arrangement in natural ecosystems, with the term coined by Tasmanians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren during the 1960’s as they developed a system which worked with rather than against nature, and considered all functions of plants and animals in the system. The second field trip visited a truffle farm, where oak trees inoculated with black truffle inoculum (Tuber melanosporum) were observed producing a veritable bounty of truffles The third field trip visited a diverse multi enterprise farm on Canberra’s urban fringe, where cattle, niche micro greens and mobile egg production were showcased.
The two-day conference kicked off with a Welcome to Country from elder Wally Bell, welcoming all present to Ngunawal country This gathering of people provided a forum for the SAFs to reconnect with colleagues from around the nation, and to welcome new members into the network. Numerous staff from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) were on hand throughout the conference to present, chat to and listen about issues affecting the farming sector across Australia. Panel discussions covered what the SAF role is, carbon farming and opportunities in the rapidly developing environmental markets space
Inspiring keynote speeches were presented by Alexandra Gartman (Chair, Australian Farm Institute) on sustainable agriculture in Australia, and Professor Mark Howden (Director, Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions – Australian National University) on climate change and how Australian agriculture can respond Guest presentations also provided insight into the carbon farming outreach program, and the nature repair market and agriculture stewardship pilot programs Discussions on the national biosecurity strategy and action plan in addition to the national soil action plan and how the SAF network can be involved rounded out day two, with all leaving inspired and refreshed.
The conference was hosted by NRM Regions Australia who should be proud of the event and atmosphere, with proceedings well facilitated by Justin Bellanger
Tasmanian SAFs - Left to right; Tom O’Malley (CCNRM), Tim Ackroyd and Yolanda Hanusch (NRM South) and Pete Heading (NRM North) at the 2024 SAF conference
SOIL MOISTURE AND RAINFALL,
The past few seasons have seen much of Tasmania experience warm and dry conditions not observed for some time.
Conditions led the Inland Fisheries Service to cancel the popular Liawenee trout weekend in late May due to dry conditions and limited rain forecast for the first time ever
Compounding the dry autumn conditions and poor pasture growth has been the declining availability of fodder for livestock producers, and reduced abattoir capacity.
Over a four-month period from February through to May this year, most of the Cradle Coast region has reported rainfall levels which are either ‘severely deficient’ or ‘lowest on record’
Looking back further
Over a nine-month period from September 2023 to May 2024, it can be observed that this trending deficiency in rainfall began in early spring last year From September last year, the King Island and Circular Head municipalities, as well as a good section of Waratah-Wynyard, have reported the lowest rainfalls on record, with the rest of the arable land in the region reporting severely deficient rainfall (Figure 1 – Nine-month rainfall deficiency for Tasmania 01/09/2023-31/05/2024).
Looking at rainfall in more detail using data recorded in Burnie as an example, the lowest falls on record have occurred for three of the past nine months. September last year saw a total of 40.2 mm, down from the average across all years of 84.9 mm. February and March this year reported paltry monthly totals of 6.2 mm and 16.2 mm, failing to approach the average totals for these months across all years of data recording of 42 4 mm and 72 9 mm respectively Four of the remaining six-monthly totals for this period from September last year were also well below the monthly averages.
Figure 1.
WHAT DO THE NUMBERS TELL US?
What are these numbers telling us?
While winter rainfall during 2023 was reasonable and soil moisture at depth was replenished, poor spring rainfall led to this stored moisture being used quickly as the rate of pasture growth increased As the top 10 cm of the soil profile lost moisture from plant growth and evaporation, it dried out reducing its ability to retain moisture that might be applied Plants began extracting moisture from deeper and deeper within the soil profile, resulting in accumulated soil moisture at depth declining rapidly leading to dryland pastures drying off earlier and yielding below average fodder volumes. Total rainfall for the calendar year for Burnie in 2023 was 788.2 mm, down on the average annual total of 957 6 mm
How is 2024 shaping up?
Again, using the Burnie weather station as an example, across all years on average 310.8 mm of rainfall had fallen by the end of May This year Burnie has reported 196 8 mm of rainfall to the end of May, and around 110 mm down compared to the average Burnie would therefore need around 750 mm for the remainder of the year to get close to the average. This suggests that soil moisture at depth has not been recharged and confirmed when checking against summed soil moisture data from Burnie.
