RIVER MURRAY APPEAL 2013

OF THE

WOODLAND BIRDS

Funds to support research into the distribution and population dynamics of the Woodland Birds of the River Murray.

• WoodlandBirdsoftheRiverMurrayAppeal

• EnvironmentalwateringatClark’sFloodplainintheRiverland

• RegNelsonmadeFellowoftheFoundation

• Hiltabagets‘Blitzed’

• CitizenScienceattheTiliqua‘LizardCrawl’

• NatureFoundationSACalendarofEvents2013

summer2013newsletterofNatureFoundationSAIncPrintedon100%recycledpaper

Male Superb Fairy–Wren, (Malurus cyaneus) PHOTO:JeremyRobertson

Ian Atkinson - Chief Executive Officer hasoverthirtyyears’experienceinagricultureandnaturalresourcemanagement.HeholdsqualificationsinAgriculturalScience,HorticulturalScience,ScienceCommunication,andLaw.MostrecentlyIanwasCEOofIrrigationAustraliaLtd,whosemissionis“Leadingthedevelopmentofaprofessionalirrigationindustryforhealthy,sustainableurban&ruralcommunities,

and their environments.”

From2006-2010hewasCEOofCRCforIrrigationFutures,anEnvironmentalCRCthatlinkedtogether15partnerorganisations.Theiraimwastoundertakeanddeliverresearch,educationandtrainingthatgaveconfidencetogrowers,industry,government,andcommunitiestoinvestinbetterirrigation,abetterenvironmentandabetter future.

IangrewupintheMid-NorthofSouthAustraliaandhaslivedwithhisfamilyintheAdelaideHillsforover10years.HeislookingforwardtoworkingataregionallevelonthedeliveryofgreatoutcomesfortheSouthAustralianenvironment,andlocalcommunities.

Lisa Gellie – Communications Manager

WefarewellEmilyRicewhohasreturnedtotheFringe,andwelcomeLisaGellietotheroleasCommunicationsManager.Lisabringsaloveoftheenvironmentandahistoryof‘handson’volunteeringcoupledwithextensiveexperiencefromrolesincludingtheHeadofMarketingattheSA

FilmCorporationandCommunicationsManageratDrug&AlcoholServicesSA.LisahasbeenbasedinsomeremarkablelocationsincludingtheKimberleyandPilbarainWAandKangarooIsland.

Greg Toop - Council Member & Water for Nature Chair

WewelcomeGregTooptotheNatureFoundationSACouncil.NostrangertotheNFSA,havingpreviouslybeenamemberofNFSACouncilandcommittees,Gregbringsawealthofexperienceinrealestateandknowledgeoflandandwaterissues–hisexpertisewillbeinvaluabletotheFoundation

landandwaterprograms.GregistheDirectorofE-RealEstateandistheManagingDirectorofCoorongCovePtyLtd.

2 www.naturefoundation.org.au

Bob LottHelloeveryoneIhopeyouhadagreattimewithfamilyandfriendsovertheendofyearbreak.

OnbehalfoftheCouncilandStaffoftheFoundationIthankallofoursupportersfor theircontributiontothesuccessful31styearof theFoundation,andwhatamomentousyear2012was.

Thehighlightswere:-

WATER FOR NATURE TheFoundationbeingthefirstand,tothispointwebelieve,theonlyNonGovernmentOrganizationtosignanagreementwiththeCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterHoldertobegrantedanallocationoftheMurrayDarlingBasinAuthority’senvironmentalwater–anamazing50gigalitresover5yearstowaterprivatewetlandsalongtheMurrayRiverandLowerLakes.OurWaterForNatureinitiativewillbeassignificantandimportantfortheFoundationandourstateasthewonderfulworkwehavecarriedoutintheterrestrialsphereoverthelast30oddyears.

HisExcellencytheGovernorKevinScarceandMrsScarcehostedalovelyeveningatGovernmentHousetoannouncethesupportoftheFederalMinisterandhisdepartmentforWaterForNature.

