cradle to coastlines
CRADLE TO COASTLINES IN THIS ISSUE Page 3 THREATENED ORCHIDS IN THE APCA Page 4 MOTH TRACKER Page 5 SLOW DOWN FOR DEVILS Page 5 LANDCARE AWARD NOMINATIONS Page 6 CLAWS ON THE LINE Page 7 UPDATED PLANTING GUIDES Page 7 BEETAS IS LIVE Page 8 TREES ARE BECOMING AN INCREASINGLY POLITICAL ISSUE Page 10 GIVE SPANISH HEATH THE HEAVE Page 11 SPOT THE WEEDS BEFORE THEY SEED!
Competition in the air: A pair of Blue-winged Parrots who were inspecting a hollow were then chased by a Swift Parrot that went on to examine the same cavity. More on Page 19
Page 11 MEANWHILE, AT MOUND ROLAND Page 11 WEEDSCAN LAUNCHED Page 12 MAUGEAN SKATE SCULPTURES INSTALLED Page 13 THREE HUMMOCK ISLAND Page 14 IT MAY BE SILLY SEASON, BUT LET’S BE WILDLIFE SMART
Front cover: Images from Kelcey Tier Extinction Matters BioBlitz 2023 Full story on Page 18.
Page 15 ANNUAL TIA FORTHSIDE FIELD DAY A SUCCESS Page 16 GAUNTS FARM BIENNIAL OPEN DAY Page 17 TASMANIAN AGRICULTURE PRODUCTIVITY GROUP (TAPG) FORUM AND AGM Page 18 KELCEY TIER EXTINCTION MATTERS BIOBLITZ 2023 Page 20 BIOSECURITY BASICS Page 20 EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Top Left: Photo Sarah Lloyd Top Right: Photo Kristi Ellingsen Bottom Left: Photo Clare Hawkins Bottom Right: Photo: Peter Crofts. An echidna passed through the proceedings on the Saturday
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THREATENED ORCHIDS IN THE ARTHUR-PIEMAN CONSERVATION AREA These are the beautiful yellow flowers of an endangered orchid, endemic to the Cradle Coast. It is the Large Golden Moth Orchid, Diuris lanceolata, and its stronghold is in the spectacular ArthurPieman Conservation Area (APCA).
Jill and Neale Colgrave have been keeping an eye on this species for several years. In November, peak flowering time, they ran a field trip to count and GPS all the visible flowers.
Diuris lanceaolata
They also caged some to protect them from browsing animals.
Jill and Neale Colgrave caging orchids.
Once the seed capsules have developed, Jill and Neale will return to the caged plants, collect the seeds and send them to the Tasmanian Seed Conservation Centre at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. There, botanists from the Landscape Recovery Foundation will attempt to raise some of the threatened species “in captivity”.
Diuris lanceaolata plus leech!
It’s a tricky process with orchids, since to germinate, the seeds need to be grown with mycorrhizal fungi collected from the same species. It’s a collaborative effort that wouldn’t be possible without dedicated volunteers like the Colgraves. A furry little echidna hiding in the heath.
If you would like to get involved with threatened plant conservation, you can join Threatened Plants Tasmania (TPT). Volunteers can sign up to field trips like this one to survey threatened plants around the state. Did you know that nearly 70% of Tasmania’s 718 listed threatened species are plants? TPT supports their conservation and recovery. To conduct your own orchid hunts, check out this useful guide to Tasmanian orchid flowering times, and keep your eyes peeled; native orchids are usually much smaller than D. lanceolata! TPT volunteers during the survey. p. 3
MOTH TRACKER Zoos Victoria is committed to protecting the Mountain Pygmy-possum and helping the Bogong Moth. Scientists would like to know how many Bogong Moths are migrating to the alps each year. Each spring, Bogong Moths start to migrate up to 1000 km, to Australia's alpine zone. Mountain Pygmypossums also wake up from hibernation, hungry for nutritious Bogong Moths to eat. Bogong Moths usually fly to the possums’ mountain home in the billions, but their numbers have significantly decreased over recent years. This now means the moths are in peril, and there may not be enough food for these tiny possums to raise their young. How you can help: upload a Bogong Moth sighting to Moth Tracker! I
If you see a moth that you think could be one of these special animals, take a photo and upload it to Moth Tracker: https://mothtracker.swifft.net.au Your sightings can help change the future for Critically Endangered Mountain Pygmy-possums and Endangered Bogong Moths. Not sure if the moth you've seen is a Bogong Moth? Upload your photo anyway and the Zoos Victoria team will verify it for you. Here's what to look for: Bogong Moths are small, with a body length of around 2.5 – 3.5 centimetres They have a dark stripe that runs down each wing They have a spot at the top of the stripe that is shaped like a circle They also have a spot at the bottom of the stripe which is shaped like a kidney Both spots are the same colour
Please enjoy this photo of a pair of close cousins of Mountain Pygmypossums...Eastern Pygmy-possums! They were recently photographed in an old swallow nest at a topsecret location on the Cradle Coast. Tasmania is also home to another pygmy possum species, the Tasmanian, or Little Pygmy-possum. Scientists don’t know very much about their population sizes or distributions, but we do know that like many native species, they are vulnerable to feral cat and domestic dog attack, as well as habitat loss.