Useful tools
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) website has a network of weather stations reporting daily rainfall and temperature amongst other things and can be a good place to start
A neat tool available is the ‘Farming Forecaster’ weather station network (https://www.farmingforecaster.com.au/index). Farming Forecaster reports soil moisture in real time at differing depths, showing how rainfall (and irrigation) events affect soil moisture levels through the profile This tool also provides an estimate of forecast pasture growth, using historical data to model how much dry matter might be produced under current conditions over the next few months.
Another useful tool (subscription required) is the ‘Wild Eye’ weather station and probe network operated by Ag Logic Wild Eye provides real time data on rainfall, temperature, soil moisture at different depths, summed soil moisture and evapotranspiration
Using any of these data sources and tools can provide information on the current status of rainfall, soil moisture and projected pasture growth which can inform decision making around how early or late to start irrigating, managing stock levels, projected fodder production and drought-lotting
STRAHAN’S HEALTHY HARBOUR TEAM
As part of the Australian Government’s Maugean Skate recovery actions, Cradle Coast NRM recently launched its Healthy Harbour Project Macquarie Harbour is the heartland of both the endangered Maugean Skate and the historical township of Strahan, and the Healthy Harbour Project is helping to build a strong community that cares about its Harbour.
Project Officers Jason Cullen and Harriet Brinkhoff, are based out of an office-shopfront in the old Union Steamship Building on the Strahan Esplanade, with opening hours Tuesday - Thursday from 9am to 5pm. Biodiversity Program Manager, Iona Flett, helps with the project from Burnie.
Scientific assessments undertaken by UTAS’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) show that recent climatic events and anthropogenic practices have caused changes to Macquarie Harbour's complex water dynamics, affecting the harbour's ecological processes A dramatic decrease of dissolved oxygen levels in Macquarie Harbour is thought to be a key factor in the decline of the Maugean Skate population.
The Healthy Harbour office will serve as a communication hub where up-to-date information can be shared between all stakeholders, including community members, scientists, industry and government The office can provide educational materials, updates on recovery actions, opportunities for views and any concerns to be shared as well as advice on how to get involved. A range of consultation and engagement activities are planned to further connect West Coast residents with Macquarie Harbour and the surrounding environment through art workshops, natural history outings, stakeholder presentations and citizen science events
The first of these was a Q&A evening in mid-May with speakers from the Macquarie Harbour Oxygenation Project (MHOP), a collaboration between IMAS, Salmon Tasmania and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. MHOP has deployed a barge which pumps oxygen-saturated water into deep waters, to try to increase dissolved oxygen levels
The following week the team headed to Macquarie Heads and the Henty Dunes where members of the West Coast community participated in NatureTrackers’ annual Where? Where? Wedgie! survey. This citizen science project encourages participants to observe and record birds of prey and white cockatoo sightings around Tasmania. Our Healthy Harbour survey team were treated to magnificent weather and stunning views of soaring Wedge-tailed Eagles, White-bellied Sea Eagles, a Brown Falcon and the raucous backdrop noise of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos flying over Macquarie Harbour and its beautiful surrounds
AND THE WINTER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL
Then when the days were at their shortest and the mornings at their frostiest, it was time for Strahan’s inaugural Winter Solstice Festival! The team decided to celebrate darkness: skates love their dark harbour, and many other native animals need dark skies to thrive (see the article on page 19 about light pollution).
The Healthy Harbour Project Office became a hub for kids getting involved with " dark harbour, dark skies" themed art and crafts activities, including a very successful treasure hunt. There was also a night walk at Hogarth Falls , a “sun-printing” art workshop, and many other unique activities on over the weekend.