PROPERTY PURCHASES WepurchasedthestunningpropertyknownasHiltabafromsupportersoftheFoundationJanetandAlastairAngaswithitscommonboundarytotheGawlerRangesNationalPark.Thispropertyisalreadysettingtheconservationworld,includingtheSAMuseumandtheNationalBushBlitzgroupandBirdsSAbuzzing,withtheamazingvarietyoffloraandfaunaspecieswhicharebeingidentifiedandrecorded.Wehavejusttakenoffourthirdloadofgoatsin12months.

OurwonderfulphilanthropistandsupporterElizabethLaw-Smithpurchasedanddonatedtousafurther100hapropertytojointotheParawoodlands’‘BarossaBlock’GawlerandmadeherfinalcontributiontoatrusttofinancethemanagementoftheParawoodlandsproperty(now470hainsize)forthenext100years

TheFoundationsignedacontract(subjecttorealignmentofboundaries)fora102hasectionofthedisappearingFleurieuPeninsularSwamplandsontheFinnissRiver.Thisproperty,whichisalongsidetheaquaticrecreationpropertiesownedbyStPetersCollegeandPembrokeSchool,ishometo2confirmedEPBClistedspeciesincludingtheMtLoftySouthernEmu-wren,theSouthernBell-frogandtheYarraPigmy-perchand1EPBClistedvegetationcommunity.

OTHER MATTERS AfterourForumforminersatBeachEnergyinSeptemberweattracted3significantSEBcontributionstocontinueourresearchandrestorationworkatWitchelina-moreaboutthisinfutureNewsletters

OurgreatsupporterBeachEnergyagreedtomakeavailable$400,000over3yearstoallowustoengageaseniorecologistandassistintherunningofourecologydepartmentduringthisgrant.

WecreatedaCollegeofNatureChampionswhichisintheprocessofformalizingitscharterandsettinganagendaforthecomingyear.Approximatelyadozencorporate,mining,professional,financeandcommunityleadershavecometogethertoassisttheFoundationinnetworkingandallowtheFoundationtousetheirnamespublically,tofurthertheopportunitiestoengagewithpotentialnewsupportersof the Foundation

TheFoundation’sfundraisingappealshavereturnedafairbitlesstotheFoundationbutfortunatelytwowonderfulBequests-onefromMarionJeanLigertwood,theotherfromGillianBriggshasmeanttheFoundationhastradedpositivelythislastyearbutwelongforthetimethatthegeneralfinancialclimateimproves.

Unfortunatelywelostquiteanumberoflongtermsupporterslastyearwhowillbesadlymissedbutalwaysrememberedfortheirgenerosityand commitment to the conservation cause.

A CHANGING OF THE GUARD WewereunfortunatetoloseAndrewReillywhowasagreatCEOfortheFoundationashemadeacareermovetoanotherNFPsector,Andrew’sinfluenceweldedtogetheraverycohesivestaffgroupandhewillbemissedbytheFoundation–wewishhimwellinhisnewrole.

IntheNewsletteryouwillreadallaboutournewCEOwhoisincrediblywellsuitedforourFoundation.IanAtkinsonhasagreatknowledgeoftheWaterindustry,hasmanagedlargeGovernmentfundedresearchprojects,isamanoftheland,hasnumerousdegreesinSciencedisciplinesandasuccessfulCEOformanyyearsheistherightpersonforthejobattheabsoluterighttimeintheFoundation’sdevelopment–welcomeIan.

NATIVE VEGETATION ACT TheFoundationhasworkedassiduouslyoverthelast2yearstoassistintheframingamendmentstotheNativeVegetationActwhichwehopewillbesupportedbyallmembersintheupperHouse.

Pleaseconsiderdonatingtoourappeal,againitisformuchneededresearchintoaworryingdeclineinthenumbersofWoodlandBirdsofthe River Murray

Bestwishes

Bob Lott, PRESIDENT, NATURE FOUNDATION SA INC.

DONATION FORM|WOODLANDBIRDSOFTHERIVERMURRAYAPPEAL2013

Iwouldliketodonate:$30|$60|$120|$250|$500|Other:$_______

Iwouldliketopaybycreditcard(ticktypebelow)ORMycheque/moneyorderisattached.