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SLOW DOWN FOR DEVILS The majority of devil deaths on Tasmanian roads occur between December and March which is typically when young devils are dispersing away from their mothers’ dens to find their own home ranges, making them more vulnerable to road collisions. Research shows that by slowing down from 100 km/hr to 80 km/hr, drivers and wildlife have more time to respond, and roadkill can be reduced by up to 50%.
Image from "Living with Devils" by Simon Plowright
To contribute records of roadkill, use the Roadkill Reporter app. If it is safe to stop, please remove the dead animal from the road to reduce the risk of predators being hit. Check the pouch for young. Injured or orphaned wildlife should be reported to Bonorong Wildlife on 0447 264 625
“Living with Devils” released on ABC iview In a wild and windswept corner of north-west Tasmania, acclaimed film-maker Simon Plowright (famous for the excellent "Quoll Farm" a few years ago) spent a year living with one of the world's last healthy populations of Tasmanian devils to produce the film 'Living with Devils'. Through this film, viewers can experience the "up close and personal" lives of our iconic and unique Tasmanian devils. The new documentary about Woolnorth Tasmanian devils captures breath-taking footage of a family of young devils growing up in the wild northwest Tasmanian landscape. In recent years, Cradle Coast NRM has been a part of the Circular Head Roadkill Mitigation Working Group, aiming to stop Tasmanian devils from being killed on the road in the Woolnorth area where 'Living with Devils' was filmed. This film is a timely reminder to everyone using our roads to slow down and protect our wildlife.
NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN: 2023/2024 STATE & TERRITORY LANDCARE AWARDS Calling all Landcare champions in Tasmania. Nominate yourself, your group or your organisation in various categories that celebrate and acknowledge excellence in sustainable environmental practices. This is an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the outstanding Landcare heroes from urban and rural communities excelling in sustainable agricultural practices, environmental protection, conservation of land and waterways, coastlines and biodiversity. There are new Landcare Award categories including the Climate Innovation, Women, First Nations Landcare Collaboration, NextGen and more! To learn more about the award categories and nominate, visit: (www.landcareawards.org.au.) p. 5
CLAWS ON THE LINE Cradle Coast NRM Project Coordinator Fiona Marshall had a couple of very enjoyable days in midSeptember, helping the Bookend Trust and NatureTrackers deliver their “Claws on the Line” program at Spreyton Primary School (pictured) and Latrobe High School. Students learnt all about the Central North Burrowing Crayfish (Engaeus granulatus). The Central North Burrowing Crayfish is a threatened species under both Tasmanian and Federal legislation. It is found in a roughly rectangular area between the Don River, Narawntapu and Sheffield. Often the only signs of a burrowing crayfish are the “chimneys” made by the excavated pellets of mud from their burrows. Pictured left. Are there any crayfish “chimneys“ in your area? Even if they are unlikely to be Central North Burrowing Crayfish you can help improve the maps for all species by going to: https://naturetrackers.com.au/projects/claws-on-theline/%20and%20completing%20the%20questionnaire. The school activities were led by Dr Clare Hawkins, Associate Professor Alastair Richardson and Fiona. The students undertook some great hands-on activities including: creating a catchment out of coloured materials and identifying potential crayfish habitat across the catchment building the distinctive clay chimneys out of mud that the burrowing crayfish often leave on the surface creating a model of the burrowing crayfish out of natural materials such as wood, bark and leaves.
