bushlandnews Summer 2009-2010

Bushland News Issue 72 - Summer 2009-2010 www.dec.wa.gov.au 1

strategic approach to natural area management by local governments;

• useoftheNaturalAreaInitialAssessment(NAIA)templates by 21 local governments to assess their reserves;

• developmentoftheonlineRegionalNAIADatabaseusinginformationfrom19localgovernments;

• developmentofanonlinespatialenvironmentaldataviewerforenvironmentalplanninghostedbytheDepartmentof AgricultureandFood;

• increasedrecognitionoflocalbiodiversityconservationneedsthroughincreasedresourcingwithin local governments;

• recognitionthatalocalbiodiversitystrategyisacriticalsteptowardsintegratingconservation objectives into landuseplanning;

• extensionoftheprojectmethodologyoutsidethePerth

region through the South West BiodiversityProjectin2006.

ItiswithconsiderableregretthattheSouthWestBiodiversityProjectclosedon30September2009.HostedbytheCityofBunbury,theprojectworkedwith12localgovernmentsandcoordinatedtheSouth West Regional Ecological Linkages(SWREL)project.TheSWREL Technical Report,preparedinpartnershipwithDEC,providesanecologicalframeworkonsustainablelanduseplanning.

NewoutputsforthePBPwillincludethedevelopmentofaregionalframeworkforlocalbiodiversityconservationforthePerthandPeelregions.ManyofthecurrentservicestolocalgovernmentsuchastheNaturalAreaManagementNetworkeNewsletterandforums,andtheMilestoneAwardsprogramwillcontinue.FormoreinformationcontactPBPManager,RenataZelinovaon92132047orrzelinova@walga.asn.au.

bushlandnews

Issue 72

Summer 2009-2010Time of Birak and Bunuru in the Nyoongar calendar.

Urban Nature update Page 2

Weedwatch: Blackberries Page 3

Econote: Christmas spiders Page 4

Dampiera triloba Page 5

Funding Opportunities Page 5

What’s on Page 6

Regional reports Page 6

Sun moth Page 9

Faunal extinctions Page 10

Group profile: Baldivis Children’s Forest Page 11

Resources Page 12

www.dec.wa.gov.au

Bushland News is a quarterly newsletter of Urban Nature, a Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) program to support community involvement in bushland conservation.

AssistinglocalgovernmenttoprotectnaturalassetsBy Renata Zelinova

For the past eight years the Perth Biodiversity Project (PBP) has worked in partnership with 30 local governments and many organisations and groups to promote conservation planning and management of natural areas.

Grant McKinon, Natural Area Manager, City of Swan shares his knowledge of a local reserve during a PBP workshop on Jarrah forest reference sites. Photo – Renata Zelinova

PBPofferstechnicalsupport,trainingandspatialdatasetstolocal governments to assist with strategicbiodiversityconservationplanningandmanagement.Until2008,financialassistanceforlocalgovernmentwasofferedthroughatargetedgrantsschemeand80strategicandon-groundprojectswerefundedinthePerthregion.PBPfacilitatesforumsfornaturalareamanagersandbiodiversityplannerstoencourageacollaborativeapproachandasharingofknowledge.

Theresultingpartnershipshave beenessentialtotheefficacy ofPBPandhaveincludedlocal governments,theWestern AustralianLocalGovernment Association,SwanCatchment Council(nowPerthRegionNRM), GreeningAustraliaWA,Department ofEnvironmentandConservation (DEC),DepartmentofPlanning, BirdsAustraliaWA,andtheAustralianGovernment’sNaturalHeritageTrust(NHT1andNHT2)andCaring for Our Countryprograms.FundingfromtheStateGovernment’s2009–10NRMprogramwillensurethecontinuationofthisprojectforthenext12months.

Keyachievementsoftheprojectinclude:

• Local Government Biodiversity Planning Guidelines for the Perth Metropolitan Region(June2004);

• developmentoflocalbiodiversitystrategiesand/ora

Summer 2009-2010

Bushland News Issue 72 — Summer 2009–2010 www.dec.wa.gov.au2

WeedmanagementonPenguinIslandDECstaffcontinuetheirworktocontrolweedsonPenguinIsland.TheweedmanagementprogramdevelopedbyUrbanNatureaimstoremovepopulationsofinvasiveweedspeciesandreplaceitwithnativeflora.Nativeseaspinach

(Tetragona implexicoma)isanimportantcomponentofcoastalvegetationonPenguinIsland.Itprovideshabitatforpenguins,andthefleshyfruitsareafoodsourceforkingskinksandseabirds.Nativeseaspinachiseasilypropagatedfromthefruitsorcuttings,andwhereitoccursnaturallycouldbeusedtodisplacetheinvasivecoastalweedTetragona decumbens.Theweedcanbeeasilydistinguishedbyitsdry,four-wingedfruit.

UrbanNature UPDATE

It’sbeenabusyspringatUrbanNature.WehavebeeninvolvedinfielddaysatWandiandBullsbrookNatureReserves,TalbotRoadandBrixtonStreet.Springhasalsoseenusorganisingweedmanagementcontracts,assistinginrareflorasurveysandmonitoringtherestorationofplantcommunitiesatourdemonstrationsitesinthehillsandonthecoastalplain.UrbanNaturepresentedresearchonmanagingGeraldtoncarnationweedatthe2009WesternAustralianWeedsConference.AndfollowingonfromthepublicationofmanagementandbiologyinformationongeophytesintheSwan Weeds Database,asetof70woodyweedspecieshasbeenaddedtoFlorabase.Afulllistofthespeciestobecoveredandlinkstoinformationoneachisavailableonhttp://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/weeds/swanweeds/.Workonthedatabasewillnowextendtotheenvironmentalgrassweedswhichareproblematicintheregion.Theaimistohavethisinformationavailablein2010.

Carnaby’sblackcockatoo roost counts

by Dr Geoff Barrett

SummertimeinPerthiswhenwecanlooktotheskiesandseeblacksilhouettesofCarnaby’sblackcockatoosastheyflydownthecoastwiththeirbabiesflappingawkwardlybehindthem.ThismigrationfromthebreedinggroundsinthewheatbelttofeedingareasontheSwanCoastalPlainoccurseveryyear,butwillonlycontinueifthereissufficientbanksiawoodlandandcoastalheathforfoodandnearbyroostsiteswherecockatooscandrinkofaneveningandsleepforthenight.

Lastsummerandautumn,volunteerscountedcockatoosastheyflewintotheirroosts.PartofajointprojectrunbyDECandBirdsAustraliaWA,thesesurveysidentified80roostsitesintheSwanRegion.Thesurveysgiveusanideaofwhetherthebirdsbredsuccessfullythepreviousspring(threebirdsflyingtogetherusuallyrepresenttwoparentsandasquawkingyoungster).

DECfunding,receivedthroughtheStateNRMprogram,hasenabledustocontinueourcockatoosurveysforanotheryear.Wearelookingforpeopletocountbirdsastheyreturntotheirroostattheendoftheday.Ifyoucanhelpustocountbirds,orknowthelocationofaCarnaby’sblackcockatooroostsite,pleasecontactGeoffBarretton94232907orgeoff.barrett@dec.wa.gov.au.

