Drought Protection for Woodland Birds is Working

16 October 2006

 The promise of drought protection for woodland birds is becoming a reality at the new conservation reserve launched by the Australian Bush Heritage Fund on Sunday. ‘Seed eating birds such as diamond firetails are already moving in from surrounding farm land as the drought starts to bite’, Reserve Manager Dr David Baker-Gabb said.

The Nardoo Hills Reserve, near Wedderburn in central Victoria’s box and iron bark woodlands will protect some of southern Australia’s most threatened ecosystems. This 245 hectare property adjoins the 327 hectare Judith Eardley Reserve that was acquired by Bush Heritage in 2004. It will help provide valuable habitat for a dozen species of declining woodland birds particularly the vulnerable hooded robin and the nationally endangered swift parrot.

More than one hundred people attended the day to see the reserve and learn about its flora and fauna. CEO Doug Human said ‘Bush Heritage is committed to work with local people and organisations in its efforts to actively manage land for fire, ferals and weeds. We have already controlled the adult wheel cactus on the reserves with the support of dedicated volunteers.’ We bought this land because of existing community effort and as we launched the property we were thrilled to see the level of local interest in our work and the support of the Wedderburn community. I expect open days like this will become regular events.’

We would also like to thank the RE Ross Trust for their significant contribution towards the purchase of this reserve’ Doug Humann said. Former land owner Roger Paterson is a neighbour and his family has farmed in the district for a century. ‘I’m very happy that Bush Heritage has bought the block because they have a vision for the land, he said. ‘They don’t just shut the gate and walk away. I like their proactive management style. They engage with neighbours and they’re interested in local knowledge.’

Bush Heritage is a national, independent, non-profit organisation. It strives to protect the unique and abundant diversity of life in Australia for the long term. It achieves this by acquiring and managing land and water of outstanding conservation significance.

Bush Heritage owns 24 reserves across Australia covering 670 000 hectares. It is the most widely supported private land conservation organisation in the nation – more than 16 000 people have already provided support. Last financial year Bush Heritage doubled both its income and area of land under management receiving 13 million dollars from donations and grants to do vital conservation work around the country.