Students demonstrated a great deal of creativity and we were impressed! p. 6
UPDATED PLANTING GUIDES Are you interested in starting a revegetation project, maybe in a riparian area or along the coast? If so, you might be interested in the Planting Guides for each Local Government area in the Cradle Coast that have recently been updated with assistance from the Tasmanian Land Conservancy and Oldina Nursery.
Photo: Helen Morgan Above: Swamp Paperbark (Melaleuca ericifolia)
The guides provide both scientific and common names for each species, as well as identifying the best choices for a particular purpose such as erosion control, shelter belts, or plants best suited to a riparian area versus a wet forest or coastal environment. There are also some useful tips to ensure maximum survival in revegetation projects. You can access the new planting guides on our website very soon!
BEETAS IS LIVE Biosecurity Tasmania is thrilled to announce that BeeTAS, a new online beekeeper registration portal, is now LIVE. BeeTAS can be accessed at www.nre.tas.gov.au/beekeeperregistration. You will now be able to log into BeeTAS to: register or renew your registration maintain your apiary site information record inspection details, record hive purchases, disposals and hive movements upload training certification and laboratory results
If you have registered as a beekeeper in Tasmania since December 2022, your information has been automatically carried across to the BeeTAS online portal. You will be able to log into BeeTAS using the email you provided when you first registered. If you have not re-registered since December 2022, you can now easily do so with BeeTAS! If you require further assistance with registration, have limited online access or have any other BeeTAS queries, please refer to the BeeTAS user guide which can be found at www.nre.tas.gov.au/beekeeper-registration. If you still require assistance, please contact Biosecurity Tasmania at honeybee.biosecurity@nre.tas.gov.au. p. 7
TREES ARE BECOMING AN INCREASINGLY POLITICAL ISSUE – THE UK EXPERIENCE. Article by CCA Regional Planning Program Manager, Jenny Donovan.
At CCA, we recognise the importance of putting different perspectives and experiences before people. In our experience, this is an effective way to provoke thought and help people find their own solutions to the big challenges we face. To this end, we would like to share a perspective on how landscape protection and enhancement has become more central to the political agenda in the UK and why this might interest us. Ronald Reagan once famously asked how many trees do you need to look at? He asked it to question the importance of rural conservation but if he wanted an answer for towns and cities, he might have been advised that the more trees you look at the better it is for you. It is difficult to have too many. It is easy to have too few and reducing the number or contribution of trees will be distressing.
Recent UK events have revealed how strongly people feel about trees. The illegal felling of the beautiful and historic tree at the eponymous Sycamore Gap on the England/Scotland border triggered grief and outrage across the UK. Many were surprised and moved by the public reaction and the heated discussions it provoked. In urban UK, the increased appreciation of landscape and trees has pushed them up the political agenda. In Plymouth in SW England the overnight felling of 110 mature trees in the City Centre by the Council to redevelop the shopping centre provoked fury and became the major issue in the subsequent local election and led to the loss by the incumbent party. As a member of the losing party in the Economist noted, people have “been drawing trees on the ballot papers.”[1]
Sycamore Gap, before and after. Images: Creative Commons
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In Sheffield in Northern England, a recent program to fell 17500 street trees led to mass protests and the arrest of a councillor. The council have since acknowledged some people will never forgive them and has issued a lengthy open apology for the program. Tom Hunt, the council’s leader and Kate Joseph, the council's CEO, said, “Residents should not have had to fight their council to retain and value healthy trees, particularly not those with special significance such as memorial, rare or veteran trees. We recognise that we got so much of this wrong and we apologise unreservedly. ”[2] Amidst the distress though, there are reasons for optimism. Tony Gates, chief executive of the Northumberland National Park Authority, within which Sycamore Gap is located, felt the public reaction to this selfish act would mean we get 1,000 positive ones and will inspire many to actively protect their landscapes.[3] The newly installed Plymouth Council are planting six times as many trees as the last council removed and Sheffield has stated their intent to right the wrongs that have incensed and distressed so many people. Other councils, far beyond those that find themselves in the headlines, have seen this and are recalibrating their priorities and committing to planting more trees and better protect existing ones.