AutumnBushland News contributions shouldbesenttoUrbanNaturebyWednesday 24 February 2010.

CompiledandeditedbyJoTregonning.

AutumnBushland News

© All material copyright. No part of the contents of the publication may be reproduced without the consent of the publishers.TheviewsandopinionsexpressedinthearticlesinBushland NewsarethoseoftheauthorsanddonotnecessarilyreflectthoseoftheDepartmentofEnvironmentandConservation.

Fleshy fruits of the native Tetragonaimplexicoma (top) are easily distinguished from the dry four- winged fruit of the weed Tetragonadecumbens (above). Photos – Kate Brown.

Top: King skink (Egernia kingii) grazing on the fleshy fruits of native sea spinach (Tetragonaimplexicoma). Photo – Kate Brown

ContactsUrban Nature office

DavidMitchell 94232913JuliaCullity 94232925KateBrown 94232905KarenBettink 94232904GrazynaPaczkowska 94232914

DepartmentofEnvironmentandConservation,SwanRegionoffice7TurnerAvenue,BentleyWA6102

POBox1167,BentleyDeliveryCentreWA6983Fax94232901Emailurban.nature@dec.wa.gov.auCurrentandarchivedissuesofBushland News areavailableatwww.dec.wa.gov.au/programs/ urban-nature/bushland-news.html

Bushland News Issue 72 — Summer 2009–2010 www.dec.wa.gov.au 3

bushlandnewsbushland weedwatch

BlackberriesBlackberries are environmental weeds that form dense bramble and thorn thickets up to 2 m high in waterways of south-west WA. Four weedy species have been identified in WA and no native Rubus species.

FormanyyearsinAustralia,thecloselyrelatedblackberriesweretreatedsimilarlyandclumpedtogetherintoasingletaxon,Rubus fruiticosusaggregate.However,sinceworkbeganonbiologicalcontrols,andwiththereleaseoftheEuropeanrustfungus Phragmidium violaceum,therehasbeenagreaterneedforspecificidentification.In2004–05alarge-scaleprojecttodeterminetheoveralldistributionandincidenceofblackberrywasundertaken.TheDepartmentofFoodandAgricultureWA(DAFWA)identifiedfourspeciesasdeclaredplants,prohibitingthemovementoftheseplantsandrequiringweedcontrolincertainshires.

Common or European blackberry(R. anglocandicans)isthemostcommonandwidespreadblackberryinWA.Makingupmorethanthree-quartersofallsurveyedspecimens,itisnotwidespreadinPerthbutoccursfromPerthtoAlbany.OriginallyfromEurope,itissusceptibletothebio-controlrust.Itcanbedistinguishedbysummerflowering with white flowers which may haveapinktingeinbud.

Elm-leaf blackberry(R. ulmifolius)isoriginallyfromEuropeandoccursinisolatedpatchesaroundtheState.Itisonly partially susceptible to the bio-control rust.Itcanbedistinguishedbysummerfloweringwithpinkflowersatallstages.

Himalayan blackberry(R. rugosus)isonlyknownfromonehistoricalherbariumrecordfromRoleystoneandwasnotfoundinthe2004–05study.OriginallyfromtropicalAsia,itisunlikelytobesusceptibletobio-controlrust.ItcanbedistinguishedbyitslargesingleleavesandevergreenhabitunliketheotherWARubus specieswhichhavethreetofiveleaflets,aresemi-deciduousandshedmostoftheir leavesinwinter.

American or early blackberry(R. laudatus) isthemainweedyspeciesinthePerthmetropolitan area although it also occurs nearHarvey.OriginallyfromAmericaitisnotsusceptibletothebio-controlrust.Itcanbedistinguishedbyitsearlier,springfloweringandpure-whiteflowers.LeavesaregreenontheundersideunlikeotherRubus species which tendtohavewhiteundersides.Italsohasredglandsonthecanesurfaceobservablewithahandlens.

MangagementPlantsspreadbyrootsuckers,stemlayering(whichoccurswhencanesgrowrootsontouchingtheground)orwhenthedelicioussummerfruitiseatenbybirdsandmammals,particularlyfoxes,anditsseedsarespreadintheirdung.

Blackberriesarehardtocontrolandoftenacombinationofphysical,chemicalandbio-controltechniquesareused.Smallplantscanbehandpulledbutallrootmaterialmustberemoved.Thereareanumberofherbicidesthatcanbeusedbut,inmostcases,repeatedapplicationswillneedtobecarriedoutoveranumberofyears.Herbicidecaneitherbeappliedasafoliarspray,bycutandpainttechniqueorbyslashingcanesandapplyingherbicidetotheleafyregrowth.Blackberryhasaperiodofdormancyinwintersooptimaltreatmenttimesareinspringandsummerandvaryslightlybetweenspecies.

Blackberry-free bufferThebiologicalcontrolrustfungusPhragmidium violaceumonlyaffectsblackberryofEuropeanoriginandhasnoeffectonAmericanblackberry.Whileitwon’teradicatecommonblackberry,ithasthepotentialtoreduceitsimpactandspread.

In2007,aDAFWAprojectcommencedtocreatea6-km-wideblackberry-freebufferzonefromAustralindtoDarkan.TheaimistoseparatetheAmericanblackberrytothenorthandthecommonblackberrytothesouthofthisline.ThiswillpreventtheAmericanspeciessimplyreplacingthecommon blackberry as the bio-control agent takeseffect.Asblackberriesareremovedfromthebufferzone,newprioritieswouldbeto control the wrong species on the wrong sideofthebuffer.

More informationCSIROFieldGuidewww.ento.csiro.au/weeds/blackberry/WABB_fieldguide_speciesID.pdf

Florabasehttp://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au

By Julia Cullity

R. anglocandicans

R. laudatusR. ulmifolius

Harvey

Manjimup

WapoleAlbany

Bunbury

Augusta

Mt Barker

Perth

Wagin

0 50km

Weedy blackberries share these common characteristics. As members of the rose family, the pink or white flowers resemble a mini dog rose (C). Thorns form on the stems, leaf stalks and midribs (A). The berries are made up of many succulent fruitlets which start green and turn red through to black when ripe (B and D). Illustration – Charles A Gardner (Western Australian Herbarium, DEC collection)

B

C

D

A

Current and confirmed distribution of the weedy blackberry Rubus species in WA. Image – adapted from the CSIRO field guide.

Summer 2009-2010

Bushland News Issue 72 — Summer 2009–2010 www.dec.wa.gov.au4

econotes

Christmasspiders–ourbushdecorationsEvery year in the months leading up to Christmas, small, yellow floating dots appear through the Australian bush and people’s gardens. On closer inspection these dots are not floating, but sit in carefully constructed spider webs. Christmas spiders (also known as jewel or spiny spiders) mature at this time of the year and their bright yellow, white and black bodies decorate the bush throughout summer.

EveryChristmasIgetaskedthesamequestion:“WheredoChristmasspidersgofortherestoftheyear?”Thankfully,thisisveryeasytoanswer.Theydon’tgoanywhere.Onlyjuvenilesareaboutfromautumntospringandtheyarejustmuchhardertoseeduringtheearlierstagesoftheirlifecycle.

