WINTER 2020 NL 62 - Tasmanian Land Conservancy
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WINTER 2020
NL 62
kunanyi/Mt Wellington from Lutregala Marsh. Photo: Andy Townsend
The last few months have been time exploring Tinderbox Hills with some perform critical invasive species and
challenging for many. With restrictions TLC supporters, including long-term access management across key areas,
now easing across the country, we can supporter and eucalypt expert, Emeritus keeping on top of ongoing threats. We
reflect not just on how difficult it is to Professor Brad Potts. I am continually couldn’t do it without the inventiveness,
not physically be in nature, but also on inspired by the connection the TLC flexibility and dedication of the TLC staff,
the opportunity isolation has provided community has to the places we work to and in this newsletter we are thrilled
to experience nature in different ways. protect. In this newsletter, Brad shares to introduce you to some new team
By slowing down we notice our shared his connection to Tinderbox Hills and the members. Among them is our volunteer
humanity and the importance of being importance of the area for conservation. caretaker at Rubicon Sanctuary, Alison
connected to our community. For Thank you to everyone who has Roach. We are so pleased to have Alison
some people, the stillness and time contributed so far to the protection of involved in the day-to-day management
has heightened our observations – the this special patch of Tasmania. of this significant property.
radiant colours of the Autumn leaves,
the sound of birdsong. It’s provided an Our Science and Reserves Management From all of us at the TLC we send our
opportunity to reflect on what nature teams have been out across our estate, well wishes to you during these difficult
means to us and the importance of ensuring essential activities continue. times and thank you for your loyal
ensuring it lasts. The teams have been monitoring fire support of our conservation efforts.
recovery across our Five Rivers Reserve We look forward to coming together
Despite the limitations of travel and to better understand impacts from again to enjoy Tasmania’s wild places
social gatherings, the Tasmanian Land the 2019 fires and inform ongoing while working to protect nature for the
Conservancy (TLC) team has adapted management. While some programs long-term.
well and continued to deliver across have been rescheduled or adapted,
our conservation programs. Before the much of our management is carried out James Hattam
COVID-19 restrictions took hold, I spent in isolation, which means we can still Chief Executive Officer
HIGHLIGHTS
Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii). Photo: Matthew Newton Sun orchid (Thelymitra ixioides). Photo: Phill Laroche Cider gum seedlings. Photo: Rowena Hamer
Page 2 Page 3 Page 4
Tinderbox is home to endemic animals Read about Rubicon Sanctuary’s first Find out how Five Rivers Reserve’s
and an inspiration to scientists. volunteer caretaker. cider gums are returning after fire.
TINDERBOX:
INSPIRING
SCIENCE
Blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) blossoms. Photo: Andy Townsend
Tinderbox Hills, right on Hobart’s natural world and set him on the path to monitoring. Our thanks to everyone
doorstep, is a truly special place. scientific discovery and his life’s work. who has contributed so far. It might take
The TLC has looked longingly at this He told us: a while, but we are looking forward to
property for many years now, and we hitting our total and declaring Tinderbox
are delighted that we finally have the ‘In Tasmania, we have a magnificent Hills a reserve. It will be a place where
chance to protect it as a reserve. natural laboratory on our doorstep. Tasmanians will have the chance to be
There is so much we still don’t know inspired, enlightened and, perhaps, set
Tinderbox Hills has an incredibly rich about nature – even the species we on their life’s journey.
mix of habitats brimming with wildlife, live among. We are sitting right in the
from the canopy tops to the deep gullies. middle of the natural range of one of
The towering blue gums (Eucalyptus the world's globally significant eucalypts WHO LIVES ON
globulus) on the property had a superb – the Tasmanian blue gum – which has
flowering season over the summer, the been my science passion. TINDERBOX HILLS?
