Cradle to Coastlines March 2024

cradle to cradle to coastlines coastlines

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DESEXING PROGRAMS TO HELP LESSEN THE IMPACTS OF CATS IN THE CRADLE COAST REGION

CELEBRATING CIRCULAR HEAD’S COASTAL WETLANDS

STOCK EXCLUSION BENEFITS

GETTING TO GRIPS WITH BRIDAL CREEPER

Page 8 FOXGLOVES PROPOSED AS A PEST

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WILMOT WILLOW BUSTERS

SCIENCE ON THE GREAT SOUTHERN REEF

INAUGURAL GRASSROOTS FESTIVAL A HIT IN CIRCULAR HEAD ROAD KILL WARRIORS

MORE MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS ADDED TO THE THREATENED SPECIES LIST

LANDCARE GRANTS UP FOR GRABS

Page 18 2024 WHERE? WHERE? WEDGIE! BY NATURE TRACKERS

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FOOLING THE OLFACTORY SYSTEM – A SOLUTION TO PERSISTENT PLANT-EATERS?

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Photo: Stefan Andrews @ocean imaging

DESEXING PROGRAMS TO HELP

LESSEN THE IMPACTS OF CATS IN THE CRADLE COAST REGION

Sinceearly2023,CradleCoastAuthorityandtheNationalDesexingNetwork(NDN)havebeen engagingwithcouncilsandvetsintheCradleCoastregiontoorganiseacatdesexingand microchippingprograminpartnershipwithlocalvetclinics.

Thisprogramaimstoprovidesupporttocommunitymembersunabletoaffordthecostofcat desexingandmicrochippingandtoreducethenumberand impactsoffree-roamingcats.

CCAledtheinitiativebyprovidinga$5,000in-kindcontributiontoanycouncilintheCradleCoast regionthatwaswillingtoparticipateintheprogram Sevencouncilsexpressedaninterest,however onlysixwereabletosecurealocalvettoparticipate

DevonportCityCouncilwerethefirsttolaunchbuthadtoputtheprogramonholddueto overwhelmingdemandafteronlyfivedays.Othercouncilsthathavealsolauncheddesexing programsincludeKentish,LatrobeandKingIsland.Waratah-WynyardCouncilhasfaceddelaysdueto vetshortages,andCentralCoastissettolaunchtheirprograminthenearfuture Residentsfromthese municipalitiesshouldrefrainfromcontactingtheNDNuntiltheprogramsopen

Since2021,therehavebeenchangestotheCatManagementAct2009.Thisincludescompulsory microchippinganddesexingofallcatsovertheageoffourmonths.

ThisprogramisfundedbytheTasmanianstategovernmentviatheTasmanianCatManagement Project

TolearnmoreabouttheTasmanianCatManagementProjectpleasevisit: www.tassiecat.com.au

Image from "Living with Devils" by Simon Plowright

CELEBRATING CIRCULAR HEAD’S COASTAL WETLANDS

CradleCoastNRMhasbeenengagingwith localCircularHeadresidentsandrelevant expertstodevelopashortfilmtoshowcasethe uniquebeautyoftheRobbinsPassageBoullangerBaytidalwetlandswhile highlightingtheimmenseecological, economicandsocialvalueofthisplaceforthe CircularHeadcommunityandfurtherafield.

ThetidalwetlandsofRobbinsPassage-Boullanger Bay(RP-BB)areanimportantnaturalassetforour regionandhavelongbeenapriorityforon-ground work,investmentandcommunityengagement aimedatprotectingitsnaturalvalues.

A short ‘teaser’ video was released on Cradle Coast NRM’s Facebook Page for World Wetlands Day 2024 and a longer video, featuring interviews with Circular Head locals and footage from across the expansive wetland area, will be released in April. Keep an eye on our Cradle Coast NRM Facebook page and website!

What’s so special about Circular Head’s tidal wetlands?

Every summer, thousands of migratory shorebirds, born in Siberia or the Arctic

Every summer, thousands of migratory shorebirds, born in Siberia or the Arctic tundra, fly to their Tasmanian home on the rich tidal wetlands of Circular Head. tundra, fly to their Tasmanian home on the rich tidal wetlands of Circular Head.