Christmasspiders(Austracantha minax)beginlifewithinaneggsac,laidbyfemalesduringautumneachyear.Eacheggsacmaycompriseofdozensofspiderlings.Thesilkeneggsaccanbeavarietyofshapesandisusuallyattachedtoatwigclosetotheweb.Towardstheendofautumn,thespiderlingsemerge.Dispersalispossiblylikemanyotherorb-weavingspiderswhichusespecialsilkthatthespiderlingsspinanduseasa‘balloon’tofloatwhereverthewindtakesthem.Ifthespiderslandinasuitableposition,theybuildawebtofeedandgrow.Atthisstage,theyandtheirwebsareverysmall,andasjuvenilestheircoloursarelessdistinctthanthoseoftheadultfemalesthatweusuallysee.

Fromthemiddleofspringthespidersarebeingnoticedastheyundergotheirfinalmoultingstagestowardsfullygrownadults.Finally,ChristmasspiderslookmorelikeChristmasdecorations,withtheirbrightcoloursandsixlargespinesaroundtheirabdomen.Theyareparticularlynoticeablewhere,unlikemostorb-webbuildingspiders,theyformlargeclusters,withtheirwebsconnectedtooroverlappingeachother,inasimilarwaytogoldenorb-weavers.

Otherorb-webbuilders,suchasthegardenorb-weavers,arenocturnal,buildingafreshwebeverynightandingestingthepreviousday’sweb.Christmasspiderscanusuallybefoundsittinginthemiddleoftheirweballdayandtheykeepthesameweb.Unlikemanyotherspidersthathaveretreatsorshadyspotssomewherearoundtheedgeoftheirweb,Christmasspidersrestinthehuboftheweb.Theirhardabdomenprotectsthespidersfromdryingoutinthesunasopposedtothesoftbodiesofmostotherorb-weavingspiders.

Whilemostotherspiderwebsaremadetobequiteinconspicuous,thesilklinesthatholdtheChristmasspiders’webinplacearedottedwithballsofsilk,makingthemfarmorenoticeable.ThisislikelytopreventlargeranimalsfromwalkingorflyingthroughtheirlowwebswhichmayrequirealotofrepairworkfortheChristmasspider.

OncetheChristmasspidershavematuredinearlysummerthemalesbegintolookforamate.FemaleChristmasspidersare

aroundthreetimeslargerthanthemales,sothecourtshipritualneedstobedonecarefullyorthemalecouldbemistakenforprey.Themaleapproachesthewebofthefemaleandplucksthesilkofherwebwithhisfrontlegstoconveyhisintentions.Ifsheisreceptive,thiscourtshipbehaviourwillsuppressherpredatoryinstinctandthemalecanapproachherformating.

Finallyinautumn,alltheeggsarelaidandthefemaleChristmasspidersdieshortlyafter,leavingbehindthenextgenerationofbushdecorationsandaswatheofbeautifulwebsthattheweatherwilleventuallybreakapartanddisposeof.ThenitisonlyashortsixmonthsuntilI’masked“WherehavetheChristmasspidersbeen?”

By Brad Durrant

Christmas spider (Austracanthaminax) is the only representative of the genus Austracantha and it only occurs in Australia. Here the spider is widespread and can be found in all mainland states and Tasmania. Austracantha is very closely related to the genus Gasteracantha which occurs mainly in the tropics, with many stunningly coloured and bizarre, spiny forms. Christmas spiders have six spines and are usually a combination of yellow and white surrounded by black. Photo – Brad Durrant

bushlandnews

Bushland News Issue 72 — Summer 2009–2010 www.dec.wa.gov.au 5

Natural Resource Management (NRM) Community Grants Program 2009–10TheStateGovernmenthasallocated$5millionforacommunitygrantscomponentoftheStateNRMProgram.Projects($5,000to$250,000)mustaddressatleastoneofthegovernment’sNRMprioritiesofbiodiversity,biosecurity,waterquality,NRMinteractionwithplanning,climatechangeadaptationorcommunityengagement.

Eligiblegroupsincluderegional,sub-regional,catchmentandcommunitygroups,industryandlocalgovernments.GroupsmustbeincorporatedorbeabletouseanIncorporatedAssociationorequivalentforallfinancialmanagement.StateGovernmentagenciesareineligibletoapplyforfunding,butmaybepartnersinproposals.

Applicationsclose5pmFriday29January2010.Visitwww.nrm.wa.gov.au/stateNRMprogram.htmorcontactBarbaraMorrellon93683177orbarbara.morrell@agric.wa.gov.au.ApplicationscanbesentelectronicallytoBarbaraorpostedtoBarbaraMorrell,StateNRMOffice,LockedBag4,BentleyDeliveryCentre,6983.

UrbanNaturecanassistyouwithyourapplications,particularlybiodiversityandweedcontrolissues(biosecurity).ContactJuliaCullityon94232925oremail julia.cullity@dec.wa.gov.au.

Environmental Community Grants ProgramTheStateGovernmentisexpectedtoallocate$1.5millionforthesecondyearofitsfour-year$6millionEnvironmentalCommunityGrantsProgram.Categoriesareexpectedtobesimilarto2009:biodiversityconservation;sustainablecatchmentmanagement;faunarescueandrehabilitation; nature appreciation in natural areas;regionalparksandBushForeversites;supportformajorconservationandenvironmentorganisations;andprotectionofhighvalueareasbylandholdersonprivateland.ThesecondroundoffundingisexpectedtobeadvertisedinFebruary2010.Visitwww.dec.wa.gov.au/ecg.

Gordon Reid Lotterywest Grants for Conservation Thesegrantsareaimedatsupportingcommunity organisations to conserve theState’snaturalhabitatsanddiversity.

Examplesofprojectsthatmaybeconsideredarerevegetationactivitiesandtheprotectionofremnantvegetation;floraandfaunasurveys;managementplansforreserves;publiceducationprojectssuchastheproductionofbrochures;orresearch projects which will assist in the conservationofWA’sbiodiversity.Visitwww.lotterywest.wa.gov.au/grants/grant-opportunities/vosh/612.

Swan Alcoa Landcare Program For11years,theSwanAlcoaLandcareProgramhasrunanannualfundingprogram to assist community groups in therestorationandmanagementofbushland,wetlandandforeshorevegetation,andtheprotectionandenhancementofsurfaceandgroundwaterquality.The2011fundingroundislikely tobeopenedinFebruary–March2010.Visitwww.perthregionnrm.com.

Coastwest grants CoastwestgrantsareforprojectsdesignedtoimprovetheconditionandamenityofthecoastalzoneinWesternAustralia.Thegrantsprovideopportunitiesandresourcestoassistcommunitygroups,inassociationwithlocalcoastalmanagers,toundertakeon-groundcoastalmanagementactivitiestofacilitatecommunityinvolvementandcapacitybuilding.Grantscanassistintheimplementationofexistingcoastalmanagement plans through cooperative coastalmanagerandcommunityactions.Visitwww.planning.wa.gov.au/Plans+and+policies/Statewide+planning/Coastwest/default.aspx.The2010fundingroundisexpectedtoopeninFebruary.

