by Basil | May 24, 2018 | Green Skills Inc. - Sustainability Non-Profit
A snapshot survey of the Glendavale property, adjoining Monjebup Bush Heritage conservation reserve was undertaken on 6th March 2018 by a survey team to prioritise future site works and management actions to be conducted on the property.
This farm is situated about 25km east of Borden, north east of the Stirling Range National Park.
A report from the survey is available for download here.
This property provides an important eco link within the Forest to Stirlings section of Gondwana Link. Glendavale farm is approximately 4358 hectares located on 6 separate land titles. The majority of the property has been cleared for agricultural activities and many of the remaining vegetated areas, including waterways, are being managed for conservation.
A rapid vegetation survey was undertaken on Glendavale recording a range of core attributes for 26 remnant vegetation, restoration and revegetation sites. Core attributes selected included vegetation type, vegetation condition, size of the area, connectivity to other vegetation and observed or potential disturbances and threats.
Numerous sites are connected to other areas of remnant vegetation, restoration plantings or revegetation sites.
Green Skills gratefully acknowledge the landholders of Glendavale Farm, Stuart and Ali Hocking, as well as Angela Sanders (Bush Heritage Australia Ecologist), Karl Hansom (South Coast NRM Biodiversity Program Leader) and Bill and Jane Thompson (local residents and bush enthusiasts) for their time, expertise and knowledgeable contribution to these surveys and for their long-term commitment to the conservation and restoration of the Gondwana Link landscape: http://www.gondwanalink.org/
Valuable feedback on a draft version of this report were received including from Angela Sanders, Amanda Keesing, Karl Hansom and Bill &Jane Thompson.
This project is supported by funding from the Western Australian Government’s State Natural Resource Management Program, supported by Royalties for Regions. The support of Gondwana Link Ltd is also acknowledged.
This report was prepared by Melissa Howe B.Sc. (Environmental Management) with input from Green Skills Project Officer, Basil Schur.
Glendavale Survey March 2018
Bill and Jane Thompson on a bushland site
Weland needing fencing on Glendavale, with Stirling Ranges behind
Survey team near a break away remnant bushland area
by | Apr 3, 2018 | Green Skills Inc. - Sustainability Non-Profit
The Senecio Glastifolius Eradication in the Albany Region project was extremely fortunate to have been delivered during the time of the federally funded Green Army program. This provided capacity and a fantastic opportunity to effectively mass-involve youth, at least 104 participants contributing over 36,000 hours, in 1777 hectares of weed monitoring and control program continuously for the projects duration in late 2016 to late 2017.
We were able to more than double our monitoring efforts,through grid search lines, through sheer people power on-ground. This monitoring effort also contributed to comprehensive mapping that enabled a strategic approach to control works and planning potential eradication. Being fully informed of the extent of the range of Senecio make future efforts more achievable.
It was unfortunate that community volunteers identified a new Senecio infestation outside the 10km radius of Albany. What was fortunate though, the sites were treated by the Green Army effort. This site will be prioritised and will need ongoing surveillance to ensure no further spread. De-heading and bagging flowers to prevent wind dispersal Before works Flower heads removed from site Senecio plants uprooted and left to dry.
A lot of credit must go to the City of Albany reserves and fire management staff for their support, knowledge and participation in two Think Tanks and supporting and supplementing Senecio control with Work for the Dole programs, Bushcarers and Friends OF group busy bees. Other contributors include John Moore from the now Department of Primary Industries and Development and David McNamara for sharing his extensive historical knowledge and experience.
You can read the FULL REPORT HERE
State NRM Id# A15078
Project Team: March 2018
Anne Sparrow, David McNamara, Mat Kirkman, Jasmyn Kirkman, Bernard De Bunnetat
by Laura | Mar 14, 2018 | Green Skills Inc. - Sustainability Non-Profit
Ecojobs staff Jan van der Walt and Steven Spragg have been working hard to bring the bully bullrush (Typha orientalis) down!
Wetlands need careful management where this invasive and aggressive species of Typha grows. Typha infestations interfere with water flow (restricting access to water by wildlife), shorten bore drains, reduce water quality, and provide breeding grounds for vermin and mosquitoes.