Of course, the UK is far from here and we have long stopped looking there for our lead. However, as we all become aware of the need to make our towns and cities more liveable, or just even habitable in a more uncertain future, we should remember the importance of trees in the public realm. They contribute to our mental health, reduce the urban heat island effect, make streets walkable and provide habitat value that allows us to share our urban areas with our unique flora and fauna that brings joy to many lives. The factors that threaten this contribution are common around the world: climate change, environmental degradation, vandalism and conflicting development pressures[4]. These pressures exert themselves here. For example, Hobart lost two per cent of its canopy cover on private land between 2017 and 2022[5]. If we are to avoid the stress and distress (and even political upheaval) of our cities being denuded of trees, perhaps we also need to make sure we are prepared to protect them and replace them, especially as our climate changes[6].
[1] https://www.economist.com/britain/2023/05/22/tree-felling-is-at-the-centre-of-disputes-across-britain [2] https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/sites/default/files/202306/an_open_apology_for_the_behaviour_of_sheffield_city_council_during_the_street_trees_dispute.pdf [3] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/17/plymouth-to-replace-felled-trees-that-helped-bringdown-tory-councilyears [4] https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26034610-100-the-trees-in-our-cities-are-dying-a-sick-microbiome-maybe-to-blame/ [5] https://www.hobartcity.com.au/City-services/Environment/Trees [6] https://theconversation.com/we-need-urban-trees-more-than-ever-heres-how-to-save-them-from-extreme-heat211414
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GIVE SPANISH HEATH THE HEAVE Over the past two years, five councils across the Cradle Coast have been targeting the invasive weed Spanish Heath (Erica lusitanica) with help from additional project partners and private landowners. So far there has been successful collaboration across municipal and private land boundaries, and councils have seen a reduction in the number of Spanish Heath plants seen. But there is more work to do, and we want your help! In 2024, councils are looking to target Spanish Heath in a move to further eradicate or control the weed where possible. Here are the reasons why: Spanish Heath can be a sleeper weed, hardly recognisable and easily mistaken for native species until in flower. It can quickly overwhelm paddocks, roadsides, and nature strips - mowing and slashing can cause it to spread quickly and it is still able to flower and seed. Spanish Heath aggressively outcompetes native plants for space and resources while simultaneously reducing habitat and food availability for native animals. It is extremely combustible and provides a fire hazard in large infestations. It threatens the natural beauty and biodiversity on which north-west Tasmania’s reputation and economy hinges.
The Weeds Action Fund project is offering a FREE SPRAY KIT to eligible property owners within the dedicated eradication zones to aid their efforts in removing this pest from their properties. To find out if your property qualifies for a kit, please contact the NRM Officer at your council. Please join us in the fight to rid the north-west of Spanish Heath from Arthur River to Devonport.
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SPOT THE WEEDS BEFORE THEY SEED! Central Coast Council are looking for any reports of Berry-flower Heath (Erica baccans) in the Penguin area. Council officers have recently sighted this invasive weed on Ironcliffe Rd in Penguin and it has potential to spread rapidly – especially along roadsides. They need your help to stop the spread! Their pink flowers resemble small berries and are unmistakable! Soft, bright green growth is what you will see when it’s not in flower. If you have seen this weed, please contact the Council's NRM Officer on 03 6429 8972 so they can stop the spread. For help with ID and info about all Erica species check out this resource: http://www.aabr.org.au/.../WeedGuides/wmg_spanish_heath.pdf
Photo: Central Coast Council Left: Berry-flower Heath new growth Right: In flower
MEANWHILE, AT MOUND ROLAND Photo: Kylie Tune
Our friends at Mt Roland Landcare Group have put out an alert for a new weed that has been spotted in the area. It is Daphne Laurel, AKA Spurge Laurel (Daphne laureola). It is highly invasive, toxic, and at this stage, eradicatible! What does it look like? Spurge Laurel is a small shrub, usually not more than 1.5 m tall. The glossy, alternating leaves have an acrid smell when cut or crushed and often only remain on the top 15-20 cm of the stems. The Spring flowers are small, yellow or greenish-yellow, fragrant, and appear in clusters near the plant’s tips. The fruit ripens in Summer, appearing green at first, then bluish-black. Each fruit contains a single large seed.
