Bushtracks Spring 2023

The field is busy at this time of year, and we’ve been getting stuck in to prepare for the even hotter days ahead.

Optimal conditions allowed us to plant the first seeds of a 600-hectare restoration project at Ediegarrup Reserve in Western Australia, Koreng Noongar Country. This marks the beginning of a project with Greening Australia that is estimated to sequester approximately 85,000 tonnes of carbon over its lifetime.

With the shift from wetter La Niña conditions to El Niño, we are now experiencing the warmer, drier side of this cyclical weather pattern. We anticipated this change, and 12 months ago began the planning and work to prepare the lands we help protect.

We implemented an intensive fire-preparedness plan to mitigate the impacts of destructive bushfires that are typically more intense after La Niña years.

This has included staff training, equipment resourcing, creating fire breaks and carrying out both planned and cultural burns. In ‘Land, bird, smoke and man’, you will read about our Fire team’s work burning the spinifex-dotted sand dunes of Pilungah and Ethabuka on Wangkamadla Country, in preparation for bushfire season.

The protection of spinifex habitat is a common theme in this Bushtracks, as we return to the story of the Night Parrot at Pullen Pullen Reserve, Maiawali Country. Here, we are growing and sharing knowledge with Maiawali custodians and other Indigenous ranger groups to ensure the Night Parrot’s survival.

This precious parrot set the wheels in motion for the Queensland Government to grant Pullen Pullen Special Wildlife Reserve status – the first of its kind and the highest form of statutory protection for private land in the country. 

‘A case for nature’ takes you to Carnarvon Station Reserve, Bidjara Country, where vine thicket ecosystems and a few slimy species are helping the reserve’s journey toward Special Wildlife Reserve status.

Across the organisation, we are embracing the transitional character of spring. Thank you for your support, trust and generosity that allows us to move with the seasons and continue protecting our irreplaceable bush.

Enjoy,

Rob Murphy
Executive Manager
Conservation Operations & Co-interim Chief Executive Officer