MastercardVISAAMEXDinersNameoncard:_____________________________________________

Cardno:|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|Expirydate(MM/YY):|__|__|__|__|

Name/s:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address:_________________________________________________________________Postcode:____________________________

Suburb/town:____________________________________________________________Telephone:___________________________

Email:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Donationsover$2aretaxdeductible. Please post to Nature Foundation SA Inc. PO Box 448 Hindmarsh SA 5007, or Phone 1300 366 191.www.naturefoundation.org.au 3

Thisisakeyquestion,ofgreatimportancetotheNatureFoundation’sWaterforNatureprogram.Somespecies,suchastheYellowRosella,areonlyfoundintheredgumandblackboxwoodlandsoftheriverland.Otherspecieshaveimportantpopulationsthatrelyontheriverland,suchastheeasternRegentParrot.RegentParrotsnestintreehollowsinthefloodplainwoodlands,butforageinthemalleeawayfromtheriver.Theexistenceofadequateareaofmalleeclosetohealthystandsofriversidewoodlandiscrucialtotheirsurvival.Thesespeciesgiveusahintofhowimportantthewoodlandsoftheriverfloodplainsaretowoodlandbirds.

Butthereremainmanythingswedon’tknowenoughaboutwoodlandbirdoftheriverland.Howimportantaretheriparianwoodlands(woodlandsadjacenttotheriver)tohighlymobilenectarfeederssuchaslorikeetsandhoneyeaters?

Birdsperformimportantfunctionsinwoodlandecosystemsasthey disperse seed and pollen across the landscape. Without ahealthybirdcommunitytheremainingpatchesofwoodlandvegetationalongtheriverarelikelytodecline.ToensurelongtermsuccessoftheFoundation’senvironmentalwateringprojectsintheriverlandweneedtounderstandmoreabouttheecologythewoodlandbirdsoftheRiverMurray.

Our Summer Appeal will raise funds to encourage and support the research being undertaken into the ecology of the woodland birds of the River Murray.

NatureFoundationSAthanksyouforyourcontinuedsupportwhichisintegraltouscarryingoutcriticalconservationwork.

www.waterfornature.org.au

Overone-thirdofAustralia’slandbirdsaredependentonnativewoodlandsand,sinceEuropeansettlement,one-thirdofAustralia’swoodlandshavebeencleared.ThetemperatewoodlandsofsouthernAustraliahavebeenparticularlyhard-hitwith80%havingbeencleared.Theremainingfragmentsoftemperatewoodlandareoftendegradedbygrazing,weedsandintroduced predators.

Thebirdsthatinhabittheseremaininghabitatfragmentshave lessspaceinwhichtolive,butalsothehabitatisofpoorerquality.Mostfragmentsaretoosmalltomaintainviablepopulations,sobirdsmustdisperseacrossclearedareasbetweenwoodlandpatches.Asthespacesbetweenpatchesincreasethisbecomesmoredifficult.Atleastoneinfivespeciesofwoodlandbirdsarenowthreatened. TheRiverMurraywasoriginallyafertilestripofwoodlandthatranthroughexpansivearidmalleevegetation.TheseasonalflowsoftheMurrayhavenowbeenregulatedandthewoodlandadjacenttotheriverhaslargelybeencleared.Theriverwasanimportantstripoffertilelandthatsupportedahighdensityofwoodlandbirds,comparedtosurroundingareas.Whatofthewoodlandbirdsintheriverland?Howaretheyfaring?

Yellow Rosella (Loxton)PHOTOS:HelgaKieskamp

Regent Parrot (Loxton) Spiney-cheeked Honeyeater (Gluepot)

RIVER MURRAY APPEAL 2013

OF THE

WOODLAND BIRDS GREGJOHNSTON-CONSERVATIONECOLOGIST

4 www.naturefoundation.org.au

HiltabaReservewas‘blitzed’inNovember2012aspartofBushBlitz-Australia’slargestnaturediscoveryproject.BushBlitzisathree-yearmultimilliondollarpartnershipdocumentingtheplantsandanimalsonhundredsofpropertiesacrossAustralia’sNationalReserveSystem.

CoordinatedthroughtheAustralianGovernmentDepartmentofSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunities,BushBlitzbeganin2010withasurveyofWitchelinaReserve.NowHiltabaisoneofthelastreservestobe‘blitzed’inthecurrentroundoffunding.SinceitbeganBushBlitzsurveyshavediscovered600species.