Above: Daphne Laurel in flower
To learn more or if you see this weed, please promptly contact, by email: secretary@mountrolandlandcare.org.au
WEEDSCAN LAUNCHED Australia’s first artificial intelligence (AI) weed identification, notification and management app, WeedScan, was launched last week to help farmers, land managers, local councils, Landcare and communities across Australia better manage national and local weed issues.
Photo: Philip Collier
Supported by the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, CSIRO, the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and the South Australian, Queensland and Victorian Governments, the mobile and web-based app allows users to identify, report and map priority weeds simply by uploading a photo of the suspected weed. If you come across a suspected weed, simply take a snap and upload it to the app. The AI model assesses the photo against verified images. Within moments, WeedScan proposes possible plant identifications, with a measure of certainty for each suggestion and management tips. Bridle Creeper (Asparagus
asparagoides) is a Weed of National Significance. If spotted and identified, please report to Cradle WeedScan can be downloaded from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android). Coast NRM.
Farmers, communities, natural resource management bodies and governments now have free access to an easy-to-use digital tool. The tool can also be accessed via Weedscan's website: www.weedscan.org.au
MAUGEAN SKATE SCULPTURES INSTALLED Maugean Skates are now only found in the tannin-stained waters of Macquarie Harbour and most of us are unlikely to meet one face-to-face, but thanks to our recentlycompleted Maugean Skate Awareness Project, supported through funding from the Australian Government, anyone strolling along the Strahan waterfront can enjoy the next best thing. Tim Johnman’s incredibly life-like bronze sculptures of an adult female with egg cases and a mature male hunting crabs have been combined with some amazing patterned ancient sandstone blocks by Mat the Mason, a talented stonemason from Hobart, to create a visually stunning and tactile experience. If you’re in Strahan to check out the sculptures over the summer, make sure you also visit the Huon Pine Shop and Gallery a bit further along the waterfront. Two paintings by Janet Fenton from SKATEx in February are on display, along with a beautiful new piece by Darren Wakefield (pictured right). You can learn more about the Maugean Skate Awareness Project here: maugeanskate.au And stay tuned for more information next year about CCA’s involvement in priority recovery actions for the Maugean Skate, funded by the Australian Government’s Saving Native Species program.
AND HAVE YOUR SAY
Under national environmental law, the Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, is required to reconsider a 2012 referral decision governing marine farming in Macquarie Harbour (EPBC 2012/6406). DCCEEW, on behalf of the Minister, is consulting with the public and interested stakeholders about salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour, and in particular the impacts on the endangered Maugean Skate. The public comment period will run until Friday 2 February 2024 and all members of the public are invited to provide their views. Background documents and more information are available on the EPBC Consultation Hub. p. 12
THREE HUMMOCK ISLAND WORK CONTINUES The Australian Government has supported a continuation of the feral cat control part of our Three Hummock Island project, under their Supporting Communities to Manage Pest Animals and Weeds program. This means that we can leave the seven Felixers in place for another year. That’s good because there aren’t many cats left on Three Hummock Island, and we’d like to take out the last few! We still see a small number on the wildlife cameras, but none have walked in front of a Felixer for a few months now. We (the humans) have employed a few clever tricks and we’ll let you know when we’ve outsmarted these sneaky feral predators which continue to threaten the Island’s native wildlife.
The first swans we’ve seen on the wildlife cameras were spotted in October, marching up and down this track near West Telegraph beach. There were 7 cat sightings on this camera too so we hope the cygnets made it.
Eagles are surprisingly common sightings on the ground in the shearwater colonies. As well as Whitebellied Sea Eagles, occasionally a Wedge-tailed Eagle will drop in, like this one at Eleanor’s Bay.
On our field trip in early December, there were penguin chicks peeking out of many of the burrows originally dug by shearwaters, anxiously awaiting their parents’ return from the sea each evening. This one looks like an adult, perhaps on an egg.
Three Hummock Island is home to large populations of all three Tasmanian snake species. We have many sightings on each field trip! This is the skeleton of a snake, species and cause of death unknown! p. 13
IT MIGHT BE SILLY SEASON BUT LET’S BE WILDLIFE SMART! Feeding Rudolf this year? The humble carrot on the hearth may be your most thoughtful offering and here’s why…. If you’re innocently sprinkling a mixture of oats and glitter on your lawn on 24 December to attract Santa and his reindeer, please be mindful of the impact this tradition will have on our environment! As well as reindeer, native wildlife, such as birds, possums, and bandicoots, will be munching on it that night. Many of our native species are unique to Tasmania, are priority listed and protected!