MEET THE TEAM
Jason has recently moved to Tasmania from interstate with a background in biodiversity conservation and environmental protection, working in bush-regeneration, wildlife keeping and running native flora workshops. Harriet has been an active West Coast community member for the past several years working within the local tourism industry and representing the Strahan Aquaculture Forum on the National Maugean Skate Recovery Team, as well as being the cofounder and current Vice President of the Friends of the Henty Wildcare group
Everyone is welcome to contact and/or drop in to the office to learn more about current and future project activities, and how they can participate and help protect the Maugean Skate, and improve the wider health of the harbour. A safe future for the Maugean Skate and a healthy Macquarie Harbour is something that benefits us all!
The Healthy Harbour project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by Cradle Coast NRM, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.
THREE HUMMOCK WRAP UP
Since late 2018, Cradle Coast NRM staff have been working with project partners Biosecurity Tasmania and Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service to remove feral cats from a remote State Reserve 40 km north of Smithton, Three Hummock Island.
Initially, an assessment was completed to learn about cat numbers and locations (Stage 1). In mid2019, a new project was initiated with Australian Government National Landcare Program funding. This 4-year project (Stage 2) allowed us to undertake cat control activities and habitat improvement work, aiming to create a stronghold for the EPBC-listed Hooded Plover, and other native species
In June 2023, a 12-month extension was granted. This was Stage 3 of the Three Hummock Island work, and it has just wrapped up.
Analysis of the remote wildlife camera data by UTAS PhD candidate Alexandra Paton has demonstrated a remarkable reduction in cat activity on the Island over the years of monitoring
During 44,511 days of camera trap operation, there were 154,255 animal detections (called “events”). Photos captured were of 67 different species including 54 species of bird, 3 species of reptile, and 7 species of mammal. Brush-tailed Possums and Tasmanian Pademelons featured in more than 40,000 events each!
While the two rounds of poison baiting using “Curiosity” toxic sausages did not have an obvious response in cat activity recorded, each time a cat was targeted by a Felixer cat grooming trap, the cat activity on the cameras, measured in “proportion of days with events”, was reduced.
The cats of Three Hummock Island are unusual in that most of them are orange cats (26 tortoiseshell cat events and 1,128 orange cat events) and a high proportion have kinked tails. These are both likely signs of inbreeding depression, and suggests that there was only ever a small population of cats on the island
The camera data analysis has allowed us to look for responses in the populations of other species to the project’s management interventions and to the reduction in cats Corvids (ravens and currawongs), rats and Brush-tailed Possums do not appear to have reduced activity, reassuring us that there were no population-level impacts on these omnivorous species as a result of poison baiting.
Ring-tailed Possums and the two quail species of the island are among the native species that are vulnerable to feral cat predation and will be benefiting from reduced cat activity. There are indications of increased activity in these two species during the project, but we can’t differentiate between likely reasons for this, including possibly a climatically great couple of years for possum and quail food, or a quirk of our camera placement.
How does a Felixer work?
The Felixer cat grooming trap is an innovative method for controlling feral cat populations The device contains an AI-equipped camera, a data processing unit and cartridges of 1080 poison.
When the device identifies the animal passing in front of its camera as a cat, it squirts a dose of gel containing 8 mg of 1080 poison (sodium fluoroacetate) onto the animal’s fur. The poison is then ingested when the animal grooms its fur This takes advantage of the fact that feral cats are often reluctant to enter traps, but they do instinctively and fastidiously groom themselves, unlike native animals
Despite the Australian Government funding, and our best efforts over five years, there are, frustratingly, still a few cats appearing on the camera traps of Three Hummock Island! Stage 4 of the project continues to December with five Felixers in place, silently working away and waiting for the remaining cats to walk past and be targeted
THANKYOU to the many people that have been part of the project over the years!
Three Hummock Island caretakers and intrepid island companions, Taylor, Jesse, Karyn and Pete Our all-important all-weather transporters, Alex, Chauncey and Michael. Parks support from Ben, Lara and Andrea. The Thylation crew, especially Andrew and John. Matt’s colleagues Marcelle, Mike, Sue and Haylee The amazing Alex Paton and her supervisors Barry and Jessie and volunteer assistant Carlos. All Iona’s colleagues esp. Tom, Fox, Kylie, Margot, and of course, Spencer. All the wonderful Friends of Three Hummock Island volunteers Curiosity prep volunteers including The Albatross Island crew and Phil BirdLife Australia experts Grainne, Dan and Sonia. Aboriginal Heritage experts Rocky and Stuart. And all the other wonderful visitors, advisors, helpers and lovers of Three Hummock that made our trips more fun, Simon, David, Matthew, Ray, Jarrod, Colin, Roy, Mel, Rob 1, Rob 2, the Osbourne crew and the Tas Heli crew. Thanks mates!