TheRP-BBwetlandcomplexfeatures expansiveandspectacularsandflatswith wild,fiercecurrentsgeneratedaseach tiderushesin,andthousandsofbusybirds feedingwhenthetideisout Thearea hostssomeofthefurthest-travellinglarge flocksofmigratorybirdsintheworld, beingatthesouthernendofthe84.8 millionkm EastAsian-AustralasianFlyway

Theshorebirdsincludeseveralcritically endangeredspecies.Theyfeedrestlessly onthesealifeinthesandflatsand seagrassbeds.Andtheyshiftwithtideand wind,travellingfromsite-to-sitetoreach favouredfeedinggroundsorflockinginto restonshore.

Photo: Ian and Patricia May

Photo: Ian and Patricia May

Fringingthecoastsaretwospecialecological communities–saltmarsh,andpaperbarkswamp forests Theseareasbuffertheagriculturallandofthe north-westcoastfromwindsandtides,protectinga high-valueindustry.Thesaltmarshesarethenurseriesfor millionsofbabyfish,thefoundationofthehealthy coastalfood-webswedependon

TheintertidalflatsofRP-BBprovideoysterfarmingand fishingopportunities,aswellasmuch-lovedplacesfor recreation,educationandcommuningwithnature.The areahaslongbeenanimportantculturallandscape andmeetingpointforTasmanianAboriginalpeople. Thesesandyexpansescontributetotheregion’s growingecotourismindustrywhilesupportinglocal cultureandwaysoflife.

TheRobbinsPassage–BoullangerBaywetland complexislistedontheAustralianDirectoryof ImportantWetlands Wetlandsinotherplacesarealso listedinternationally,ontheRamsarlist.ARamsarlisting conveystheglobalsignificanceofasite,andwethink thatRobbinsPassage–BoullangerBayisworthyofthis recognition.

Studies show that the Robbins Passage – Boullanger Bay wetland meets at least 6 criteria for Ramsar listing, which would maintain local industry, unlock funding to improve water quality, and recognise the special nature of Tasmania’s wildest coastal wetland.

Ramsarlisting

CradleCoastNaturalResourceManagement(CCNRM)andCircularHeadCouncilhavewrittentothe TasmanianMinisterfortheEnvironment,requestingthattheMinisterinitiatestheRamsarnomination processforthiswetland Thiswillenableadetailednominationtobepreparedandsubmittedtothe AustralianGovernmenttobeconsideredforRamsarlisting.

Anumberofotherorganisations,includingBirdlifeTasmaniaandCircularHeadLandcareGroup,and scientistsfromtheUniversityofTasmaniasupportthisnomination.

Ifnominationgoesahead,scientists,naturalresourcemanagersandinterestedcommunitymembers willcollaboratetocompleteecologicalandsocialstudiesanddeveloptherequireddocumentation. Thisprocesscouldtakeayearormore.Residentswillhaveopportunitiestolearnmoreandraiseany concernstheymighthave.

CradleCoastNRMandCircularHeadCouncilarenotproposingRamsarnominationforthepurposeof blockingwind-farmdevelopmentsorotherindustries,butaimtocelebrateandraiseawarenessofthe naturalvaluesaroundus.

STOCK EXCLUSION BENEFITS

Fencingofftheirriversandwaterwaystoexcludestockwasoneactivityundertakenbyfarmers whoparticipatedinournow-completedGiantFreshwaterCrayfishRecoveryProject.Butmuchto thelandholders’delight,ithasprovidedmultiplebenefitsoverashorttimescale.

ThisprojectwasfundedundertheAustralianGovernment’sNationalLandcareProgramandran from2019to2023.Workingwithfarmers,theprojectaimedtoimprovethehabitatforthe threatenedGiantFreshwaterCrayfish,thatisuniquetonorthernTasmania

Landholderswereabletoaccessfundingforfencingoffwaterwaystoexcludestockaccessand reducenutrientandsedimentrunoffintothewaterway,aswellasfundingforoff-streamwater pointsandrevegetation.