Glitter and even “biodegradable” glitter contain microplastic and aluminium. https://citizensustainable.com/biodegradable-glitter/ Food on the ground attracts vermin and predators to birds. When oats get wet, they can harden around birds' beaks. Some simple and effective alternatives? The humble carrot Edible hundreds and thousands (if you must add colour) Place your offerings on a high table away from predators (extra bonus – this can easily magically disappear overnight and be safely disposed of!) Caring for nature can start at home and from a very young age! Searching for ways to reduce your plastic waste this Christmas?
Check out this guide to feeding wildlife: https://taronga.org.au/caringfor.../suitable-foods-guide
The CSIRO have written this helpful article: https://www.csiro.au/en/news/All/Articles/2023/D ecember/plastic-waste-Christmas
Perhaps consider making your own edible glitter, if time allows: https://blog.doublehelix.csiro.au/edible -glitter/
Enjoy the festivities one and all!
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ANNUAL TIA FORTHSIDE FIELD DAY A SUCCESS Our NRM Ag Team were invited to host a trade table at Tasmania Institute of Agriculture’s (TIA) annual Vegetable Research Facility Field Day at Forthside on Monday 11 December. A fine sunny day and diverse agenda combined to attract a large crowd of over 100 people from a wide range of sectors within the agricultural industry. The event also incorporated a 60th birthday celebration for both the Forthside facility and 60 years of agricultural science at the University of Tasmania. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIA!
If you missed out on attending the field day (or want to watch the presentations again) you can view the recording on the TIA's YouTube channel. A panel discussion on ‘Growing value for cool climate horticulture’ facilitated by Dr Nigel Swarts included a range of local producers and industry representatives. Speakers highlighted the expanding opportunities that exist in both the processing and fresh markets as well as the challenges of getting consumers to better appreciate where their food comes from.
After the event was officially opened by Minister Palmer and the birthday cake had been cut, participants heard a series of short format presentations on a whole host of current research topics ranging from potato pathology, use of Bioclay for disease management to overcoming heat stress in strawberries and the potential for growing Traditional Chinese herbs in Tasmania.
A disconnect between producers and consumers was identified, with the need for producers and suppliers to develop strategies to improve consumers’ understanding of all the steps that are involved along the entire value chain - from the paddock to the plate.
An inspiring case study in economic resilience and market flexibility was presented by local farmer Matthew Young (Elphin Grove farm) who is now diversifying the family farm operations and successfully navigating new local markets in celeriac and sweet corn after previously placing most of their reliance on producing for a large corporation.
Photo: TIA
The Veg Shed at Forthside was a focus point for all participants and sparked plenty of conversations. Participants were treated to morning tea which included TIA’s 60th birthday cake.
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GAUNTS FARM BIENNIAL OPEN DAY Nestled away in a forest in the Central Coast farming district of Nietta, the historical and unique Gaunts Farm can be found. Established in 1886, Gaunts is now comprised of 190 hectares and specialises in grass-fed “paddock to plate“ lamb and beef. This heritage property has its own hydroelectricity scheme, function centre at the waterfall cafe and guest accommodation. This November, Gaunts put on the ‘Spring into Gaunts’ open day, where guided heritage tours of the buildings and historic hydro-engineering systems ran throughout the day. Sheep-dog demonstrations, an animal nursery and kids activities ensured there was something for everyone. Current farm manager Adrian Beswick led the tours and demonstrations. Adrian is passionate about sustainable agriculture, animal health and helping people connect with where their food comes from and how it is produced.
“Animal husbandry and animal health are paramount to our production system here at Gaunts, and as a family we love to be able to help people to reconnect with where their food comes and learn of its provenance” explained Adrian between guided tours. Cradle Coast NRM has worked with Adrian and Gaunts Farm on a number of initiatives in recent years, with Gaunts hosting a workshop and field session on the use and benefits of biological soil amendments.
TASMANIAN AGRICULTURE PRODUCTIVITY GROUP (TAPG) FORUM AND AGM The forum then had the pleasure of listening to a thought-provoking keynote presentation from workforce demographer Dr Lisa Denny of the University of Tasmania, who explained what the data tells us about maximising productivity in Tasmania’s workforce and how this affects our primary industries into the future.