branches heavy with blossoms and with In April, TLC’s Senior Conservation
swift parrots (Lathamus discolor) feeding. ‘This magnificent tree is important Ecologist Matt Taylor installed some
Now that the cold weather has arrived, swift parrot habitat and abounds in the
wildlife monitoring cameras at Tinderbox
the swifties and their young have headed Tinderbox Hills, where several of our Hills to give us a night-time view of the
north for winter on the mainland. studies have been undertaken. These
hills form the backdrop to the Tinderbox property. While we know the woodland is
Of course, Tinderbox Hills isn’t just Marine Reserve – overlooking Bruny home to swift parrots (Lathamus discolor)
special to us at the TLC. It’s also special Island, the mouth of the River Derwent and forty-spotted pardalotes (Pardalotus
to local residents. Last newsletter we and the northern entrance to the quadragintus), we were keen to get a look
included some reminiscences from Diana renowned D’Entrecasteaux Channel. at the resident nocturnal marsupials.
Hale, who grew up on the property that
‘With increasing pressure from The results were very pleasing.
encompassed Tinderbox Hills. This time
development, the TLC property There were, or course, pademelons
we’ve been talking with UTAS Emeritus
represents a significant southern (Thylogale billardierii) and Bennetts
Professor, Brad Potts, who also spent
extension of the conservation areas in wallabies (Notamacropus rufogriseus).
his early years among the peninsula’s
these hills, protecting the old-growth But we also saw both southern brown
woodlands.
eucalypt forests and their dependent (Isoodon obesulus) and eastern barred
Professor Potts is a world expert on species. However, places like Tinderbox (Perameles gunnii) bandicoots, potoroos
eucalypt genetics and a long-time TLC Hills aren’t just important for the (Potorous tridactylus) and bettongs
supporter. He works on the evolutionary species that live there – they connect (Bettongia gaimadi). And we now know
processes that have shaped eucalypts’ people to nature, they inspire people of two or three Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus
natural diversity, as well as providing all generations. Protecting such places is harrisii) live on the property too.
research to support the planting of of the utmost importance for so
eucalypts for fibre, wood production many reasons.’
and environmental benefits. His GIVE
decades of research have increased our Our fundraising target for this
understanding of these building blocks magnificent property currently stands Donate now to make Tinderbox
of the Australian landscape. at just over $1,000,000. This includes Hills a safe home for Tasmania’s
the purchase price and acquisition endemic wildlife. Visit tasland.org.au/
Growing up on the Tinderbox Peninsula, costs, and a contribution to the TLC donate-now, or call the office on
with forests and woodlands in his Foundation endowment to fund ongoing
backyard, fuelled Brad’s love for the reserve management and ecological 03 6225 1399.
2
RUBICON
CARETAKER
At home at Rubicon Sanctuary. Photo: Heath Holden Superb fairy wren (Malurus cyaneus). Photo: Peter Vaughan
Rubicon Sanctuary is a rare gem on
the central north coast of Tasmania.
‘Each day caretaking at Rubicon
reveals something new that I find
LAND FOR
With the support of various orchid “fills my cup”. Today it was sighting WILDLIFE UPDATE
experts, the TLC was able to secure the first scarlet robin here for the
this 20-hectare remnant of natural cooler months. Another day it was the The TLC is excited to now be delivering the
coastal vegetation in 2004 and it flock of yellow-tailed black cockatoos Land for Wildlife program. Across the state,
became the TLC’s first Revolving snacking on the banksias. It is the Land for Wildlife property owners make
Fund property. Phil Collier and Robin sound of frogs increasing as the lovely an enormous contribution to private land
conservation, managing significant areas
Garnett purchased the covenanted land rain we have had replenishes the soil
that include critical habitat for threatened
from us in 2008 and named it Rubicon and the bush, marvelling at the force
species. Since early 2019, Land for Wildlife
Sanctuary. Their careful management with which the large fungi push up
has been in transition to the TLC. We are
practices conserved one of Tasmania’s through the soil, and being on my grateful to DPIPWE for the opportunity to
biodiversity hotspots, with 60 different knees searching for orchid leaves run the program and we thank the existing
orchid species, including the critically and flowers.’ members who have opted to continue their
endangered marsh leek orchid involvement.