Twentyscientists,togetherwithEarthwatchvolunteers,IndigenousWorkingonCountrytraineesandstafffromGawlerRangesNationalPark,NatureFoundationSAandBushBlitzstaffmadeHiltabahomeforthetwoweeksurvey.ScientistscamefromtheStateHerbariumofSouthAustralia,SouthAustralianMuseum,UniversityofAdelaide,UniversityofNewSouthWalesandQueenslandMuseum.Theyusedpittraps,harptraps,butterflynets,plantpresses,DNAsamplekits,malaisetraps,andlighttrapsandworkedbydayandnight.

Nowthatthefieldworkisdone,severalmonthsworkwillbeneeded to sort and fully classify all of the specimens collected duringthesurvey.Wealreadyknowtherewereseveralnewspeciesofpsyllid,orlerpinsects,foundduringtheBushBlitz.Watersamplesfromwellsharboredstygofauna–smallinvertebratesthatliveinundergroundwaterbodies.Theexistenceandimportanceofstygofaunahasonlybeenrealisedinthepasttwodecades.Eachseparatebodyofundergroundwaterhasitsownsuiteofstygofauna.ThosefoundatHiltabaarelikelytobenewtosciencebecausetheBushBlitzsurveywasthefirsttimeHiltaba’sgroundwaterhasbeensampledforstygofauna.Perhapssurprisinglyforsuchadryplace,adozenspeciesoflandsnailwerefoundonHiltaba.

HILTABABUSHBLITZ

Botanistswereparticularlyinterested in several plants that only occur in theHiltabaarea.Theseplants had been severely affectedbygrazinginsomeareas,butthevegetationwasinverygoodconditioninareaswheregrazingwaslessintense.Therearesevenspecies of plants that are endemictotheGawlerRanges,includingaspecies of Stenanthemum firstrecognisedin2007.Hiltabahelpspreservealmostalloftheirknowndistribution.AsPeterLang,andeminent

botanistontheBushBlitzsurveysaid“iftheydisappearfromhere,theywillbegoneforever.”

www.bushblitz.org.au

DRGREGJOHNSTON-CONSERVATIONECOLOGIST

Bush Blitz team working into the night in make shift lab at the ‘Shearers Quarters’.

Peninsula dragon lizard found on Hiltaba

Bush Blitz team at Hiltaba PHOTO:JoHarding

www.naturefoundation.org.au 5

MrDavidPapps,theCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterHolder,officiallylaunchedthefirstflowofCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterfacilitatedthroughNatureFoundationSAonMonday18thFebruaryadjacentClark’sFloodplainnearBerri.

Withover70attendees,thelaunchmarkedthestartofafiveyear,firstofitskind,agreementbetweentheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterHolderandNatureFoundationSAwithanallocationof50gigalitresofCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterover5yearstorehabilitateRiverMurrayfloodplainsandwetlandsinSouthAustraliaTogivesomecontext1gigalitreistheequivalentofonesquarekilometreby1metredeep.

100megalitresofwaterwillbeusedatClark’sFloodplainandtheprimarytargetsareforthecreationofasustaininghealthyBlackBoxcommunityandtopromotenewgerminationofBlackBoxatahigherelevation.

Themethodologyisacombinationofinundationoftwochannels(orfloodrunners)andtheuseofsprinklersonthehigherterraces.AnAquadam(inflatablewaterdam)isbeingusedtoblockoffonethefloodrunnersandsandbagstheotherwithaimtoretainthewaterathigherelevationsandtoensureefficientdistributionandretentionofwater-optimumofatleast30days.Eightsprinklerswillbeused(eachwitha26metrethrowradius)tosustainexistingBlackBoxseedlingsonthehigherterracearea.

LocalisedenvironmentalgainswillhelptoproviderefugeforendangeredandthreatenedspeciesbutthebroadercontextisthehealthoftheMurray-Darlingriverasawholeandthepositiveeconomic,socialandculturalimpactsofahealthyriversystem.