It’s back… the Barefoot Radler Coastcare grant scheme BarefootRadlerandCoastcareareagainjoiningforcestohelpgroupsimprovetheresilienceoftheirlocalcoastlinetotheeffectsofclimatechange.Thefundsdistributedtothe2009Coastcarewinnersenabledworktobecompletedonminimisingduneerosion,restoringlocalfaunaandprotectingnativehabitats.The2010BarefootRadlerCoastcaregrantschemewillopeninearly2010.Foryourchanceatashareofthefundsvisit www.barefootbrewers.com.au.

Fundingopportunities Rediscoveredafter63years

DuringaflorasurveyinSeptember2008,DECbotanistDavidMicklediscoveredaflowering Dampiera triloba.NotseenontheSwanCoastalPlainsince1945,thespecimenwasfoundinalocalgovernmentreserveintheCityofWanneroo.ThoughttobeextinctontheSwanCoastalPlain,thiserectperennialherborshrubgrowsto0.5mheightandhasblueflowersfromAugusttoDecember.ThisdiscoverypromptedthelistingasaPriority1speciesbecauseofthelimitednumberofhistoricalcollections.TheWAHerbariumhasspecimensfromGnangara,Cunderdin,AvonValleyandBayswater.DECstaffwillundertakesurveystolocateadditionalpopulationsinspring2010.ThisfindhighlightstheimportanceandspecialdiversityofourbushlandreservesontheSwanCoastalPlainand, inDavid’sopinion,thetoponeofthe 34biodiversityhotspotsoftheworld.

A close-up of Dampieratriloba. Photo – David Mickle

Examining the golden splash tooth fungus (Phlebiasubceracea) during a Perth Urban Bushland Fungi survey. Photo – Neale Bougher

PUBF is a collaborative effort between the WA Naturalists’ Club and the Urban Bushland Council in conjunction with DEC’s WA Herbarium, with financial support from Lotterywest. Overall leadership is provided by Dr Neale Bougher from the WA Herbarium. Visit www.fungiperth.org.au.

Bushland News Issue 72 — Summer 2009–2010 www.dec.wa.gov.au6

what’s onRecurrent activitiesConservation Volunteers Australia activity schedule. Overnight country trips or one-day activities. Call Andrew 9227 5711 or visit www.conservationvolunteers.com.au.

Research into bird populations with the Herdsman Lake Bird Banding Group. People are welcome to call Bill Rutherford (ABBBS Coordinator) 0438 910 252 and organise a visit.

Sundays 8am–10amBushcare activities every Sunday with the Friends of Shenton Park Bushland. Contact Dani 9381 3470 or bojel@iinet.net.au.

Sundays 8.30amBushcare activities with the Friends of Wireless Hill are on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. Meet at main car park. Contact Margaret 9315 9075 or s3mmatthews@hotmail.com.

Sundays 9.45am–12 noonBushcare activities with the Friends of Piesse Brook are on the third Sunday of each month. Email linda@johnstanley.cc or visit www.friendsofpiessebrook.org.au.

Thursdays 8am–9amBushcare activities every Thursday with Byford Enviro-Link. Call Johanne Garvey or Kristy Gregory 9526 0199.

Saturdays 9amBushcare activities with the Friends of Brixton Street Wetlands are on the third Saturday of each month. Call Regina 9459 2964.

January16 Saturday 8amGuided walk at Lake Gwelup. Contact Christine 9447 2983 or folgmail@iinet.net.au.

23 Saturday 8amGuided walk at Star Swamp. Contact Christine 9447 2983 or starswamp@hotmail.com.

23 Saturday 9am–12 noonWeeding and seed collection with the Friends of the Spectacles, Kwinana. Contact Lynda Smith 9439 1928 or outback3@iinet.net.au.

February2 Tuesday 6.30amPark walk with the Friends of Mosman Park Bushland. Registrations open Monday 4 January. Contact the Heart Foundation on 1300 362 787 or www.heartfoundation.org.au/walking.

21 Sunday 9am–12 noonWeeding and seed collection with the Friends of the Spectacles, Kwinana. Contact Lynda Smith 9439 1928 or outback3@iinet.net.au.

March1 Monday 9amPark walk with the Friends of Woodman Point. Registrations open Monday 1 February. Contact the Heart Foundation on 1300 362 787 or www.heartfoundation.org.au/walking.

2 Tuesday 7.30pmCockatoos with guest speaker Ron Johnstone (WA Museum). Urban Bushland Council WA AGM, West Perth. Call 9420 7207.

20 Saturday 9am–12 noonWeeding and seed collection with the Friends of the Spectacles, Kwinana. Contact Lynda Smith 9439 1928 or outback3@iinet.net.au.

Opportunities for you to participate! Visitors always welcome but please confirm activities with contact person. Most activities are FREE!

Please send us your April, May and June 2010 events by Wednesday 24 February 2010.

Please send us your April, May and June 2010 events by Wednesday 24 February 2010.

Please send us your April, May and June 2010 events by Wednesday 24 February 2010.

Please send us your April, May and June 2010 events by Wednesday 24 February 2010.

Hands on – bushland and wetland management activities.

Walks and tours – look, listen and enjoy guided walks and excursions.

Skills development activities – talks, presentations, training courses and workshops.

Meetings and events – group meetings, expos, festivals and conferences.

Activities keyHighlights2 Tuesday February6th Annual Wetland Management Conference, Cockburn Wetlands Education Centre, Bibra Lake. ‘Caring for wetlands – an answer to climate change’. Contact Denise Crosbie on 9417 8460 or denise@cockburnwetlands.org.au.

20 Saturday–21 Sunday March11th WA Environment Festival at Naragebup Rockingham Regional Environment Centre. ‘The Future in Our Hands’. Call 9591 3077.

Learning opportunity

Catchments, Corridors and Coasts program 13–15 January 2010 TheCatchments,CorridorsandCoastsprogramprovidesa‘snapshot’ofenvironmentaleducationinWAandispresentedbytheAustralianAssociationforEnvironmentalEducation(WA).Learnaboutenvironmentalissues,availableresources,whatisbeingdonebycommunitygroupsandgovernment,andhowwecanworktogetherforabetterenvironment.Theprogramfocusesonskillsdevelopment,reflectiononWAenvironmentaleducationpractitioners,andwillprovidearesourcetoolkitforparticipantstouseintheirownworkplace.

Visitwww.aaeewa.org.au.ContactCatherineBaudainson0409374231orc.baudains@murdoch.edu.au.

regionalreportsDeadlydiebackBy Valerie Jenner

FriendsofAlpsStreetReserve,MountHelena,decidedforthethirdyeartoacceptAlcoa’sofferofsomedieback-resistantjarrahseedlings.Wehavebeenalittledisappointedwithpreviouslowsurvivalrates;35outof80plantedin2007,andfiveoutof50plantedin2008.Wewereallocated42in2009,andweplanted22intheheavilydieback-affectednorth-westquadrantofthereserveinanareawherewehavepreviouslyhadlowsuccess.

Withpermission,wepottedthe20weakestseedlings intopotstobekeptatmyhometohardenoffduringsummerandforplantinginearlywinter2010.

