePO Box 44, Hobart, Tas 7001Phone: (03) 6233 6427Fax: (03) 6223 8603Email: [email protected]

Land for Wildlife Program: Vision, Mission and Goals1. Vision• Land owners and land managers integrate the principles and practices of nature conservation into overall land

management.

2. MissionLand for Wildlife encourages and facilitates voluntary nature conservation by:

• building on existing community networks;• sharing information and learning;• supporting and recognising land owners and managers; and• having nature conservation principles put into practice on unreserved land.

3. GoalsLong term and medium term

1. Nature Conservation principles are applied and practices are integrated with overall land management.2. Land for Wildlife contributes to ecologically, economically and socially sustainable property management.3. Land for Wildlife contributes to a healthy and diverse ecosystem.4. Information is gathered and shared, learning about managing for nature conservation on unreserved land is facilitated.

Immediate5. Existing community networks are involved and expanded.6. There is broad community participation in Land for Wildlife.7. Adequate resources are provided to the Land for Wildlife program.8. Land owners and land managers are given support and their voluntary contributions to nature conservation on

unreserved land are recognised.9. The numbers of land owners and land managers participating in Land for Wildlife increase.10.There are adequate distribution of and connections between native habitats managed for nature conservation to ensure

viability of populations of native plants and animals.11.A comprehensive, integrated database of information is established, maintained and is accessible.

Source: Land for Wildlife (Tasmania) Implementation Plan 1998

EventsUnderstorey Network native plant propagation workshops dates and places, as follows:Aug 31 Royal Botanical Gardens, 10 am – 12 noon.Sept 3 Nthn TAFE campus, Alanvale (horticulture nursery area) 10 am – 12 NoonSept 20 Tasmanian Arboretum at Eugenana, 11 am – 1 pm.

For more information contact: Ruth Mollison (Understorey Network ProjectManager) (03) 6223 6377or Email: [email protected]

Oct 4 Closing date of Australian Governement Water Fund – COMMUNITYWATER GRANTS. For more information contact: Community WaterGrants Freecall line on 1800 780 730 between 9.00 am – 4.00 pm, Mondayto Friday, or website www.communitywatergrants.gov.au

Oct 13-14 1st Tasmanian Weed Conference “A decade of change – a celebration of the10 yr anniversary of the Tasmanian Weed Society. Launceston Tram ShedsFunction Centre. For more information contact: Ph: (03) 6421 7654,email: [email protected], or website www.tasweeds.org

Oct 22 North East Bioregional Network Conference, “Linking Landscapes” atthe Forum Cinema, St Helens. For more information contact:Todd Dudley (03) 6376 1049

Oct 23 Join in a walk at the Winifred Curtis Reserve. Numbers on this walk arelimited, so book early to avoid missing out. For more information contact:Todd Dudley (03) 6376 1049

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