MrIanAtkinson,NatureFoundationSAChiefExecutivesaid“Wetlandsandfloodplainsonprivatepropertyallalongthe

Murrayaresufferingbecauseofahundredyearsofalteredfloodingpatterns.ButthereisawaytoaddressthehealthoftheseimportantpartsoftheRiverMurray–ittakesalateralapproach,collaborationfromkeystakeholdersandbuyinandsupportfromthelocalcommunityincludingirrigators.”

Environmentalwateringispredicatedon‘bestpractice’scienceandrigorousmonitoringwillbeusedtoevaluatethewateringinundationincludingtimelapsecameras,generouslyfacilitatedthroughtheAustralianConservationFoundationandObservant.

Without the help and support from the local community this projectwouldnothavebeenpossible.IanAtkinsonsaidthat“InadditiontoMrSteveClarkandfamilywhoownthelandwehavehadfantasticsupportfromSAWater,LoxtontoBookpurnongLocalActionPlanningGroup(LBLAP),BookpurnongLock4EnvironmentalAssociation(B4LEA),theStateEmergencyServiceBerriBranchwhoprovidedthesandbaggingandtheAustralianConservationFoundationandObservantwhohaveprovidedthetime-lapsecamerasformonitoringofthesite.

Clark’sFloodplainishelpingtodevelopamodelthattheFoundationcanadapttootherlocations.Althoughfuturesitesmayposedifferentlogisticalchallenges,thecriticalelementforanysuccessfulwateringeventwillbethesupportoflocalcommunities.

IfyouthinkyouhaveasitethatwouldbenefitfromenvironmentalwateringpleasecontactHiyobaGhirmayonPh:83402880oremailHiyoba.ghirmay@nfsa.org.au

Furtherinformationisavailableatwww.waterfornature.org.auincludingtheWebcamlinktoObservanttimelapsecamerasatthe site.

AN INITIATIVE OF NATURE FOUNDATION SA

AN INITIATIVE OF NATURE FOUNDATION SA

CLARK’S FLOODPLAIN

ABOVE: L to R: Bob Lott (President NFSA), David Papps (CEWH), Steve Clark (land owner) and Jason Size (Chairperson BL4EA)

TOP LEFT: Mr Barney Lindsay (Gerard Aboriginal Community) who provided a Welcome to Country and spoke of the importance of a healthy river system

TOP RIGHT: Dr Anne Jensen (WFN Committee) providing insight into the ecology and anticipated benefits of environmental watering PHOTOS:LeoDavis

LISAGELLIE-COMMUNICATIONSMANAGER

6 www.naturefoundation.org.au

PATRICKMENTzEL–FUNDRAISINGANDMARKETINGMANAGER

OnSunday25thNovember,NatureFoundationSAheldaChristmasCocktailPartyatCarrickHill.80friendsandsupportersjoinedusforabeautifulafternoonofjazzmusicandcocktailfoodcomplementedbyK1wines.Guestsalsohadtheopportunitytoviewthehistoricalhouseandthespectaculargardens.

AswellascelebratingthestartofthefestiveseasonwealsoheldasilentauctionandusedanativeChristmasgivingtreetohelpraisefundsforourconservationwork.Withoverfortysilentauctionitemsondisplayrangingfrompaintings,prints,photographs,walkingtrips,ticketstoshowsandaccommodationtherewasplentyofopportunityforparticipantstoindulge.

Theafternoonwasarelaxedwayforeveryonetomingle,meetingoldfriendsandnew,andwasagreatsuccesswithgenerousguestshelpingtoraiseover$7000.

NatureFoundationSAsincerelythanksthefantasticandverycharitablesupporters oftheevent:

Julie Fletcher Photography, K1 Wines, Linda Catchlove, Allyson Parsons, Marie Parsons, Wild Bush Luxury, Arkaba Station, Seastar Holiday Apartments, Wings Barossa Bird and Bush Retreat, Wilpena Pound Resort, Venuetix, Pimlott Framing, Roger Murcott, Wendy Jennings, David Dipnall, Graham Chilman Photography, Kathleen Patitsas, Barbara Hardy, Hiyoba Ghirmay, Siegfried Drews and Leo Davis.

Sunday21stofOctober,wasperfectforthesecondWalkforNaturewithblueskiesandpleasantweathergreetingtheenthusiasticwalkers.