Oncetheworkssuchasfencingareinplace,landholdershavetomaintaintheworksfor10years underthetermsoftheirfundingagreementwithCradleCoastAuthority

ProjectOfficerFionaMarshallvisitedlandownerstodocumentprogressthroughouttheproject andwaspleasedathowquicklyvegetationandstablebankswereabletore-establishonce livestockwereexcludedfromthewaterways.“Itcanbesurprisinghowquicklywaterwayscan recoveroncestockareexcludedandhavealternativewatersources,”Fionasaid.

AtonesiteintheDetentionRivercatchment,cattlehadfullaccesstothecreek.Erosionhad occurredonthebankswherestockwereaccessingthecreektodrink,andscouringwasvery noticeableonthecreekbedwhereaconcreteculvertdroppedwaterfromaheight

Twentymonthsafterfencingwaserectedandtheculvertwaslowered,naturalregenerationof vegetationnowprovidesgoodgroundcoveronthepreviouslyerodedbanksandbedofthe creek.Thefencinghasallowedabufferareabetweenanystocktracksandtheedgeofthecreek banksothatsedimentandnutrientsgettrappedinthegrassandrootnetworkbeforetheycan flowintothewaterwayandcauseturbidityandalgalgrowthdownstream

Before fencing

20 months after fencing

GETTING TO GRIPS WITH BRIDAL CREEPER

InearlyFebruary,CentralCoastCouncilin partnershipwithEnviro-dynamicsandBiosecurity Tasmaniaheldafielddayworkshoponthedeclared weedBridalCreeper(Asparagusasparagoides).

TheStateofBridalCreeperinTasmaniaprojectaims toground-truthpreviousmappingofbridalcreeper aswellasmapnewinfestationsandthespreadof knowninfestations

Withthesunshiningandasoftbreeze,theywere joinedbyagroupofkeenvolunteerswhoare alreadyhands-oninourCentralCoastcommunity throughtheirworkwithlocalLandcareGroups, UlverstoneCoastcare,SulphurCreek/Preservation BayCoastcareaswellasFriendsofReidStreet ReserveandFriendsofEastButtonsBeach.

Theeventfocusedonweedidentification,bestpracticecontrolmethodsandhowtoreport sightingsofBridalCreeperandcontributetoprojectsusingtheiNaturalistapp.RaelenefromEnvirodynamicsbroughtalongcuttingsofnativeandweedplantstohelpidentifyanddifferentiate similarspeciesthatBridalCreepercanbeconfusedwith

LisafromBiosecurityTasmaniaranthroughthelegislationregardingdeclaredweedsaswellasthe bestpracticeremovalanddisposalofBridalCreeperandotherdeclaredweeds.MiafromCentral CoastCouncilsuppliedmappingdatafromprevioussurveysofwherethisweedisfoundinthe CentralCoast

Withcontrolmethodsbeingplannedforthecominggrowthseason,Counciliskeentopartnerwith ourlocalNRMvolunteerstoidentify,mapandfollowupwiththeaimofcontainmentandeventual eradicationofBridalCreeper.

ThisprojectisfundedbytheTasmanianGovernment throughtheTasmanianWeedsActionFundfacilitated byNRMNorthwithsupportfromNRMSouthand CradleCoastNRM.

If you’d like more information on the location of Bridal Creeper, please contact the following people:

InCentralCoastmunicipality:MiaatCentral CoastCouncilon(03)64298972or mia.o.sullivan@centralcoast.tas.gov.au

IntherestoftheCradleCoastorformore informationontheBridalCreeperproject: RaeleneatEnviro-dynamicson(03)62953262or Raelene.mibus@enviro-dynamics.com.au

FOXGLOVES PROPOSED AS A PEST

TheDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentTasmania(NRET)isproposingthedeclarationof foxgloveasapestundertheBiosecurityRegulations2022.

