Hollow homes
Monitoring our reserves in north-west Victoria, Dja Dja Wurrung Country, helps future homes for hollow-dependent fauna.
Part of a connected habitat corridor with our J.C. Griffin and Sanstrom reserves, with nearby Bellair Reserve also a making up part of our 'Dalyenong Cluster'.
This property contains quality stands of the depleted and endangered woodland communities Heathy Woodland, Grassy Woodland Mosaic and Creekline Grassy Woodland.
Our conservation work in the Kara Kara Wedderburn landscape of central Victoria was boosted by the acquisition of this 185 hectare reserve, which is perfectly situated to support our goals to strategically connect the remaining remnants of native vegetation in the Dalyenong region.
It supports many nationally threatened woodland birds such as the Brown Treecreeper, Blue-winged Parrot and Hooded Robin.
The property, named after the late John Douglas (a well-respected local farmer and conservationist) is an incredibly important mosaic of woodland communities including the threatened Goldfields Creekline Grassy Woodland. In Victoria, 84% of Creekline Grassy Woodlands have been cleared and 32% of what remains is on private land.
We’re lucky that 80% of this property is intact and has not been cleared for agriculture – it’s an example of what’s possible when farmers have a vision for shared landscapes.
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Long-leaf box. Photo Rowan Mott.
Areas like this are rare in Victoria, and are of exceptional conservation significance. The reserve features important stands of aging Yellow Box, Long-leaved Box, Grey Box, Yellow Gum, Red Gum which all support hollow-nesting fauna, as well as Buloke and Drooping Sheoak which, when mature, provide important fodder for cockatoos and parrots.
There's an area within the southern remnant patch of Heathy Woodland that's been excluded from grazing for 60 years. It was referred to as 'the garden' by Mr and Mrs Douglas. The vegetation there has exceptionally high quality structure and ecological value and is testament to the passion that John and his family had for the property.
What the reserve protects
Animals: Hooded Robin, Brown Treecreeper, Diamond Firetail, Southern Boobook Owl Swift Parrot, Eastern Bearded Dragons, Krefft’s Gliders, Brush-tailed Phascogales and Yellow-footed Antechinus.
Plants: Yellow Box, Long-leaved Box, Grey Box, Yellow Gum, Red Gum, Buloke (Critically Endangered in Victoria), Drooping Sheoak and the Red Cross Spider-orchid (endangered in Victoria).
Vegetation communities: Goldfields Creekline Grassy Woodland, Heathy dry forest, Box and Ironbark forest, Alluvial terraces with herb rich woodland.
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Dusky Woodswallow. Photo Rowan Mott.
What we’re doing
This reserve is one piece in a wider landscape mosaic that’s owned and managed by many different groups and individuals. As a member of the Kara Kara Conservation Management Network, we’re working with neighbours, other non-government organisations and government departments to ensure our conservation efforts are successful both on the reserve and in the wider landscape.
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Eastern Grey Kangaroos. Photo Rowan Mott.
Cultural values
The John Douglas Reserve is on the traditional lands of Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung people), with whom we're working closely on all our central Victoria properties.
Bush Heritage looks forward to walking together with our Djaara partners to Dhelkunya Dja (heal Country) in djangi Dja Dja Wurrung balak (the home of the Dja Dja Wurrung people).