This week, Jan and Steve are trialling a few methods of removing T. orientalis: pulling the rhizome, cutting back and drowning the plants. Some of the rhizomes are huge! (see photo)
This wetland will soon be ready for the 2018 planting season, and the Typha stands replaced with native wetland species.
Need some help? We have a great team of knowledgeable staff at Green Skills and Ecojobs. Contact our Perth office 9360 6667 or email [email protected]
by Basil | Feb 15, 2018 | Green Skills Inc. - Sustainability Non-Profit
Between the 9th and 11th February 2018, Green Skills held a “Seeing Like an Eagle” eco art and photographic weekend at the Porongurup in conjunction with the Friends of The Porongurup group.
The weekend had input from artist Nikki Green (nikkigreen.com.au) and environmentalist Basil Schur and had a focus on the Ranges Link which forms part of the Gondwana Link. Outings were held to the Twin Creeks Conservation Reserve, Lake Kaimerndyip and Castel Rock in the National Park
Designer Donna Chapman will use photos of these art creations InDesign as overlays on a aerial photograph of the scenic country between the Porongurup and Stirling Ranges. The aim is to create a visually striking billboard size artwork that will help promote the eco-restoration work of Gondwana Link and local groups.
This weekend workshop is linked to the Green Skills’ South Coast Festival of Birds and Gondwana Wetland projects, supported by funding from Lotterywest and the Western Australian Government’s State Natural Resource Management Program, supported by Royalties for Regions.
Done aerial photography by Simon Blears was a part of the weekend – here at Lake Kaimerndyip
Aerial photography of Lake Kaimerndyip taken with drone technology on the weekend. Photo by Simon Blears
Aerial photo of the Weekend group at Lake Kaimerndyip taken by a drone. Photo by Simon Blears
Art workshop at the Porongurup led by Nikki Green.
Group out at Twin Creeks soaking in the diverse bushland environment.
The Weekend Workshop was based at the Porongurup Shop’s art studio room.
by Basil | Feb 15, 2018 | Green Skills Inc. - Sustainability Non-Profit
On Wednesday 14th February 2018 , Green Skills and Gillamii Centre held a “Help The Hoodie” field trip around salt lakes on farms in the Cranbrook area.
The field trip commenced at the Bob’s Lake Bird hide, on the Lehmann farm, north east of Cranbrook and visited 4 lakes on farms, The event provided a focus on this special bird and how conserving foreshores of local lakes will benefit the Hooded Plover, a species at risk of becoming endangered. Green Skills working with the Gillamii Centre, is keen to provide ongoing assistance for farmers to fence off their salt lakes and control feral predators, such as foxes. in 2018 three local farming familties ( the Lehmann, Pech and Bradshaw families) will be undertaking salt lake foreshore fencing programs supported through landcare grants.
This project is supported by funding from the Western Australian Government’s State Natural Resource Management Program, supported by Royalties for Regions. The event is part of Green Skills’ wetland conservation activities and has also been supported through local farming families and also formed part of the South Coast Festival of Birds, supported by Lotterywest ( see https://birdfestival.greenskills.org.au/ ) . The Gillamii Centre is supported by the Shire of Cranbrook.
Pair of Hooded Plovers visit from Bobs Lake Bird Hide, Cranbrook
Poster promoting the event
Sheep on the edge of Cranrbook’s salt lakes pose a big threat to shore nesting shorebirds such as the Hooded Plover, a species at risk of becoming endangered
Field Day participants at Tom South Lake, a hooded plover hot-spot near Cranbrook. Green Skills is developing plans for a 3.5 km fence to protect this lake from stock.
At the Bob’s Lake Bird Hide on the Lehmann Farm near Cranbrook.
Sandy Lehmann looking at Hooded Plovers from the Bird Hide
The Field Trip visited a recently fenced lake on the Lehmann farm, a project supported by Gillamiii, Green Skills and the National Landcare Program
There are many salt lakes on the North side of the Stirling Ranges, many in need of fencing and feral animal control