MonitoringoftheplantedseedlingsinearlyNovemberindicatedahighsurvivalthankstothemildconditionsandweintendtowaterthemduringsummer.Unfortunately,fouroftheseedlingsinpotshavedied.Call Valerie on 0423 237 473.

Summer 2009-2010

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regionalreports

MtHenryPeninsulaConservationGroup

In2009,volunteersfromourgroup,thelocalcommunityandAquinasCollegecontinuedour‘waronweeds’,withrosegeranium(Pelargonium capitatum),climbingfumitory(Fumaria capreolata),Geraldtoncarnationweed(Euphorbia terracina),pinkgladioli(Gladiolus caryophyllaceus),AsteraceaespeciesandwoodyGeraldtonwax(Chamelaucium uncinatum)ontheagenda.ThankstofundingthroughtheSwanAlcoaLandcareProgram,controlofperennialveldtgrass(Ehrharta calycina)andothergrassweedsisanongoingannualproject.Ourworktoeradicateyellowsoldiers(Lachenalia reflexa)continuedwithfurtherherbicidetreatmentbyboththecontractorandamemberofourconservationgroup,togetherwithhandweedingby30volunteersatabushcaredayinSeptember.Beforecontrol,yellowsoldierscoveredapproximately1haofthebushlandunderthedryandragroveandbeyond.In2007and2008,fundingthroughDECenabledacontractortobeemployedtospraythisweed.Monitoringtheefficacyofweedcontrolagainstperennialveldtgrassandyellowsoldiersinseventransectsshoweda95percentreductionintheweedsandreturnofnativeplants,includingnativegrasses.

InNovember,JoeTongademonstratedhowtouseGPStorecordthelocationof10micro-batroostingboxesconstructedbytheYear10woodworkextensionclassatAquinasCollege.JoehasremovedferalbeehivesfromthePeninsulainpreparationforinstallationoftheboxes.Thisprojectisfundedbythe2009EnvironmentalCommunityGrantforNatureAppreciationinNaturalAreas.Contact Jan King 9255 3025 or email Jan.King@aquinas.wa.edu.au.

Angela Carr (left), Alexandra and Kendra Morgan monitoring a quadrat on a transect set up in 2007 for Lachenalia reduction assessment. Photo – Jan King

Please send us your regional report (150–200 words) and a photo by Wednesday 24 February 2010. Text may be edited in response to volume of submitted reports.

Followingtheconstructionoftwooffshorebreakwaters to combat coastline erosion atKwinanaBeach,a200msectionofKwinanaBeachwasre-nourishedanda vegetation rehabilitation program developed.ThroughsupportfromCoastwest,thefirststageoftheprojecthasbegan.CommunityvolunteersfromKwinanaBeachCoastcareGroupandConservationVolunteersAustraliainstalled350m2ofjutemattingandcoastalspeciestoresistthesaltladenwindsthatbuffetthearea.Jutemattingtrapswindblownsand,assistsinsoilmoistureretentionandreducesinvasiveweedestablishment.

Ontheoppositesideofthewalkway,two20-m-longsandtrapfenceshavebeeninstalledtoreducesandblowingontotheadjacentcarpark,andprovideasheltered

areafortheestablishmentofcoastalplants.Inthesixmonthssinceinstallation,sandhasstartedtoaccumulatebetweenthefencesandarangeofplantsincludingSpinifex,AtriplexandCarpobrotus have been planted.TheinvasiveweedsTetragonia decumbensandCakile maritima will initially beretainedtohelpstabilisethesanduntilthenativespeciesarewellestablished.

Thesuccessofthetwosandtrappingmethodswillbeassessedovertimeandthemosteffectivemethodwillbeusedinthenextstageoftherehabilitationprogram.Itisanticipatedthatthecompletedrehabilitation project will link vegetation in theadjacentcoastalreservetocompletethelinkbetweenKwinanaandRockinghamreserves. Contact Craig on 9439 0433 or craig.wilson@kwinana.wa.gov.au.

CoastalrehabilitationatKwinanaBeachBy Craig Wilson

bushlandnews

Bungendorebushbreakfastandbooklaunch By Kim Sarti

BungendoreParkManagementCommitteehelditsseventhannualBungendoreBushBreakfastinNovember.About100peopleenjoyedacookedbreakfastinthebushprovidedbythecommitteeandArmadaleLionsClub.ThebreakfastwasfollowedbytheofficiallaunchofBirds of Bungendore ParkbyWAChiefScientistProfessorLynBeazley(seepage12).Alivelyauctionthenfollowedoftheoriginalwatercolourartworkusedonthebookcoverstohelprecoupprintingcosts.AKelmscottresidentwasthehighestbidderforthered-tailedblackcockatoos,andtheCityofArmadaleoutbidothersforthewesternspinebillillustration–thecity’semblem.Contact Kim on 9470 2297 or kimsarti@bigpond.net.au.

WA Chief Scientist Professor Lyn Beazley at the BirdsofBungendorePark book launch. Photo – M Owen

Bushland News Issue 72 — Summer 2009–2010 www.dec.wa.gov.au8

regionalreports

Duringthecoolermonths ourFriendsgroupmeetsmonthlytoclearrubbish,weed,brushwalkwaysorplantatTalbotRoadReserve.A$10,000grantwillassistuswiththeongoingfightagainstweedsin2010.

InJuly2009,KateBrownandGrazynaPaczkowskajoined16Friendstoplant2,000seedlings.Eightspecieswereplanted,havingbeengrownfromseedcollectedthepreviousyearbyDECstaffandraisedinanurserynearKwinana.Followingtheplanting,wewarmedourselvesbythemobilebarbecueprovidedbyDEC.Thiswasaspecialdayenjoyedbyalltheparticipants.Follow-upinspections have shown that the plants aresurvivingwell.

BushSkillsfortheHillsassessedtheeffectsoffireandweedsonfloraandvegetationinthereserveduringSeptemberusingphotomonitoringpoints.Theyalsocompletedabaselinesurveyofbirds. Thisinformationwascollatedinanexcellenthandbookforusebyourgroup.Contact Jan on 9374 0548.

Planting at Talbot Road Reserve. Photo – Jan Lynn

DiebacktreatmentatWireless Hill By Glen Byleveld

DuringConservationWeekinMarch2009theFriendsofWirelessHillParkhostedahighlysuccessfuldiebacktreatmentday.Morethan80volunteerscarriedout phosphite stem injection in the beautifulbanksiaandeucalyptwoodlandtopreventthespreadofPhytophthora dieback.This40-habushlandburstswithwildflowersduringspringandisanimportantrefugeformanyspeciesofbirdsandreptiles.TheFriendshostedasecondtreatmentdayinNovembertocontinuethisvaluablework.Contact Glen on 9458 5664 or glenbyleveld@sercul.org.au.