ThewalkwasdedicatedtothememoryofWarrenBonythonAO,afoundingmemberoftheFoundation,renownedwalker,modern-dayexplorerand passionate advocate for the need to conserve and protect our environment. HowaptthattheHeysenTrail,firstproposedbyWarrenBonythonin1969,wassowonderfullyutilisedwithwalkersofallagesenjoyingthetrail.

Atotalof536registeredwalkersenjoyedthebeautifulsceneryalongtheHeysenTrailthroughMountGeorgeConservationParkandthenintotheWoodhouseActivityCentre.ThisyearNatureFoundationSAaddedtwoextraloops,allowingparticipantstochoosefroma3km,6kmor12kmwalk.ThescenicloopatopMountGeorgeCPwasparticularlywellreceivedasitgavewalkersagreatviewoverthebackoftheMountLoftyRangesanddowntowardsMcLarenVale.

Theeventhelpedtoraiseover$32,000towardsourconservationprojectswhichwasclosetodoublethatoftheinauguralevent.MorewalkersusedtheonlinefundraisingsiteEverydayHerowherefriends,familyand

colleaguescouldsignuptosponsortheirwalkthaninthepreviousyear. Wewouldliketothankallwalkersforparticipatingandallsponsorsandsupportersfortheircontributioninmakingthis our most successful event yet.

Our generous sponsors and supporters included:

Channel 7, FiveAA, Adelaide & Mt Lofty Ranges NRM Board, Be Active SA Health, dbusiness events plus, Statewide Super, Burst of Freshness, Carman’s, ebs ecology, Solito, thefactory, Macquarie Private Wealth, Mount Lofty Springs, Friends of the Heysen Trail, Blackwood Lions Club, Bridgewater Inn, Adelaide Hills Council and Paddy Pallin

The 2013 Walk for Nature will be held on Sunday 20th October at 10am. www.naturefoundation.org.au/news-and-events/events/

PATRICKMENTzEL– FUNDRAISING&MARKETINGMANAGER

FOR NATUREWALK

PHOTOS:LeoDavis

CoCktail PartyChristmas

PHOTOS:NigelParsons

PHOTOS:NigelParsons

7www.naturefoundation.org.au

CALENDAR 2013

Weareexcitedtoannounceoureventsfor2013-there’s

somethingforeveryoneandweencourageyoutoputthe

keydatesinyourcalendarnowtohelpyouplanahead.

Thediversityofferedincludesvisitingouramazing

propertiestotakepartinworkingbees,treeplantingand

monitoringactivities.Aswellasthesewehaveourannual

fundraisingeventswhichincludejoiningusinthehillsfor

ourWalkforNatureandoursocialgatheringoccasions.

Weencourageyouandyourfamily,friendsand

colleaguestosupportusandwedohopethatyouwillbe

abletoattendanumberofthesethroughouttheyear.

www.naturefoundation.org.au/news-and-events/events/

HILTABA WORKING BEE AND LAUNCH EVENT

Awonderfulopportunitytoviewthemajesticrangesontheproperty.ParticipantscanjoininahostofmaintenanceupgradesorganisedbyNFSA.CampingandcookingfacilitiesprovidedalongwithoneBBQ.Guided4WDincluded.Threedaysonsiteandtwodaystravel.

HILTABA FAUNA SURVEY

Volunteerswillbeinvolvedwithabaselinestudytofindoutwhatfaunaistherepresentlyandtoassistwithfuturemonitoring.

ContactSEGtomakebookingson82789078

KANGAROO ISLAND PLANTING FESTIVAL

Member and supporter opportunity tobeinvolvedwithplantingatanewsitewherewewillbeaimingtorestore25hectaresofhabitatforsomeofKangarooIsland’srarestplant life.

ForfurtherinformationandbookingspleasecontactNatureFoundationSA’sofficeon1300366191.

JULY Friday 5th – Sunday 7th

PARA WOODLANDS TREE PLANTING

Member and supporter opportunity to see Para Woodlands and participateintreeplanting.

ContactSAUrbanForestsMillionTreesProgramon82780600.