(Prasophyllum limnetes), which is Having a caretaker on site has
found nowhere else on earth. been hugely beneficial for the TLC, Unfortunately, like most organisations,
particularly one as committed, our activities have been affected by the
Phil and Robin have returned to the enthusiastic and effective as Alison. COVID-19 restrictions and we have been
UK and very generously decided to She has been taking care of the day- unable to visit landholders or assess new
donate the property back to the TLC. to-day activities, including mowing, properties for Land for Wildlife membership.
In November, we engaged Rubicon’s fence maintenance and track clearing. We are taking enquiries; however, there is a
first volunteer caretaker, a rolling Alison is also helping with orchid waitlist.
position for six months (with the monitoring, continuing the good work When restrictions ease we look forward
possibility of an additional six months). of Robin and Phil. to holding regional Land for Wildlife field
days and meeting members in person.
Alison Roach, the current caretaker, In 2021, we are looking forward to These events will be an opportunity to hear
tells the TLC: conducting mosaic burning on the from conservation experts and other local
‘From receiving the TLC email property to support orchid growth, landholders and to share stories, knowledge
highlighting a need for a caretaker another practice instituted by and experiences.
for Rubicon Sanctuary, to now having Robin and Phil. As well as involving In the meantime, we are developing a survey
been here for six months, has been Alison, this burn will be a chance for with the University of Tasmania so we can
a wonderful privilege for which I trained TLC staff to put their fire better understand the interests of Land for
have been grateful. I continue to be management skills into practice. Wildlife members and the support they’d
awed, inspired and humbled by the like through the program. If you’re a Land
commitment of Robin and Phil to this ACT for Wildlife member and you opted in during
the transition from DPIPWE, look out for the
land, and their generosity in passing its
ongoing care to TLC. I grew up locally If you would like to hear when survey in the next few weeks.
and I have observed the rate at which we’re recruiting Rubicon’s next If you are a Land for Wildlife member
the subdivisions are encroaching on the caretaker, please register your and you didn’t confirm to continue in the
surrounding landscape. To be able to interest by contacting Phill Laroche, program, but would like to maintain your
play my part in caring for what is such a membership, please contact Emma McPhee,
plaroche@tasland.org.au Land for Wildlife and Engagement Systems
precious remnant of coastal vegetation
is the realisation of a long-held dream.’ Coordinator on emcphee@tasland.org.au
3
AFTER THE FIRE:
FIVE RIVERS
Cider gums being caged, shortly after the January 2019 bushfires. Photo: Heath Holden
It’s been almost 18 months since the regrowth volume on average, though trees get bigger and converting them
Great Pine Tier fire ripped through the difference was only statistically to floppy tops where possible to keep
the TLC’s Five Rivers Reserve in the significant for larger stems. herbivores out. We will also repeat
Central Highlands, and we’ve just our measurements to determine
completed our second round of post- Our data also showed that browsing whether caging has any long-term
fire monitoring surveys. TLC staff pressure was greater outside than benefits for the survival, growth and
and volunteers are currently wading inside the cages – which is what we reproduction of the trees, to help
through great piles of fauna images were aiming for, so our volunteers can
and data and we don’t expect them to guide future management of the
take a bough (sorry, couldn’t resist). species throughout its range.
surface for some time.
Trees inside the cages still showed
In the meantime, though, we can signs of being eaten by insects, but Rowena Hamer
give you an update on the fate of no mammal browsing, and the overall Conservation Ecologist
the reserve’s cider gums (Eucalyptus amount of biomass lost was less.
What is interesting, though, is that
gunnii). Some of you may remember
that last winter saw a group of hardy herbivory was extremely low overall: CIDER GUM
volunteers out at the reserve installing 90% of caged stems and 52% of FAST FACTS
cages to protect the young regrowth, uncaged stems had less than 5%
which was being eaten faster than it biomass removed, which is in huge · Cider gums are endemic
could grow. contrast to what we saw over winter. to Tasmania.