WEIRD WINTER WEATHER
A drier-than-usual Autumn and mild temperatures up until June have seen local naturalists noting some unusual phenomena
Prime fungi season has been later this year, and it has only been towards the solstice that the colourful north-west fungi has been brightening our bushwalks.
A beetle resting on a fungi in the Circular Head area.
Image: Thomas McMahon, Tasmanian Fungi FB page
An Anemone Stinkhorn outside the Healthy Harbour Project Office in Strahan The stinkhorns smell like rotting flesh to attract flies to disperse their spores! They were the first Australian fungi to be described by Europeans, after Labillardière came across them in Tasmania.
Ulverstone Antiques dealer and local frog specialist, Craig Broadfield, found that his usual Autumn Tasmanian Tree Frog spotting sites were still dry
Craig said “Despite popular belief, our western Tasmanian endemic Tasmanian tree frog, Litoria burrowsae, actually breeds once the Autumn rains start But this year, some of the ponds that I search on the West Coast were still dry in May
I headed back in late June and although the ponds had been topped up by recent rainfall, the very low temperatures being experienced over the preceding weeks have delayed breeding. Apart from a few southern brown tree frogs and Tasmanian froglets, no other frog calls were to be heard. No egg clusters from either tree frog species were observed.
This species is pretty amazing. It depends on tannin puddles in the buttongrass, and has a big range, all west of the Mersey River. It is prone to developing chytrid fungus in captivity once it is removed from its natural habitat, but responds well if I treat it as soon as I collect specimens, and is one of my favourite Tasmanian frogs,” said Craig.
If you’re out and about in the highlands or western Tasmania over the next few weeks, you can use the Frog ID app to identify any calls you hear and check whether you’re in the presence of this unique amphibian.
You can catch Craig talking about Litoria burrowsae at a number of events over the second half of 2024; including during Science Week at The Hive in Ulverstone.
Litoria burrowsae images: Craig Broadfield
TUFA TERRACES
King Island Field Naturalists’ recent “walk and explore” of Boggy Creek on the west coast of King Island, and its remarkable rock formations, has raised questions about recent changes they observed
What are Tufa Terraces?
The Tufa Terraces are coastal pools that probably started forming 5000 to 6000 years ago. This was when the sea level stabilised at approximately the level it is today The pools are composed of calcium carbonate, originating from dunes just inland from the coast with a very high shell content When it rains, water percolates through the topsoil becoming slightly acidic, then percolates further and dissolves the lime out of the dunes and then continues to flow down towards the sea where it comes out onto the surface as a spring. The water chemistry changes, becoming less acidic and precipitating lime over rough spots such as rocks or the pool edges. These are known as rim stone pools and they continue to grow today
The Boggy Creek Tufa Terraces are the best examples in Australia!
Because of this in 2021, King Island Landcare received funding through Australian Government’s Caring for our Country initiative to protect ‘Boggy Creek Geo-heritage Site’
This involved conservation efforts to:
Install fencing to protect Coastal Complex
(an endangered plant community)
Pulling Sea Spurge (an invasive non-native)
Planting native plants to stop Sea Spurge spreading inland.
During the King Island Field Naturalists’ trip in early April, there were concerns about new and unexplained algal growth and silt and oil deposition in the rim stone pools where there was once clear water
The Field Nats are searching for answers about the health of this unique coastal ecosystem; it’s a special landscape worth protecting.
Image: Tufa Terraces (Rim Stone Pools) – Boggy Creek, King Island Landcare
SOIL AMENDMENTS FROM THE SEA
Kelp-destroying Long-spined Sea Urchins, Centrostephanus rodgersii, are a pest of the East Coast of Tasmania. But scientists from the University of Tasmania may have found a use for them.
