Tassie Devils among species set to benefit from new project

Greening Australia’s Dave Warne at the Connorville planting. Photo credit NRM North.

A new collaboration between NRM North and Greening Australia has seen more than 20,000 native seedlings planted at Connorville, a historic property at the base of Mitford Hill under Millers Bluff in Tasmania’s Northern Midlands.

Staff from Greening Australia and NRM North recently made the most of some beautiful September weather to visit the newly completed site.

“We’ve planted almost 13 hectares here, and it’s come together really well,” said Greening Australia Restoration Specialist Dave Warne. “It’s been an excellent experience working with the landholders Roderic and Kate O’Connor, NRM North and local contractor Oliver Strutt from Ecoworks Tasmania on this important project.”

“Threatened wildlife like Wedge-tailed Eagles, Eastern Quolls and Tasmanian Devils have already been spotted in this area, so we know they’re here and will be among the many species to benefit from this habitat we’re growing.”

Greening Australia and NRM North staff during a September visit to the planting site. Photo credit NRM North.

The mix of native species used in the planting aims to replicate the critically endangered Black Gum Forest ecological community. This vegetation type is in danger of disappearing. Around 90% of its original extent has already been lost to historical clearing and very little of what remains is in good condition, particularly in the Midlands.

Black Gum forests provide habitat for at least 51 nationally threatened plant and animal species – Tasmanian Devils and Eastern Quolls are just two.

The restoration is also in an important strategic position for habitat connectivity in the landscape. As the plants grow, they will form a connection with the native grasslands on the surrounding hill slopes, and with remnant threatened Melaleuca ericifolia swamp forest at the head of the valley.

The planting will grow to become an important habitat link in the landscape. Photo credit NRM North.

“The planting abuts a large inland melaleuca forest, which is really rare in this district,” said landholder Roderic O’Connor. “I wanted this project to go ahead because it’s so important that we protect and add to this unusual natural estate.”

To protect the young seedlings from being damaged by invasive deer, a secure deer-proof fence has been installed, thanks largely to co-investment from Roderic.

NRM North Biodiversity Program Manager Stephen Izzard looks forward to watching the site grow into the future.

“It’s only through working together that we can achieve results of this scale,” Stephen said. “We’re very fortunate that we are able to partner with Greening Australia, and other leading conservation organisations for our Improving Midlands Biodiversity project, and grateful for the support from many amazing landholders who invest so much of their own time and resources to deliver results like these.”

This sturdy fence is protecting the future of this planting by excluding deer. Photo credit NRM North.

This project is jointly funded by the Australian Government under Saving Native Species and the Natural Heritage Trust, delivered by NRM North, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel. Greening Australia’s work on this project has also been supported by The Intrepid Foundation.
 
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