It’s now six months later, and 32 of the There are a couple of possible · Cider gums’ sugary sap acts
34 cages installed contain at least one explanations for the low browsing as antifreeze through long,
cider gum seedling or regrowth sapling. pressure: firstly, populations of cold winters.
One cage which was placed under the herbivores may have declined due to
· Tasmanian Aboriginal people
canopy of a fallen tree contains 30 the fire and subsequent lack of food.
traditionally tap cider gum
seedlings within only 2.25m2! We didn’t see any sign of this from
sap to make a fermented drink.
Even better (possibly not from the our fauna monitoring immediately
point of view of the volunteers) is after the fire last year, but this year’s · Being adapted to cold and wet
that with the warmer weather, new camera data is still being processed. conditions makes cider gums very
seedlings and regrowth are emerging Secondly, there are currently huge vulnerable to a hotter, drier climate.
outside the cages as well. areas of post-fire regeneration: more
than 5,000 ha on Five Rivers alone,
Data collected from the cages and meaning that herbivores are spoilt for
nearby regrowth shows that caging choice when it comes to tasty young EXPLORE
did give the trees inside a head-start green things. This means herbivory We’ll be publishing a longer
on the growing season. We compared on cider gums may increase in version of this article on our
similar sized trees inside and out of the future years. blog, In Our Nature, in coming
cages, as larger trees have more energy
reserves so can grow faster and put Because of this, we’ll continue to weeks, complete with graphs
out more shoots. Comparisons showed check in with the cider gums as they and discussion of sub-species.
that those inside the cages had larger grow, removing the cage tops as the Keep an eye out if you enjoy data!
4
SPOT THE
STRIPES
Eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii). Photo: Henry Cook Cath Dickson. Photo: Eddie Safarik
Small and scampering, and reliant
on good vegetation cover for their
bandicoot numbers. They are now a
nationally threatened species, with
TLC PEOPLE
survival, eastern barred bandicoots no naturally occurring populations on In the past few months, we have
(Peremeles gunnii) are finding fewer mainland Australia and significantly welcomed two new staff members
and fewer places in Tasmania where reduced distribution in Tasmania. to the TLC.
they can safely live. Observational records and anecdotal
Cath Dickson is now our Conservation
evidence however, suggest they may
To help conserve these small, Management & Planning Coordinator,
occur in the central north of Tasmania
thylacine-striped marsupials, the a new position that builds a link
on the East and West Tamar and in the
TLC is partnering with NRM North in between the Science and Reserves
Northern Midlands.
an exciting project funded through teams. Cath comes to us from the
the Federal Government’s National The cameras are finding eastern Nature Glenelg Trust in South Australia,
Landcare Program, to record and map barred bandicoots in a variety of sites where she was the Senior Threatened
their distribution and improve habitat – from remnant bush near Carrick Species Ecologist. She has 15 years’
across the West Tamar and Northern and formal gardens in Westbury experience working in natural resource
Midlands regions. Landowners are key to the open plains of Evandale, in and threatened species management
to this project – we’ve been getting woodland and edges of forest on the in regional South Australia and
them involved in the WildTracker West Tamar and gardens of Legana. Victoria, for government and NGOs.
monitoring program, training them Confirmed locations are usually close She recently completed her PhD at
to operate remote sensor cameras to dense, low vegetation cover which Monash University on the response of
and gather data on their land. may be native tussocks and sedges, a dominant threatened plant to climate
Through the project, we provide garden grevilleas, bracken fern and change on Macquarie Island. Cath
management advice and financial blackberries or gorse clumps, all of absolutely loves native orchids.