AwardrecognisesworkatPiesseBrook

By Linda Stanley

TheFriendsofPiesseBrookcontinuetoexpandtheirworkonprivatelandholder’sproperties,progressingupstreamtoremoveweedseedsourcesthatcanreinfestKalamundaNationalParkdownstream.Privatelandholdershavebeenverysupportiveinparticipatingintheprogramtoridthebrookofinvasiveweedsontheirownproperties.TheseeffortsassisttheFriendsinkeepingKalamundaNationalParkfreeofinvasiveweedsthatdestroythepark’sbiodiversityandwildlifehabitats.TheFriendsobtained$24,922fundingin2010tocontinuetheirwork.In2009theFriendsofPiessebrookIncwerefinalistsforthesecondconsecutiveyearintheprestigiousNationalBanksiaEnvironmentalAwards.

We are always looking for volunteers to assist us at our monthly work mornings held between April and November. Visit www.friendsofpiessebrook.org.au or email linda@johnstanley.cc.

FriendsofTalbotRoadandUrbanNaturejoinforces By Jan Lynn

Summer 2009-2010

Saving Hepburn HeightsBushland

By Ralph Henderson

InAugust,ourbookSaving Hepburn Heights BushlandwaslaunchedattheConnollyCommunityHallwhere100guestsenjoyedafternoonteacateredbytheWannerooandDistrictsHistoricalSociety.Manyoftheguestswereinvolvedintheoriginalfighttosavethebushlandandtheevent was as much a reunion as a book launch.ThebookwasofficiallylaunchedbyMayorTroyPickard,representingtheCityofJoondalupwhichsponsoredthepublicationofthebook,followedbyspeechesfromco-authorsAlanLloyd(FriendsofHepburnandPinnarooBushland)andBillMarwick(WannerooandDistrictsHistoricalSociety).(Seepage12)

Co-authors Bill Marwick (left) and Alan Lloyd at the launch of their book Saving Hepburn HeightsBushland. Photo – Miguel Castillo

StudyingturtlesatYellagonga By Graham Sinclair

Survivalofthelong-neckedturtle(Chelodina oblonga)inYellagongaRegionalParkisunderthreatduetopredators,principallyfoxes.DrJacquelineGilesassistedFriendsmemberswiththecollectionofdataonturtlenumbers.ThisinvolvedboatingaroundlakesJoondalupandGoollelalinacanoe,observing,catchingandmarkingtheturtles.Theinformationwillprovideabaselineagainstwhichfuturestudiescanbecompared.ThepossibilityofengagingatrappertoeradicatefoxesfromLakeGoollelalisbeingconsidered.IfthisprovessuccessfulwewillbeseekinginvolvementfromDECandJoondalupandWanneroocouncilsin a much bigger project in the area surroundingLakeJoondalup.

WateringseedlingsisacontinuingchallengeonsomeofthesiteswhichtheFriendsmanage,sowiththecooperationofDECwehaveinstalledreticulationinanareanearLakeGoollelal,adjacenttoHepburnAvenue.Welookforwardtothesuccessfulrevegetationofthisareanowithaswater.AnotherofoursitesontheedgeofLakeGoolelalisclosetoaretirementvillageonHockingRoad.Agroupofvillageresidentshasbecomeinvolvedwiththatsite,andtheadditional‘manpower’shouldensuresuccessfulrehabilitationofthearea.DECislookingatthepossibilityofalsoprovidingwatertothissite.Email friendsofyellagonga@bigpond.com.

Bushland News Issue 72 — Summer 2009–2010 www.dec.wa.gov.au 9

bushlandnews

2009 beach litter survey By Larry

InOctober,volunteersfromtheFriendsofMarmionMarinePark,JoondalupCommunityCoastCareForum,Stirling NaturalEnvironmentCoastcareandtheDepartmentofFisheriesjoinedforcesto clean up the coast between Sorrento andBurnsBeach.CollectedlitterwasweighedandsortedusingtheTangaroaBlueOceanCareSociety’sMarineDebrisIdentificationManual,whichprovedtobeaveryvaluabletool.Atotalof1,498itemsweighinganestimated59.3kgweregatheredfromatotalareaof2.15ha.Acomparisonoftheresultswiththe2008surveyshoweda54percentincreaseinthenumberofitemsanda114percentincreasebyweight.However,it is not possible to say thatthisreflectsatrendtowardsmoreirresponsiblepublicattitudestolitter,as theamountoflitteralsodependsontheprevailingweatherandseatidesbeforethesurvey.TheresultsdidindicateanongoingissuewithbaitboxstrapbandsbeingthrownoverboardandissuesfortheCityofJoondalupwithremovingglassandcigarettebuttsfrombeaches.FormoreinformationcontactLarrybyemaillarry59@iinet.net.auorDonbyemaildpoynton@iinet.net.au.

Sorting litter collected at northern metropolitan beaches in October. Rae Kolb (SNEC) (from left), Lynda Arnold (FOMMP), Liz Curtis (FOMMP) and Mike Norman (JCCCF). Photo – Don Poynton

Conservationofthegracefulsun-moth

The graceful sun-moth (Synemon gratiosa) is a small, brightly coloured day-flying moth found only on the Swan Coastal Plain. Monitoring the adult moth has presented a challenge as it appears for only a few weeks each year, mainly in March, and has a limited distribution determined by the availability of suitable mat-rush habitat. Further surveys in 2010 hope to clarify the conservation status of the species.

Endemictosouth-westernAustralia,thegracefulsun-mothisrestrictedtotheSwanCoastalPlainbetweenQuinnsRocksandMandurah.ItisspeciallyprotectedfaunaundertheWA Wildlife Conservation Act 1950andlistedasEndangeredundertheCommonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.Surveyssince2002haverevealedfewpopulationsofthegracefulsun-mothandallareinbanksiawoodlandandcoastalheathremnants.Theserelictual populations are thought to have a highriskoflocalextinction.

Biology Thelarvae(caterpillars)growtoonlyabout20mmlong,arepurewhite,andlooklikebeetlegrubs.Formostoftheyear,thelarvaeliveundergroundwheretheyfeedonthesubterraneanpartsoftwocloselyrelatedmat-rushes(Lomandra maritima andL. hermaphrodita).Theypupateinsideasilk-linedtunnelthattheyconstructinthesoilbesidetheirhostplant.Thepupaearemobileandcanmoveupanddownthistunnel.TheadultmothsemergeinlateFebruaryandMarch.Theyhavedarkgrey-blackforewingsandbrightorangehindwings.Theymayfeedonflowers,butthishasneverbeenobserved–therearefewplantsinflowerduringMarch!Aftermating,femalesspendalloftheirtimeseekingoutplantstolayeggson,whichtheydobyinserting their ovipositor into the soil at the baseofasuitablemat-rush.

ConservationDistributionofthehostplantsisthemajordeterminantofpotentialgracefulsun-mothhabitat.Lomandra maritimawasidentifiedasalarvalhostplantonlyrecently,andthishaswidenedthepotentialhabitatofthegracefulsun-mothtoincludemanyareaszonedforclearinginnear-coastalpartsof

By Matthew Williams

When at rest, the graceful sun-moth’s dark grey-black forewings cover the bright orange hind wings. Photo – David Pike

thePerthandPeelareas.Thiscreatesanurgentneedtoclarifythehabitatanddistributionofthespeciestoresolveanypotentialconflictbetweenthespecies’conservationandfuturedevelopment.