PlantsinthegenusDigitalisaregenerallyreferredtoas“Foxgloves”andarenativetoEurope Many specieshavebeencultivatedforuseasgardenplants

Globally,thegenusisanimportantsourceindrugpreparationsforcardiactreatments,butFoxgloves containcompoundsthataretoxictopeopleandanimals(particularlyruminantsandhorses). Fortunately,plantsaregenerallyunpalatabletograzingstockbutcontaminatedhayorcutgarden materialfedtoanimalscanbeasourceofpoisoning

Foxglovesproducenumeroussmalldust-likeseedsthatarespreadviawind,water,transportofsoil andcontaminatedgardenrefuse.Digitalisspeciesreadilyspreadintodisturbedandneglected ground,poorpastures,wetforests,andriparianareas.Seedcansurviveinthesoilseedbankforupto 68years!

CommonFoxglove(Digitalispurpurea)isnowa well-establishedenvironmentalweedin Tasmaniaandisfoundacrossmostpartsofthe State.Itisathreattohighconservationvalue areassuchasTasmania’snationalparksand theTasmanianWildernessWorldHeritageArea (TWWHA).

ThewidespreadnatureofFoxglove,especially asagardenplant,makeseradicationand containmentextremelydifficult.Consequently, thisdeclarationwillaimtoprotectareassuch astheTWWHAandotherhighconservation valuesbydesignatingareaswherecontrolof Foxgloveswillberequired.

HAVE YOUR SAY!

Submissionsareopenuntil5pmon21April2024

Writtensubmissionsareinvitedinrelationtotheproposeddeclaration. Forinfo:https://nre.tas.gov.au/invasive-species/weeds/proposed-declaration-of-digitalis-species(foxgloves)

Whatwillthedeclarationmean?

ExceptwiththewrittenapprovaloftheSecretary,apersonmustnotimportorallowtobe importedintotheStateanyreproductivelyviableDigitalisspecies.

Apersonmustnotpropagate,tradeorotherwisedistributeDigitalisoranythingcarrying Digitalisexceptfordisposalpurposes.

Landownersandmanagersshalltakeallreasonablemeasurestocontroltheimpactand spreadofDigitalis

Digitalisplantsshallbedisposedofinamannerwhichwillnotresultinfurtherinfestation. Declarationislimitedto“designatedareas”,essentiallyareasbufferingStateReservesand theTasmanianWildernessWorldHeritageAreaand“designatedpurposes”.Designated purposesincludespecificrequirementstocontrolFoxglove,toprotectvulnerableindustries orthenaturalenvironment,outsidedesignatedareas

SAM'S GLOVES ARE...ON!

CradleCoastNRMCommitteemember,Sam Cleland,hasbeeninvolvedinalocalbattle againstaFoxgloveinfestationimpactinga conservationpropertyhemanages.

“ThebestplanwithFoxgloveistostopitgetting establishedinthefirstplace Oncetheinfestation starts,afewplantscanbecomethousandsina coupleofyearsanditcanbeoverwhelming,” saidSam.

“Hand-pullingandsprayingcanbothbe effective,dependingonthelocation,butthe mainmessageisthatahugeamountof persistenceisrequired.”

ThankstoSamandalltheotherdedicated Foxglovebattlersoutthere.Voluntaryweed controlcanseemlikeanunappreciatedrolebut itishugelyvaluableforthenativespeciesand placesthatwealllove.

Tipsandtricksforcontrollingfoxgloveinfestations onyourproperty:https://foxglove.net.au/

WILMOT WILLOW BUSTERS

Willows are a serious weed of riparian habitats in Australia and are already a declared weed in Tasmania and a Weed of National Significance Willows infestations choke waterways, increase erosion and silting, reduce water availability, and damage aquatic habitats for fauna and flora by replacing natives. Not to mention adding woody debris to rivers which can be dangerous for kayakers

AlongwithothermembersoftheTasmanianCanoeClub,RussellhasformedtheWilmotWillow BustersLandcaregroup,andhasdoneanabsolutelyincrediblejoboftreatingwillowsalong44 kmoftheWilmotRiversince2021.Anestimated400willowshavebeentreated,withrepeat visitsforfollow-uprequired.

"Iseematurewillowsasamajorfloodthreatastheyareabletoholdalargeamountofdebris beforesuddenlylettinggowithtonsoftimberandasuddenwavesmashingwhateverisinthe path,”saidRussell.