support for revegetation and fencing which offer protection from predators
so landowners can protect and and weather. Their diggings are found Jarrah Vercoe is the TLC’s new
rehabilitate bandicoot habitat. This in soft, moist soils in mown lawns, Revolving Fund Coordinator. Jarrah
also benefits the long nosed potoroo, roadsides and paddocks. Diggings do has a great deal of experience across a
southern brown bandicoot, spotted- not last long – you might see a small range of projects in the areas of natural
tail quoll, eastern quoll and Tasmanian scratching with tiny piles of soil for resource management, stakeholder
devil as well as birds, reptiles and a few days then they are blown over engagement and project management,
invertebrates. The project will or filled in by rain. Bandicoots are most recently as the Senior
connect existing vegetation remnants recognised ‘ecosystem engineers’, Environmental Assessment Officer
and reserves across the landscape. contributing to nutrient cycling, soil at EPA Tasmania. He loves Tasmania’s
health and seed germination, among natural places and wants to do work
Eastern barred bandicoots were that results in long term environmental,
many other processes of ecosystem
once widespread across the social and economic benefits.
function. Improving their habitat
Tasmanian Midlands in their preferred
is not only helping this species to
habitat of grasslands and grassy Both Cath and Jarrah have started at a
survive but many others too.
woodlands. The loss of these places tricky time, with our offices closed and
to agriculture, the introduction If you’d like to get involved, many staff working from home. They’ve
of predators – humans, cats and contact Helen Morgan at done an admirable job of learning the
dogs – and habitat loss through the hmorgan@tasland.org.au ropes despite being distanced from the
drying and heating effects of climate rest of the team and we’re very pleased
Helen Morgan
change have seriously diminished they have joined us.
Conservation Programs Ecologist
5
WHAT’S ON
TLC’s Gordonvale Reserve. Photo: Grant Dixon Native indigo (Indigofera australis). Photo: Andy Townsend
Tasmanian Land Conservancy
NATURAL GUARDIANS INFO PO Box 2112 Lower Sandy Bay
Leaving a gift to the TLC in your will is one of the most powerful and lasting Tasmania 7005
ways you can help protect nature in Tasmania, forever. This year we’re Ph +61 3 6225 1399
presenting a series of online clips and resources for people who are thinking www.tasland.org.au
about creating a legacy that reflects their values. Look out for the email bulletin ABN 88 743 606 934
coming soon or contact Planned Giving Coordinator, Sophie Marshall on
smarshall@tasland.org.au for more information. @tas_land
@taslandconservancy
@tasland
FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA Taslandconservancy
While current restrictions have affected reserve visitation, volunteering
and TLC events, we’ve been using our social media accounts to fill some of the BOARD MEMBERS:
gaps. For reserve videos and photos, online events and stories from the field,
follow us on Facebook (@taslandconservancy), Instagram (@tasland) and Ms Jennie Churchill (Chair)
Twitter (@Tas_Land). Mr Julian von Bibra (Vice Chair)
Mr Peter Cosier
Mr Peter Downie
Ms Erika Korosi
OTHER NEWS Prof Ted Lefroy
Ms Clare Bower
How stimulating! A plan for the environment and jobs Mr Nathan Males
Coming together is more important now than ever. Over the last few months, Mr Mark Temple-Smith
the wider land sector and our colleagues at the Australian Land Conservation Dr Ian Cresswell
Alliance have been working together. With over 80 state and national Mr Stephen Atkinson
Prof Jan McDonald
conservation, environmental and agricultural groups, the TLC has contributed
to a COVID-19 combined federal and state economic stimulus proposal. Chief Executive Officer
The $4 billion plan, led by the Pew Charitable Trusts, would provide much needed James Hattam
investment in conservation and land management across the country, and provide
jobs for 24,000 people. Conservation activities would include weed and pest
control, coastal and river restoration, revegetation, habitat recovery, ecological
monitoring, funding for Indigenous rangers and more.
Recent submissions
While the TLC remains apolitical, we do advocate for strong protections of our
natural values through legislative and planning mechanisms. To read our recent
submission on the 10-year review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act, and our position on the state-wide planning scheme and local
council zoning reviews, see tasland.org.au/about-the-tlc/tlc-submissions/
6
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