2010 surveysDECResearchScientistCarlyBishopwillbecoordinatingaprojectin2010tosurveythegracefulsun-mothanditshabitat.ThesesurveyswillextendfromWilbinga in the north to Binningup in the south,includingexistingandproposedconservationreserves.Theprojectwilldeterminethehabitatanddistributionofthegracefulsun-moth,providearegionalcontextforenvironmentalimpactassessmentprocessesandclarifytheconservationstatusofthespecies.

Therewillbeextensivesurveysandsearchesforadultgracefulsun-mothsbetweenlateFebruaryandearlyApril2010.Tohelpwiththesesurveysweareseekingtheparticipationofvolunteers,communityandFriendsgroups.DECstaffandenvironmentalconsultantswillalsobeconductingsurveys.

DECwillbeconductingtrainingsessionsonsurveymethodsforthegracefulsun-mothinmidtolateFebruaryandearlyMarch.FormoreinformationortoparticipateintheFebruary–April2010surveys,pleaseemailcarly.bishop@dec.wa.gov.au.

Summer 2009-2010

Bushland News Issue 72 — Summer 2009–2010 www.dec.wa.gov.au10

Faunalextinctions–whereandwhy?

BonesincavesnearCapeLeeuwinindicatetheextinctionofthekoalaandwombatinWAsome30,000yearsagoandtheoccurrenceofrockwallabiesthere5,000yearsago.Theseextinctionsprobablyresultedfromachangeinclimate,possiblywiththehelpofhuntingbyNyoongars.

SinceEuropeansettlement,peoplehavecolonisedvastareasofWA,clearingnativevegetationtoprovideshelter,food,energyandincome.Livestockwereintroduced,someofwhichhavebecomeferal.OtheranimalssuchasrabbitsandfoxesmigratedfromSouthAustralia.

Usingallavailableinformation,wehavebeenabletoreconstructwherepopulationsofeachspeciesareknowntohavedisappeared(localextinction),maptheseandcombinethemintoasinglemapshowingthepatternforallspecies.

BirdsMostlocalextinctionshavebeenontheSwanCoastalPlainfollowedbythecentralwheatbelt(viewmapinAbbott2009).ThishasresultedfromnativevegetationbeingdestroyedtocreatethecityandsuburbsofPerth,andtogrowcropsandpasture.Inmuchoftheinterior,extinctionshavebeenfew,eventhoughmanyspeciesarelesscommonthanbeforepastoralistsoccupiedtheland.Thelargestpartofthesouth-westwiththefewestextinctbirdpopulationsisthejarrahandkarriforest.

MammalsInterestinglythepatternofmammalextinctionisunlikethatforbirdsandthereisnosingledominantcause(seemap).Mostmammalpopulationextinctionshavebeenintheleast-settledpartsofWA.Thefirstwaveofextinctionsin1880–1920occurredinthewesternhalfofWAandwasprobablyduetodisease.ThediseaseappearstohavestartedaroundSharkBayandspreadquicklytothenorth,eastandsouthtoreachAlbanyby1920.

Thesecondwaveofextinctionsstartedsoonafter1911withthearrivalofthefoxfromSouthAustralia.Somepopulationsrecoveredafterthefirstwaveofextinctions,onlytosuccumbtopredationbythefox.ThepriorarrivaloftherabbitfromSouthAustraliain1895helpedmaintainlargepopulationsoffoxes,thusintensifyingpredationof

nativemammals.AlthoughcatswereferalthroughoutWAby1890,observationsinnorthernSouthAustraliaandsouthernNorthernTerritoryinthe1920–30srevealthatthemammalfaunawasintactthereuntilthefoxarrivedin1930.

TheCanningStockRoute(HallsCreektoWiluna)andtheNullarborPlainstillretainedmanynativemammalspeciesuntilthe1930s,eventhoughtheferalcathadbeenpresentformanydecades.ItseemsthattraditionalmosaicburningbydesertAborigineshelpedbuffernativemammalsagainstpredationbycatsandfoxes,forwhenAboriginesleftthedesertsfortowns,fuellevelsincreasedandsubsequentlightningstrikescausedextensivewildfires.Theseremovedtheshelterofnativemammals,makingiteasierforcatsandfoxestokillanysurvivingorre-colonisinganimals.

Relevance to management Knowledgeofwhereextinctionshaveoccurredmeansthatoncethreatsarediminished,DECcanattempttorestoreoriginaldistributionswithconfidence.DECstaffhavetranslocatednumerousspeciestoPeronPeninsula,LornaGlen,Dryandraandelsewhere.

More information Abbott, I(1997)ExtinctionsinWesternAustralia.LANDSCOPE12(3):49-53.

Abbott, I (1999)Theavifaunaoftheforestsofsouth-westWesternAustralia:Changesinspeciescomposition,distribution,andabundancefollowinganthropogenicdisturbance.CALM Science Supplement 5: 1-175. Corrigenda. Conservation Science Western Australia5:136(2004).

Abbott, I(2006)MammalianfaunalcollapseinWesternAustralia,1875-1925:thehypothesisedroleofepizooticdiseaseandaconceptualmodelofitsorigin,introduction,transmission,andspread.Australian Zoologist 33:530-561.

Abbott, I (2008)Historicalperspectivesoftheecologyofsomeconspicuousvertebratespeciesinsouth-westWesternAustralia.Conservation Science Western Australia6(3):1-214.[availableonline]

Abbott, I(2009)Faunalextinctions:whereandhowhavepopulationsdisappeared?Availableathttp://www.dec.wa.gov.au/component/option,com_docman/Itemid,1/gid,3690/task,doc_download/.Department of Environment and Conservation, Western Australia, Science Division, Information Sheet 21/2009,DEC,Kensington,WA.2p.

By Ian Abbott

When the British settled Western Australia in 1829, the bird and mammal species present were the legacy of two opposing processes operating in geological time – extinction and speciation. After 180 years of European settlement, how do we sort out the potential factors involved in causing extinctions? Why is it necessary to know this?

Bushland News Issue 72 — Summer 2009–2010 www.dec.wa.gov.au 11

groupprofile

Childrencanmakeadifference“What can we do, we are only children?” This was the catch-cry which inspired the development of the Baldivis Children’s Forest 10 years ago. In the face of radical change from rural to urban living, students at Baldivis Primary School determined to preserve some of the region’s fast diminishing natural environment. This empowerment of young people to influence change has resulted in a unique and far-reaching project in conservation and sustainability, transforming a farmland block into a vibrant educational centre surrounded by beautiful bushland.

Intheearlyyears,childrenplantedseedlingsannuallyinthe19.79-hadegradedtuartwoodlandsandOutridgeSwamp.Facedwithpoorseedlingsurvivalratesoflessthan10percent,childrenwereaskedwhatcouldbedone.Thechildren’sideaswereactionedandwereasgoodasanytrainedrevegetationspecialist–plantmorecarefully,fenceoutthehungrykangaroos,givetheseedlingsadrinkinsummerandpullouttheweeds.Tenyearslater,awhopping25,700seedlingshavebeenplantedandthepastthree years has seen a 70 to 90 per cent seedlingsurvivalrate.Youngchildreneagerlyshowmetheplantstheyplantedtheyearbefore(alwaysthebiggestones)beforeenjoyingthewildlifeintheplantedareas,pullingweedsandplantingmoreplants.