TheWillowBustersaccesstheriverbanksbykayakorlocalstreamsidetracks,andusuallyusea “frillandfill”methodtocutajaggedsliceintothecambiumofeachofthestemsofawillow, andapplywater-safeglyphosate

Willow infestation on the Wilmot before treatment

After treatment

Follow-upworkisstillrequiredontheWilmotafewmissedgreenshootscouldeventually undoallthehardwork ButRussellhasalso movedontotheLevenandtheEmuandis thinkingabouttheForthnext,andhasalso tackledsycamoresandfoxgloveswherehe’s foundthem!

It’sincrediblyfrustratingforpeoplewholove ourwaterways,butweedsareoutofcontrol, andthereisalottodo.Russell,you’re amazingandwecan’tthankyouenough!

Formoreinfoonwillows,their identificationandaWillowControl Guidevisit:

https://nretasgovau/invasivespecies/weeds/weedsindex/declared-weeds-index/willows

TogetinvolvedwiththeWilmot WillowBustersortheTasmanian CanoeClub,checkthemouton Facebook

SCIENCE ON THE GREAT SOUTHERN REEF

WhatwereyoudoingonNewYear’sDay?

OnememberoftheCradleCoastNRMteamwasfortunate tomeetupwiththreeamazingmarinescientistsonKing Island,andgottotagalongwhiletheyexploredabeautiful pieceoftheCradleCoast,aboveandbelowthewater.

OurskipperwasthefearlessandinspiringIMASProfessorof MarineConservation,EcologyandBiodiversity,Graham Edgar,onhislastlegofaseven-monthtrip,sailing,diving andsurveyingalongthecoastfromGladstoneanticlockwisearoundtoHobartonthecatamaran,Melita.

Aftercoordinatinghundredsofdivesonthistrip(andtens ofthousandssincehedevelopedtheReefLifeSurvey techniquewithRickStuart-Smithin2007),Grahamhad thediveplanning,surveying,fishID,dataentry,cooking andtravellingbetweensitesdowntoafine(butjam-packed)art.

Overfourdays,wedivedateightsitesonKingIsland,ThreeHummockIsland,RockyCape,SistersIslandand Bridport,usuallycompletingfour50mtransectsateachlocation,andthenmotor-sailingtherestofthetime (includingovernight)togettothenextdestination

University of Tasmania PhD student Lara Denis-Roy volunteered to participate in the trip, and managed to complete Reef Life Survey transects during the night at some sites. These observations provided a broader natural history context for her PhD project. Her research involves collection of water samples for eDNA analysis Lara wants to know whether the genetic signature left behind by marine fishes and invertebrates is as good as (or better than) diver transects at recording and identifying species, including those that only come out at night or remain hidden in cracks.

“Night dives are always surprising. Fish and invertebrates that hide during the day are all over the reefs such as cardinal fishes and sea cucumbers. Also some of the usual fish are a different colour making it a whole new experience even though I was at the same spots a few hours prior. Dive torches bring out colours and details that can be overlooked during the day and attract curious species. Bioluminescence is also a great experience when the conditions are right. There is a lot we miss out on if we do not consider reef life at night,” said Lara.

The fourth member of our crew was Stefan Andrews, a marine scientist and videographer from South Australia. Stefan is a passionate educator and advocate for the Great Southern Reef (GSR), and is responsible for most of the incredible content on the Great Southern Reef website and the new Google Arts and Culture Invisible Forest project.

Footage and photos that Stefan gathered from his trip with Graham from Adelaide to Bridport will soon appear in films, stories and exhibitions designed to build knowledge and understanding of this fascinating but under-appreciated kelp-forest ecosystem Thank you Stefan, Lara and especially Graham - what a privilege to meet, learn and dive with you.

The Great Southern Reef

An interconnected system of temperate reefs fringing Australia’s southern coastline from WA to NSW (and all around Tas)

These reefs feature many beautiful kelps and seaweeds as well as nearby seagrass meadows and shellfish reefs.