Following from the idea of transforming Bull Kelp into fertiliser, processed urchin waste (SUW) has been found to be as effective as a commercial liming product at improving soil pH and therefore making soil nutrients more available to crops. Field trials continue.
Macquarie Harbour fishers have their ears open to possibilities for finding a use for another marine invasive, European Green Crabs Could harvesting and converting to soil amendments be a way to deal with these otherwise harmful pests in the future?
Fig 1. TL: Longspinedsea urchin barren on the East Coast of Tasmania, TR: harvested urchin with premium yellow roe, BR: processed urchin waste (shells, spines, gut contents), BL: urchin waste product spread on organic apple orchard Credit: UTAS TIA
HAVE YOU SMELLED A GRAYLING?
The Australian Grayling (Prototroctes maraena) is a silvery, streamlined fish, growing to 30 cm, and native to south-eastern Australia including Tasmania. Believe it or not, you can recognise a grayling by its distinctive cucumber smell when freshly caught!
The Australian Grayling is listed as vulnerable under both Commonwealth and Tasmanian legislation, and strictly protected. Once widespread across NSW, Victoria, and Tasmania, the grayling's population has declined and become patchy.
They are “diadromous” migratory fish, with adults living and breeding in freshwater, while their larvae are swept downstream to the sea. After spending about six months in estuaries and coastal areas, juveniles return to freshwater habitats. They typically spawn at two years of age, with some males maturing within one year. Despite a wide distribution and range of suitable habitats, it is likely that spawning, refuge, and juvenile habitats are limited and most individuals only spawn once Therefore, proposed recovery actions need to identify all the different habitats used throughout a grayling’s lifecycle.
A major threat to this species is the construction of barriers to fish movement which prevent adults migrating upstream and larvae moving downstream Land clearing, particularly near waterways, is also a threat due to reduced shading and increased sedimentation
Introduced trout species threaten the Australian Grayling through predation, competition, and disease transmission. Trout are known to prey on small grayling and are also likely to compete for habitat An invasive fungus, Saprolegnia, was introduced along with northern hemisphere salmonids, and this caused an epidemic in 1869/70 that killed thousands of Australian Graylings and almost completely removed them from the rivers of southern Tasmania
Stay tuned for news from the CCNRM Biodiversity Program about how we’re helping Grayling populations recover. As always with our threatened species projects, you can help by photographing any sightings of graylings and uploading the record to iNaturalist.
Australian Grayling - Source Tarmo A Raadik
INKWEED CREEPING IN
For years, King Island weed experts have been battling a “mainland weed” that had made it to King Island, but not the rest of Tasmania.
Inkweed, also known as Phytolacca octandra, is a South American invasive that is easily spread by birds and can take over native vegetation, destroying habitat This vigorous plant has green to red stems and grows as a succulent with narrow oval-shaped leaves, reaching heights of up to 2 meters. Its flowers start off white to pale green and then turn purple to black on racemes that are 7 to 15 centimetres long. It's important to note that all parts of the plant are toxic
Unfortunately, King Island is not the only Tasmanian location with Inkweed now. It has been recorded at three locations in Burnie, and a few more towards the midlands. The weed has yet to be declared in Tasmania
If you see this plant, or you are suspicious that you might be looking at Inkweed, please get in touch with your local Council Weeds Officer, or Biosecurity Tasmania for advice about treatment
At this stage of the infestation, we still have a chance to stop its spread if we are vigilant!
Thank you to Burnie City Council NRM Officer, Phil Hrstich, for his valuable contribution to this article.
Inkweed images: Phil Hrstich
RIPARIAN GUIDELINES
Under the Giant Freshwater Crayfish Project, our river specialist Fiona Marshall has put together a really useful guide for landholders on how to manage their riparian areas.
It contains 33 pages of practical information on how to manage and look after your river corridor areas and what to consider when you want to undertake activities such as fencing, revegetation, installing crossings, weed control or managing woody debris in rivers.