In early November, the Tasmanian Agriculture Productivity Group (TAPG) held its annual industry forum and AGM at the Devonport Country Club in Spreyton. The TAPG came into existence in 1989, initially to provide advocacy around the responsible regulation of pesticide use in the agricultural sector by fostering broad industry collaboration. TAPG has since grown to become a wellrespected conduit between Government and the primary industries sector, consisting of a group of industry professionals representing all facets of agricultural production in Tasmania.
Dr Denny outlined how the data suggests that while machine automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play a role in boosting productivity, finding skilled workers for the agriculture sector will become more of a challenge as time goes on. Reasons for this include: the high average age of many current workers in sector fewer workers are entering the sector each year than the number of those exiting the ongoing issue of difficulty in attracting workers to the sector. Additionally, Tasmania is essentially ‘marketed’ as a place to move to live, not to work. While many people relocate to Tasmania each year, more do for lifestyle reasons rather than career aspirations and interestingly, around half of the new arrivals each year to Tasmania do not enter the workforce.
Photo: TAPG CEO Terry Brient
The forum heard from Michael Coote, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AUSVEG, the industry representative body for vegetable growers across Australia. Michael spoke of the numerous challenges facing vegetable producers currently, including low predicted rainfall over the coming months, logistical challenges for domestic and international transport, availability of skilled workers and high input costs relative to profit margins.
While challenges will persist for the primary industries sector into the future, an increased focus on agricultural education and the ability of farmers to pragmatically solve problems as they arise certainly leaves room for optimism.
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KELCEY TIER EXTINCTION MATTERS BIOBLITZ 2023 Photo: Simon Van der veen
Were you there on 20-21 October? Almost 300 people came together to find, identify and record as many species as possible within the beautiful Kelcey Tier Greenbelt reserve, across a 30-hour survey period. With more than 90 additional 'identifiers' from around the world helping work through the data, we've recorded well over 400 distinct species! At least 140 of these hadn't previously been recorded at the site – including a population of the threatened curved riceflower (Pimelea curviflora). This very memorable, positive event was a BioBlitz – a 'festival of science in nature' – an effort by the community, working with scientists and naturalists, to find, identify and record as many different species as possible within a chosen site for a set period. The first two 'Extinction Matters' BioBlitzes (extinctionmatters.au) were held in Hobart and Latrobe, respectively, in 2016: marking Threatened Species Day, eighty years after the death of the last known thylacine. Each Extinction Matters BioBlitz is run by the Bookend Trust in partnership with the local council. This fifth BioBlitz was coorganised by Devonport City Council, with support from the University of Tasmania and numerous additional organisations and individuals.
Photo: Simon Van der veen
Top left: Local bird guide Ramit Singal (pictured) ran numerous highly popular bird surveys which, with those run by experts Dr Cat Young and Sarah Lloyd, often overlapped to run virtually around the clock, from dawn till late at night. Centre left: Eastern Barred Bandicoot (Perameles gunnii), photographed by Central North Field Naturalist Simon Van der veen, who led the mammal spotlighting surveys.
Photo: Clare Hawkins
Left: Bat specialist (chiropterologist) Dr Lisa Cawthen and her team record details of a Southern Forest Bat (Vespedelus regulus) caught in her harp trap. Lisa identified four additional bat species from their calls during the BioBlitz. p. 18
ALSO IN KELCEY TIER... Since the Bioblitz, ecologist Dave James, who has been assisting Devonport City Council with their Swift Parrot Nest Box project, has located three previously unreported Blue-winged Parrot nests. Blue-winged Parrots, Neophema chrysostoma, were recently listed as “vulnerable” under the EPBC Act. Like most parrots, they need tree hollows to nest in, so rely mostly on mature forests, and are threatened by habitat clearing across their range. Dave’s recent find was encouraging in that the nests are in surprisingly small, “underwhelming” trees! Control of introduced Sugar Gliders likely assists these birds as well as Swift Parrots.
