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At this time of year, wildflower seedlings burst through red soil at Eurardy Reserve Country in mid-Western Australia, blanketing the landscape in colour. But this only happens when the conditions are right; thankfully good rain had fallen earlier in the year. With climate change shifting rainfall patterns across much of Western Australia, I hold immense gratitude for every season we watch this event unfold.

I write after returning from Eurardy, hopeful for a bloom-filled season. “There are entire countries with less floristic diversity than Eurardy,” said flora ecologist Dr Fiamma Riviera as we walked the reserve. Every pop of colour was a reminder of nature’s resilience and the urgency of our work.

Thanks to your support, we’ve been able to protect this living canvas and the species that call it home for 20 years.

The stories found in this Bushtracks reflect our ambition and mirror the resilient species we work to protect. Firstly, we head to the Einasleigh Uplands in mid-Queensland to search for a low-abundance Koala population and see the need for more private land conservation in the region – despite the price tag.

In ‘Beneath big skies’, we celebrate the release of the third season of our Big Sky Country podcast. Hosted by Tiahni Adamson, National Aboriginal Engagement Manager, it takes listeners across the continent and its waters to uncover the big solutions available in a warming world.

Then we nestle into the hollows of our Victorian reserves on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, where monitoring confirms species are returning and points to further management to encourage larger species to do the same.

In ‘Protecting Plassey’ we go as far south as possible, where 14 years ago we tried something different with the Tasmanian Land Conservancy. Together, we began working with farmers to protect threatened and critically endangered vegetation communities on agricultural lands. Backed by longitudinal research, we now celebrate this work with a new stewardship agreement.

Like a wildflower, the conditions for Bush Heritage are just right – built on a legacy of strong conservation impact. Thanks to your support, we look forward to deepening and doubling our efforts across more seasons filled with wildflowers and wildlife protected at scale beneath big skies.