AUG Thursday 1st – Monday 5th

WITCHELINA WORKING BEE

Oursecondrunningoftheworkingbeewhichallowsvisitorstoviewouruniquearidlandsystemontheproperty.ParticipantscanjoininahostofmaintenanceupgradesorganisedbyNFSA.CampingandcookingfacilitiesprovidedalongwithoneBBQ.50%discounton4WDTouristroute.Threedaysonsiteandtwodaystravel.

SEPT Saturday 7th at 11.00am

TILIQUA LIZARD CRAWL

Member and supporter opportunity assistingresearchintothePygmyBlue-tongueLizardatTiliqua-incollaborationwithProfessorMichaelBull and Flinders University researchers.

SEPT Wednesday 25th at 6pm

APPEAL PRESENTATION

OneHourvisualpresentationatvenuetobeconfirmed

OCT Thursday 24th at 5.30pm

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

TheAGMisheldattheHoldenStTheatresforourmembersincludingpresentations,nibblesanddrinks

NOV Date to be confirmed

END OF YEAR CHRISTMAS EVENTEventforallmembers,donors,supporters and corporates includingmusic,foodandwinewitha silent auction.

APRIL Sunday 14th to Saturday 27th MAY Thursday 2nd - Monday 6th JUNE Friday 21st at 10am

AUG Sunday 25th August - Saturday 7th Sept

HILTABA FLORA SURVEY

Volunteerswillbeinvolvedwithabaselinestudytofindoutwhatfloraistherepresentlyandtoassistwithfuturemonitoring.

ContactSEGtomakebookingson82789078

OCT – Sunday 20th at 10.00am

WALK FOR NATURE

JoinusforourannualfundraisingwalkalongtheHeysenTrailwhichstartsatBridgewaterOvalandpassesthroughMountGeorgeConservationParkandWoodhouseActivityCentre.

DEC Date to be confirmed

CHRISTMAS SUPPORTER DRINKS

Invitationeventforallmajorsupporters of the foundation.

8 www.naturefoundation.org.au

BOBLOTT–COUNCILPRESIDENT

MrRegNelson,throughBeachEnergy(ofwhichheisManagingDirector)hasbeenasignificantsupporteroftheworkoftheFoundationsinceJuly2007.

Inappreciationofhisoutstandingsupport,ReghasbeenmadeaFellowoftheFoundation,atitlebestowedbytheNatureFoundationSAwhichrecognisessignificantfinancialcontributions,adviceandguidancetowardsthedevelopmentof the Foundation and dedication to nature conservation in SouthAustralia.

Backin2008RegsuggestedtotheFoundationthatitshouldinvestigateSignificantEnvironmentalBenefits(SEBs)asawayofraisingfundstopurchaseland,providingthecatalystforaparadigmshiftinourapproach.RegsubsequentlysponsoredaconferenceofminersandindustryheadsfromwhichthefundsforthepurchaseofWitchelinalaterflowedandourverygoodrelationshipwithSANTOScommenced.

RecentlyRegagreedtojointheCollegeofNatureChampionswhichwilladvisetheFoundationCouncilandhelpdirectitsfundraisingeffortsinthecorporatesector.

ThedirectfinancialcontributionfromBeachEnergyisextremelysignificanttotheworkoftheFoundationandwearegratefulthatasidefromfundingspecificprojectsBeachhavealsoprovidedfundsforthesalaryofourConservationEcologistDrGregJohnstonforthreeyearsandtoassistinthedaytodayrunningoftheEnvironmentalSciencesection.

ReghonoursthephilosophiesofRegSprigg,famedSouthAustraliangeologistandconservationist,whohadagreatinfluenceinthefoundingofBeachPetroleum,theforerunnerofBeachEnergy,andthisisreflectedintheongoingsupportofNatureFoundationSA.

www.beachenergy.com.au

REG NELSON

FELLOWOFTHEFOUNDATION

ManyoftheFriendsactivelyvolunteerwithotherorganizationsandarecentexampleofusingthoseconnectionstoassisttheFoundationsawFriendsmemberGraemeOatscallintheservicesoftheBlackwoodLionsgrouptohelpfeedthehungrycrowdattheWalkforNature.WelldoneGraemeandalloftheFriendsgroupwhohelpedonthedaywithmarshaling,registrationandrefreshmentstopsalongtheway.