The GSR is recognised as a global biodiversity hotspot with plenty of species found nowhere else in the world

17 million Australians live within 50 km of the GSR, and it supports a huge and valuable range of cultural, tourism, fishing, aquaculture, marine protected areas, arts, research and lifestyle activities.

The GSR is threatened by climate change, invasive species, and a range of human impacts from our activities on the land and sea.

The Great Southern Reef Foundation is working to combat these threats by providing education, connecting the community and encouraging participation and stewardship, and facilitating scientific collaborations that promote the long-term health of the GSR.

There are some truly amazing films and resources available on the GSR website. Check them out!

INAUGURAL GRASSROOTS FESTIVAL A HIT IN CIRCULAR HEAD

Valentines'daysawtheinauguralGrassroots Festivalkick-offintheCircularHead municipality,atwo-dayeventprovidinga wealthofknowledgeintomanyfacetsof sustainablefarmingtechniques.

DrivenandhostedbyMatthewandPippa Gunninghamaswellastheirwonderfulfamily ontheirorganicdairyfarmatMontumana, peoplecongregatedfromaroundAustraliato hearfromlearnedspeakersandthelived experiencesofsomeofourregion'schampion farmers

DayOnetooktheformofabustrip,firstly visitingGreenhamTasmaniaPastoral’siconic 3,200haproperty‘Westmore’,atArthurRiver onTasmania’swildwestcoast.Herefarm managerAidenCoombespokeabout changesmadeonthissizablebeeffattening operation,suchasdiversifyingexistingpasture speciescompositionandtriallingalternatives toconventionalfertilisersuchasliquid seaweedextract

ThefinalstoponthebustripwastoJohnand VikkiLillico’sdairyfarmatChristmasHills.Here John,Vikkiandtheirknowledgeable agronomistAngetoldusabouttheir experiencesdiversifyingtheirpasturemakeup toprovideamorebalanceddietfortheir herd,andsomeofthechallengesassociated withachievingthisontheirvarioussoiltypes. Perennialherbssuchasplantainandchicory havebeenaddedtothepasture,withvarying levelsofpersistencenoticeableindifferent portionsofthefarm.

Theseconddaywasalarge-scalefield dayonMatthewandPippa’sorganicdairy farmatMontumana,withspeakersand demonstrationsongoingthroughoutthe daytoengageandenlightenthecrowd Deferredgrazing(longerrestingperiods) anddiversepastureswereshownonthe familyfarm,whileCradleCoastNRMstaff talkedabouttheferrosolsoilformationin theareaandthefunctionoftunnelling dungbeetlesinapasture-basedsystem

SpeakersincludedJoelWilliamsand ChristineJones,bothexperiencedand knowledgeablesoileducatorsbasedin CanadaandNewSouthWales respectively

Oneofthetake-homemessagesfromthe eventwouldhavetobethatdiversityisa goodthing;whetherthatisdiversityina grazinganimal'sdietfromincreasingthe speciesinapasture,ordiversityin microorganismsandotherlivingthingsin thesoilwhichcyclenutrientsandimprove soilstructuralproperties.

Asuperbtwodayswascappedoffwitha farmers’feastandfellowshipsupper,with locallysourcedslow-cookedorganicbeef rolledroaststhedefiniteheroofthe offerings!Thefeastallowedanopportunity towinddown,refuelandnetworkaftera brilliantcoupleofdays

Enormous credit must be given to Matthew, Pippa, Amelia and Henry Gunningham, who conceptualised, organised, hosted and delivered this magnificent series of immersive learning experiences

Photo: TIA

MORE MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS ADDED TO THE THREATENED SPECIES LIST

InJanuary,eightspeciesofmigratory shorebirdsthatregularlyvisitAustraliaand ourislandstate,wereaddedtothelistof threatenedspeciesundertheEnvironment ProtectionandBiodiversityConservation Act1999(EPBCAct),reflectingsubstantial declinesintheirpopulations.