LedbyJoeTonga,childrenandcommunityhaverespondedtothelossoffaunahabitatbycreatingnestboxesforcockatoos,bats,possums,birdsandhoneypossums.Thisworkhasbeencomplementedbyaprogramtoremoveferalhoneybeehivesfromtreehollows.Encouragingarethesightingsofpossumsandlargemonitorlizardsintheoldtreatedhollows.Theexcitementofchildrenspotting these animals on night stalks is greattohear.

EducationTrialledasanideain2004,theconceptofschoolactivitydaysintheForesthasrapidlygrowntoinclude1,500studentsfrom15schoolsannually.Childrenrotatethroughtwotofouractivitiesduringtheirdaylearningaboutfire,insectsormacro-invertebrates,holdingnativeanimals,runningaroundthebushonatreasurehunt,creatinganobstaclecourse,mouldingclay,eatingdamper,throwingboomerangsor

walkingwithAboriginalElders.AtleastoneoftheactivitiescontributestotheconservationandmanagementoftheForestsuchasplanting,collectingseed,monitoringplantsandanimalsor mappingweeds.

Voluntarycommunityservicehasalsoplayedapivotalroleintransformingthereserveduring2009.Nineschoolgroupsinvolving300highschoolchildrenand45teachershaveworkedtocreatemulchedwalktrails,installsigns,moveirrigation,paintbinsandabannerorinjectphosphiteintosicktrees.Thechildrenbenefitfromthe training while making a positive contributiontoForestmanagement.

Theenthusiasmoflocalchildreniscatching,andwereceivedmanyrequestsfromfamiliestorunsomecommunity events.Bushsurvival,art,snakehandling,amusicconcertandnumerousnightstalksandtreasurehuntshavepackedthe2009calendar.Thepopularityoftheseeventsisatestimonytotheterrificeducatorsthatrunthem.

PartnershipsThisprojectisonlypossiblebecauseofthewonderfulgenerosityofmanyindividuals,groupsandorganisationsthatsharetheirexpertiseandresources.AlthoughtheForestnowhasitsownentity,teacherJudithHillandBaldivisPrimarySchoolcontinuetobemajordriversandsupportersoftheproject.TheCityofRockinghambuiltan

outdoorclassroomthroughWorkfortheDolein2005,anamphitheatrein2007andcontinuestobeasolidpartner.Ourgrouphasreceivedsponsorshipfromnumerousbusinesses,withourmajorsponsorBHPBillitonNickelWestcontributingsince2006.BaldivisVolunteerFireBrigadehasbeenwithussincethefirstseedlingwasplanted.EveryyearBaldivis,andnowSingleton,firefighterstalktochildrenaboutfiresafety.

AboriginalculturallearninghasformedanimportantpartofdevelopingtheForestandithasbeenawonderfulexperiencetoworkwithlocalAboriginalElders.Abushtuckergarden,artwork,miaandthedistrict’sdreamtimetrailarephysicalevidenceofAboriginallearningattheForest.

MediaAnimportantpartofattractingandmaintainingindustryandbusinesssponsorshipisbymediapromotionandprojectrecognition.Since2006,themulti-award-winningForestprojecthasbeenrecognisedinstate,nationalandinternationalarenasforbiodiversityconservation,educationandAboriginalculturalreconciliation.Childrenspeakatnumerouseventsandconferences,themost recent being at the International River HealthConferenceinCanberraduringOctoberwhere‘kidsteachkids’.

Visitwww.baldivis-childrens-forest.com.auformoreinformation.

By Jo Tregonning

Children collecting tree guards, stakes and weeding in the two-year old rehabilitation area at Baldivis Children’s Forest. Photo – BCF Inc

bushlandnews

ResourcesSummer 2009-2010

Birds of Bungendore Park (2009)Johnstone,REandKirkby,T,BungendoreParkManagementCommittee,44pages.Compiledbylocalornithologists,thisbookdetails98birdspeciesreliablyrecordedinBungendorePark,BedfordaleintheCityofArmadale.Itgivesinformationonrelativeabundance,habitatpreferences,breedingandmovements.Changesinbirdstatusaredetailedfollowingenvironmentalchanges;the1994wildfireandtheinvasionofsomeexoticspeciesintothepark.ThebookincludesexquisiteartworkbyRobFleming.$20fromArmadaleTouristCentre,JullStreetorSERCUL,HorleyStreet,Beckenham;or$22(includingpostage)fromBungendoreParkManagementCommittee,POBox538,ArmadaleWA6992.

Common Butterflies of the South-West (2009)WilliamsA,PowelR,WilliamsM,WalkerG.DepartmentofEnvironmentandConservation,Perth,72pages.RRP$6.50.Thisbookdescribesandillustrates31ofthe most common butterfly species to be foundinsuburbanbushlandsaroundPerthandmajorregionalcentres.

Newpublications Saving Hepburn Heights Bushland (2009)LloydA.andMarwickB.CityofJoondalup,200pages.RRP$30(plus$3postage).Abeautifullypresentedhistoricaldocumentthatdetailsthecampaignthatnotonlysavedthebushland,butraisedawarenessoftheimportanceofurbanbushland.Essentialreadingforanyone passionate about preserving naturalbushland.Chequesshouldbemadepayableto‘FriendsofHepburnandPinarooBushlandInc.’andmailedtoTheTreasurer,31DrummerWay,Heathridge,WA6027.AllmoneyraisedbythesaleofthebookgoestotheFriendsgroupforprojectsassociatedwiththebushland.ContactAlanLloydon94016652orBillMarwickon93093611.

Website Watch

Natural Area Initial Assessments Regional Database is now publicly availableonline.ToaccessdataformanyPerthmetropolitanandsouth-westlocalgovernmentreservesvisitwww.walga.asn.au/about/policy/pbp/na_database.

National Animal Pest Alert brochures onferret,Rusadeerandred-earedsliderturtlehavebeenproducedbytheWADepartmentofAgricultureandFood.AlertbrochuresalreadypublishedfocusedontheIndianringneckparrot,thehousecrowandthecommonmyna.Visitwww.agric.wa.gov.auandsearch‘pestalert’.

Informationonweeds of national significance is no longer available at www.weeds.org.au.Visitwww.weeds.gov.au.Usefullinkstoinformationoninvasive plantscanbefoundatwww.dec.wa.gov.au/management-and-protection/invasive-plants/index.html.

Recent research

CommanderL.E,MerrittD.J.,RokichD.P.,FlemanttiG.R.,DixonK.W.(2008)SeedgerminationofSolanumspp.(Solanaceae)foruseinrehabilitationandcommercialindustries.Australian Journal of Botany 56(4):333–341.

MillarM.,ByrneM.,CoatesD.(2008)Seedcollectionforrevegetation:GuidelinesforWesternAustralianflora.Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 91(4):293–300.

TurnerP.J.,ScottJ.K.,SpaffordH.(2008)Theecologicalbarrierstotherecoveryofbridalcreeper(Asparagus asparagoides (L.)Druce)infestedsites:Impactsonvegetationandthe potential increase in otherexoticspecies.Austral Ecology 33(6):713–722.

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