With over 30 years’ of experience in working in the river environment, with both rural and urban landholders, Fiona provides lots of useful tips and suggestions about managing the river corridor and the in-stream environment. Access to the publication is available here Managing riparian areas by Cradle Coast Authority - Issuu
GUIDELINES FOR WORKS IN, AND MANAGEMENT OF, LITTLE PENGUIN HABITATS.
By Perviz Marker, Anna Wind and Eric Woehler. May 2024.
To undertake works of any description in Little Penguin habitat, it is important to understand why, how, and what needs to be done to maintain and protect Little Penguins nesting and moulting habitats. The ‘Guidelines for works in, and management of, Little Penguin habitats‘ is a significant update and revision from the earlier Guidelines for Works in areas of Little Penguin Habitat (Marker and Wind 2008) It draws on more than a decade of research, knowledge, and management of Little Penguins (Eudyptula minor) in Tasmania.
This document provides current guidelines for best practice in mitigating threats and maintaining habitat for Little Penguins The document has been reviewed by NRE and CAS and has their support
PLAYING OUR PART IN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Recognising the critical role of NRM organisations in supporting emergency preparedness and response, the Australian Government invited Cradle Coast NRM to develop a 'Biodiversity and Agricultural Natural Capital Emergenc Preparedness and Response Plan' (EPR Plan)
The development of the EPR Plan reflects a proactive approach to addressing the growing challenges posed by natural disasters in northwest Tasmania. By leveraging local knowledge, stakeholder engagement, and strategic partnerships, Cradle Coast NRM aims to enhance the region's resilience and safeguard its natural assets for future generations
The EPR Plan will be publicly available on our website soon.
CASTRA FALLS SECURED FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS
The Central Coast Council has signed a lease agreement with Sustainable Timber Tasmania, allocating responsibility for the care and management of Castra Falls and its surrounding area, totalling approximately 48 hectares, to the Council. This arrangement establishes the area as a public recreational reserve for the community’s enjoyment.
Situated on Permanent Timber Production Zone land managed by Sustainable Timber Tasmania, the area’s lease spans ten years, granting the Central Coast Council the option for renewal to maintain ongoing stewardship
Mayor Cheryl Fuller, of the Central Coast Council, said “Castra Falls is a very special place that holds important natural values.”
“Five waterfalls and an abundance of wildlife and flora are just a few of the many reasons why this place is so highly valued and appreciated by the community,” said Mayor Fuller.
Sustainable Timber Tasmania has confirmed that it has no plans to conduct forest operations at Castra Falls and is pleased with this positive outcome for the Central Coast community
LANDCARE TASMANIA CELEBRATES 30 YEARS
Congratulations to Landcare Tasmania, who recently celebrated 30 years of Landcare in Tasmania. Since 1994, Landcare Tasmania have been supporting local communities to care for our land and coasts, farms and reserves, waterways and wildlife.
The organisation celebrated by sharing cake and getting their hands dirty with some of their passionate member Landcare groups.
AGFEST FIELD DAYS 2024
For another successful year, the Cradle Coast NRM team enjoyed a bustling and sunny Agfest Over three days Fiona, Ben, Hannah and Kylie connected with people from all over our state, sharing their knowledge and passion for Tasmania's natural resources.
Agfest goers were especially interested in our work with the Giant Freshwater Crayfish - the largest freshwater crayfish in the world and found only in the rivers of northern Tasmania
Thank you to NRM North, NRM South and NRE Tas for such great company, connections and organisation of the NRE tent on South Street.
Image: Castra Falls by Craig Doumouras, Waterfalls of Tasmania
AMAZING DISCOVERIES AT THE TASMANIAN ARBORETUM KNOW YOUR LOCAL PATCH –
A day of bug hunting was on the agenda as families ventured out into the forests and waterways of The Tasmanian Arboretum in Eugenana on 13 April 2024
Joined by scientists Clare Hawkins and Lynne Foster, curious children and their parents learned techniques to identify insects and spiders, as well as some of their fascinating traits and behaviours.
A special guest, Nicola Richardson, was on hand with her Leafy Stick Insects for a showand-tell session, which was a big hit as people enjoyed the experience of seeing these incredible insects up close.