Long-termsurveysconductedbythe AustralasianWaderStudiesGroup(a specialinterestgroupofBirdLifeAustralia) werecrucialinthebirds’inclusiononthe list

Severalthreatstotheirforagingand roostinghabitathaveincreasedpressure onthesemigratoryshorebirdsandhave resultedinalarmingpopulationdeclines

Common Greenshank, Tringa Nebularia (Endangered)

Ruddy Turnstone, Areanaria intrerpres (Vulnerable)

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Calidris acuminata (Vulnerable)

Latham’s Snipe, Gallinago hardwickii (Vulnerable)

Grey Plover, Pluvialis squatarola (Vulnerable)

Terek Sandpiper, Xenus cinereus (Vulnerable)

Black-tailed Godwit, Limosa limosa (Endangered)

Asian Dowitcher, Limnodromus semipalmatus (Vulnerable)

Inaddition,theAlaskanBar-tailedGodwit’sconservationstatusroseto Endangered

WhilefilmingrecentlyonPerkin’sIslandinRobbinsPassage–Boullanger Bay(RP-BB),NRM’sHannahSadlerwasfortunateenoughtoseelotsof migratoryshorebirdsincludingthenowlisted”vulnerable”GreyPlover (Pluvialissquatarola)andtheRuddyTurnstone(Arenariainterpres)that usetheimportantwetlandsforforagingduringsummermonths

Residentandmigratoryshorebirdsareapriorityinthe2030NRM Strategy.Itishopedby2030,long-termmonitoringofresidentand migratoryshorebirdpopulationsisshowingstableorincreasing populationscomparedto2019estimates.Theserecentdesignations reinforcetheneedtoaddresslocalthreatsbyNRMactions

A Ruddy Turnstone Photo: Margot Oorebeek

ROAD KILL WARRIORS

In a short film now streaming on ABC iView, award winning filmmaker Lara van Raay takes us to meet dedicated Wildlife Carer Ruth Waterhouse, on a mission to safeguard Tasmania’s wildlife. “Road Kill Warriors” not only sheds light on Ruth’s efforts to protect, rescue and rehabilitate wildlife, but also highlights the devastating impact of Tasmanian roads, claiming 400,000 animal lives each year.

ThefilmshowcasesRuth'screativeresponsetothiscrisis:roadsidemarkersalonga550-meterstretch, revealing68wildlifecasualtiesinasingleyear.Thesemarkersserveasastarkreminder,urgingdriversto becautiousandrecognisetheirroleinprotectingourenvironment.

AccessibleonABCiView,“RoadKillWarriors”invitesviewerstowitnessthechallengesfacedby Tasmania’swildlifeandbecomeactivecontributorstotheconversationonconservation

Thecreatorsofthefilmwillbefeaturedatthisyear’sEcofestinApril,providinganopportunityforthe communitytoengagedirectlywiththepassionateindividualsbehindthefilm.

ECOFEST 2024

North-WestTasmania'sbiggestsustainabilityfestivalreturnstoCampClayton,Ulverstone,Saturday6 April,tocelebrateallthingssustainability!

NRMareexcitedtosponsorthiseventagainandwillhaveastallreadytochataboutsustainableliving.

WoolworthsJuniorLandcareGrants–NOWOPEN

LandcareAustraliahasapartnershipwithWoolworthstomanagetheWoolworthsJuniorLandcare Grantsprogram Nowopenforapplicationsare$1,000grantstohelpengagestudentsinprojectsthat supporttheenvironment.OpentoprimaryschoolsandearlylearningcentresacrossAustralia,the WoolworthsJuniorLandcaregrantsprogramgiveschildrenacrossthecountryanopportunitytoget hands-onwithenvironmentalandsustainabilityprojects,learnnewskillsandknowledge,connectwith theirpeersandenjoythewell-beingbenefitsoftimespentoutdoorsinnature Applicationsaredueby 15March https://juniorlandcareorgau/grant/2024-woolworths-junior-landcare-grants/

GallagherLandcareElectricFenceGrants-EOI'SNOWOPEN

TheGallagherandLandcareAustraliaElectricFencingGrantsprovidesupportforconservationand biodiversityprotectionprojectsalignedwiththepriorityareasofConservationExclusion/Inclusion FencingandRiparianProtectionandFarmDamRestorationonagriculturalland.