On the Friday morning, the key surveyors were primary students, from five schools and a home-schooling group; then, from midafternoon, the BioBlitz opened up to everyone of all ages. Experts in everything from orchids to beetles to slime moulds supported all the surveying and identifying. Teams looked and listened for birds from dawn to dark. We checked camera traps set the previous evening and, deep into the night, we spotlightsearched for mammals, UV-light-searched for scorpions, ran a light trap for moths, and listened and trapped for bats. We brought our most exciting plant and invertebrate discoveries back to Basecamp to share with others and for identification under the microscope.
Photo: Elizabeth Latham
Photo: Kristi Ellingsen
The Devonport Regional Gallery helped judge and present awards in this year's Claws on the Line art competition. Gallery staff also ran a fantastic art workshop focusing on tardigrades. These tiny, extraordinary 'water bears' have a special charm, as we learnt from rotifer and tardigrade expert John Gibson. You can see for yourself everything that was found, as all observations were recorded – mostly with photographs – on the iNaturalist app https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/kelcey-tierextinction-matters-bioblitz-2023?tab=observations These have been shared with Tasmania's Natural Values Atlas, linked to the Atlas of Living Australia. It's a fantastic dataset and all field naturalists are encouraged to log their finds in the NVA.
Photo: Kristi Ellingsen
Our warmest thanks to everyone involved. Top Right: Spreyton students examine the insects caught from their survey, inspired and assisted by the incredible identification skills of University of Tasmania entomologist Dr Lynne Forster!
Right Centre: Metallic shield bug (Scutiphora pedicellata) - Photo taken by Incredible Insects survey leader Kristi Ellingsen, who co-founded the online Field Guide to the Insects of Tasmania https://tasmanianinsectfieldguide.com/ Kristi’s upload of this photo to iNaturalist includes the comment 'Hopefully we have a big bunch of people that now know these are not beetles’! Right: Inspired by tardigrade expert John Gibson, and guided by Devonport Regional Gallery’s Bernadette Neeling, Lachlan Clark produced a beautiful picture of a microscopic tardigrade (aka ‘water bear’ or ‘moss piglet’). Background: Slime mould (Oligonema affine) - found by Central North Field Naturalist and slime mould expert, Sarah Lloyd, on a small eucalypt branch. Photo: Sarah Lloyd
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Photo: Clare Hawkins
BIOSECURITY BASICS HELP PROTECT TASMANIA During holiday season, visitor numbers to Tasmania peak and this brings an increased risk of a pest or disease being introduced and establishing in our state. That biosecurity risk could be fruit fly larvae in a piece of fruit, inadvertently left in someone’s luggage, or a serious animal disease, like foot-and-mouth disease, introduced through contaminated organic material left uncleaned on clothing or equipment.
Biosecurity Tasmania will be promoting a series of information videos, directed at visitors to the state, as well as Tasmanians returning home. The videos are one element of Biosecurity Tasmania’s ongoing biosecurity awareness campaign entitled The Biosecurity Basics. The Biosecurity Basics are simple, yet practical actions we can ALL take, to help protect Tasmania from the negative impacts of pests and diseases.
The Biosecurity Basics are: Check your Bags, Come in Clean, Stay on the Path and Report anything Unusual. Access all the Biosecurity Basics webpages here: https://nre.tas.gov.au/biosecuritytasmania/biosecurity-basics
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES WHAT
WHERE AND MORE INFO
Have you seen a Bogong Moth?
If you see a Bogong Moth, upload the photo and location to Moth Tracker. https://bit.ly/2Ls3NYC. Learn more: https://www.zoo.org.au/possums/
Marine farming in Mac Harbour public consultation
https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/epbcmacquarie-harbour
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/biodivers KI scrub complex proposed Conservation Status: Endangered ity/threatened/nominations/comment/king-islandscrub-complex Public consultation
WHEN
4 Dec 2023 2 Feb 2024 Closes on 7 Feb 2024
Urban rivers and Catchments Program 2023 Grant Round (round two)
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/biodivers ity/conservation/urban-rivers-catchments-program
Applications close 13 Feb 2024
Grassroots Festival 2024
The Tasmanian Sustainable Farming Festival https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grassroots-festival2024-tickets-724222247237
14 Feb -15 Feb 2024
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
22 Dec - 1 Jan (inclusive)
CCA Christmas office closure
1-3 Spring St, Burnie, Tasmania, 7320 03 6433 8400 www.cradlecoast.com www.facebook.com/CradleCoastNRM/