After a lively exploration session, families dispersed throughout the arboretum, exploring its unique plants and waterways Some went platypus spotting, while others created artwork showcasing the bugs they had discovered. Many participants said they were keen to continue identifying insects in their own backyards, using their newfound skills
This community event, organised by Landcare Tasmania’s Know Your Local Patch program, attracted 60 north-west locals to the Tasmanian Arboretum
Know Your Local Patch is a successful school holiday program running across Tasmania. Launched in 2023, the program helps children connect with their local Landcare groups, with the aim of fostering a sense of curiosity, respect, and stewardship towards the environment among children. With a changing world, it has become increasingly vital to connect younger generations with nature
Want to join in more events like this?
Check out our Know Your Local Patch school holiday program calendar to find an upcoming event
Thanks to the Bookend Trust for helping on the day. The event was made possible by funding from the Department of Premier and Cabinet's Premier's Fund for Children and Young People
Written by: Dawn Green Landcare Tasmania communications & marketing manager
Photos by: Cynthia Schaap
, , g g g ommon?
They are among the thousands of animal species around the world that are badly affected by human light pollution, or Artificial Light At Night (ALAN).
Research about the impacts of ALAN is collated each year by the organisation Dark Sky International, and they have just released their 2024 State of the Science Report Research confirms that humancaused ALAN affects the world in so many ways, from plant pollination to air pollution, to human health and well-being.
Dark Sky advocates in Tasmania would like to see a Dark Sky Sanctuary established in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area They say a Dark Sky Sanctuary could:
Enhance the visitor experience of Tasmania’s wilderness areas
Contribute to Tasmania’s tourism brand
Increase opportunities for astro-tourism
Create opportunities for promotion and raises public awareness of light pollution issues
What else can we do?
We can make our own backyards better by thinking carefully about the need for outdoor lighting and its colour, direction, shielding and intensity.
The other great thing about a visible night sky is that it's the best for spotting auroras.
Our newsletter coordinator for the past six issues has gone home to Scotland, but before she left, she snapped the lovely Aurora photo above.
Thank you for all your work Lesley and we hope the northern skies are dark enough to see this magical phenomenon again sometime!
“For billions of years, all life has relied on Earth’s predictable rhythm of day and night It’s encoded in the DNA of all plants and animals. By introducing artificial light to the nighttime landscape, humans have disrupted this natural cycle and altered species’ behaviour and biology. Particularly, light pollution can disorient or inappropriately attract species to lit areas, interfere with ecological interactions like predator-prey relationships, interrupt habitat connectivity, disrupt natural circadian rhythms, and influence species’ ability to detect seasonality ” - Dark Sky International, 2014
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
WHAT
National Tree Day
Introductory to LISTmap
MORE INFO & LINKS
Find an event near you, or register your own site treeday.planetark.org/
Hosted by Resilient Farming Tasmania, learn to map your farm and its resources - free courses in Burnie and Smithton events.humanitix.com/host/resilient-farmingtasmania
WHEN & WHERE
28 July
6 August - Burnie
7 August - Circular Head
National Science Week
TLC Conservation Science Symposium
Penguin Rehab and Release new volunteers training
FPA Research Update 2024
A range of events across the region including: The Science of Chocolate (Latrobe), Circular Head Science Gig (Smithton), Discover CallTrackers (Devonport and Circular Head), The Hive (Ulverstone) Plus more! Check out the full list on the National Science Week website: www.scienceweek.net.au/
Hosted by Tasmanian Land Conservancy, deep dive into the science work being done by the TLC and its partners. events.humanitix.com/science-symposium-2024
Participants can learn more about what the Penguin Rehab and Release do, what your role as a volunteer will be and how you can a part of protecting little penguins in the NW Please contact Kathy Geeveston on 0437565672 for more information and to register.
Hosted by Forest Practices Authority Tasmanian, presentations will include research relating to the Biodiversity, Cultural Heritage and Earth Sciences Programs events.humanitix.com/research-update-2024
10 -18 August
22 August Hobart and online
25 September 5:30 pm - Burnie
22 October Hobart and online
Tasmanian Volunteering Awards 2024
WIRES National Grants Program
Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards
Department of State Growth - Seasonal Conditions Scheme