Atotalpoolof$176,000worthofGallagherpermanentelectricfencingproduct,withupto22grants available,eachvaluedat$8,000

EligibleapplicantscansubmitanExpressionofInterestfortheGallagherLandcareElectricFencing Grant2024viatheLandcareAustraliaGrantssiteuntilMonday15April2024(midnight).

LANDCARE GRANTS UP FOR GRABS 2024

FOOLING THE OLFACTORY SYSTEM

– A SOLUTION TO PERSISTENT PLANT-EATERS?

Hungryherbivoresareavexingissueforconservationists,farmersandforestersalike. Whilemanyofusliketoencouragewildlife,toomanypersistentplant-eaterscan devastaterevegetationeffortsandpost-firerecovery,destroyingmore thanhalftheseedlingsinsomeareas.Intheirrecentpublicationin NatureEcologyandEvolution(andsummarisedinTheConversation), scientistsfromtheUniversityofSydneyhavetrialledmethodsof using“smellyvirtualneighbours”todeterherbivoresfrom browsingonpreciousseedlings.

Wherecullingandfencingarenolongerprovingthebestor mostcost-effectivewayofdealingwithherbivores, alternativemanagementtoolshavebeenexplored,taking advantageofan“olfactorymisinformation”technique

Previously,scientistshavefocusedonwhatwallabiesare feedingon,butthisexperimenthasusedintelonwhatthey avoid.

ByusingvialsofcompoundsthatsimulatethescentofBoronia pinatta(wallabies’leastfavouriteshrub)placedaround eucalyptseedlings,researchershavefoundtheir experimentliterallyputthewallabiesoffthescent oftheirpreferredmeal!

Seedlingswere20timeslesslikelytobe eatenwhensurroundedbyvirtualsmells thanforcontrolsusingemptyvialsor none.Theresultswereequivalentto usingrealB.pinnataplants,but betterbecausevialsdon’t competewithseedlingsfor waterandotherresources.

We’llbewatchingtheprogress ofthisresearchcloselyforour newKingIslandthreatened birdproject;it’sextratoughto restorehabitattherebecause ofthehugenumbersof Bennett’sWallabies…maybe someunappetisingaromaswill provideasolution!

Top: Boronia pinnatta, an aromatic shrub that wallabies avoid Right: One of many Bennett's Wallabies on King Island Photos: iNaturalist

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

WHAT

Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants

Tasmanian Dairy Conference

WHERE AND MORE INFO

https://juniorlandcare org au/grant/2024woolworths-junior-landcare-grants/

https://www dairyaustralia com au/eventscalendar/tasmanian-dairyconference/a3aIS0000004dNRYAY

WHEN

15 March

Fri 22 March

Tasmanian Landcare nominations

NW Ecofest

Know Your Local Patch Devonport: Bug Hunt!

Gallagher Landcare Electric Fencing grants

Comments on Foxglove declaration due

Wings on King

Agfest

Where? Where? Wedgie!

https://landcareaustralia.org.au/landcareawards-2023

Camp Clayton, Ulverstone

https://www.ecofesttas.com.au/

Tasmanian Arboretum, Eugenana

https://www.landcaretas.org.au/know your loc al patch devonport bug hunt

EOI's open:

https://landcareaustralia org au/gallaghergrants/

To have your say submit to:

https://nre.tas.gov.au/invasivespecies/weeds/proposed-declaration-of-digitalisspecies-(foxgloves)

Anyone interested in birds, both experienced or otherwise, are invited.

https://www birdsofkingisland com/wings-on-king

https://events.ticketbooth.com.au/event/agfest2024-tasmania-s-premier-field-days

Booking open:

https://naturetrackers au/projects/where-wherewedgie/

Closes 31 March

Sat 6 April

Sat 13 April

15 April

Closes 5pm on 21 April

25 - 28 April

2 - 4 May

10 - 12 May & 24 - 26 May

1-3 Spring St, Burnie, Tasmania, 7320 03 6433 8400

www.cradlecoast.com

www.facebook.com/CradleCoastNRM/