Icouldn'tbetherebutreportsfromthemanyFriendsoftheNatureFoundationwhoattendedtheChristmasCocktailpartyatCarrickHillagreed,thatitwasamostsuccessfulgathering,somewhatwarmperhaps,atrickygullybreeze,buttheyouthfuljazzbandwasgreat,therefreshmentsfirstclassandofcoursesomanyoftheworkersandsupportersoftheFoundationwerethere.TheFriendswereproudtobepartofit,andlookforwardtotheFoundation's2013busyprogram.

FRiENDs OFJOHNSIBLY–PRESIDENTOF‘THEFRIENDS’

NFSA

Graeme Oats (left) and fellow Lions volunteer David Letheby at the Walk for Nature

9www.naturefoundation.org.au

NATUREFOUNDATIONSAWASASILVERSPONSOROFTHE2012 OliphantScienceAwards,thelargestsciencecompetitioninSouthAustraliaforschoolstudents.

2,600studentssubmittedatotalof1,686entriestothecompetitionwhichiscoordinatedbytheSouthAustralianScienceTeachersAssociation(SASTA)toraisetheprofileandunderstandingofscience.

DrBarbaraHardyassistedinboththejudgingandinthepresentationceremonyoftheNatureFoundationSAprizecategorytomostoutstandingjunior,primaryandsecondaryschoolentrieswithanatureconservationtheme.

Themixedmediumentriesincluded:Models&Inventions,Games,Multimedia,PhotographyandScienceWriting.NatureFoundationSAcongratulatesallparticipantsfortheiroutstandingeffort,creativityandinnovativeideas.

BarbaraHardysaid“Ifeltprivilegedtojudgesubmissionsofanexceptionallyhighqualityandwasexcitedtobepartofaneventthatrecognisesthepotentialforbrightyoungpeopletotrulychangeandimprovetheworld.IfeelconfidentthattheOliphantScienceAwardsarehelpingtoencourageandnurturethescientistsandconservationistsoftomorrow”.

NatureFoundationSAwasjudgedasasemifinalistintheprestigiousFivestarPrintEnvironmentandSustainabilityAwardatthe2012CommunityAchievementAwardsheldFriday30thNovemberattheStamfordGrandAdelaide.

NatureFoundationSAwasselectedfromastrongfieldofnomineesandwaspresentedbyHonJayWeatherillMP,PremierofSouthAustraliainfrontof350guests.MikeSmithsonfromChannel7hostedtheAwards.

TheFoundationwasrecognisedforitsremarkableachievementsoverthelastyearinlandandwaterconservationprojectsincludingthepurchaseandrehabilitationofHiltabaStation,WaterForNatureMurrayRiverwetlandsrecoveryprojectsandland restoration at Para Woodlands.

ABOVE: David Moyle (Vice-President NFSA) receiving Semi-Finalist Certificate

from the Hon Jay Weatherill Premier of South Australia

Dr Barbara Hardy (Nature Foundation SA) with the 8-12 Prize winners.

2012 Oliphant SCIENCE awards

2012 COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Dr Barbara Hardy (Nature Foundation SA) with the R-7 Prize winners

‘Wings’isacountryhomesteadretreatlocatedintheBarossaRangesoverlookingtheEdenValley.Theself-containedretreatislocatedon170acresofgentlerollinghillsandvalleys,andhasextensivemarkedwalkingtrailsandabundantnativeflora and fauna.

BarbaraHardyrecentlystayedatthepropertyandsaid“Theretreatofferedarespitefromordinaryeverydayliving–thedaycabininparticular,atthelake,affordedawonderfulopportunitytoquietlyenjoytheview,andtowatchtheactivitiesofbirdsandwildlife”.

WearegratefulforthedonationoftheaccommodationtostayatWingsfortherecentChristmasCocktailPartysilentauction.

www.wingsretreat.com.auinfo@wingsretreat.com.auPh:0414885545

NFSA

10 www.naturefoundation.org.au

PATRICKMENTzEL–FUNDRAISING&MARKETINGMANAGER

OnSaturdaySeptember8th,NatureFoundationSAheldtheinauguralTiliquaLizardCrawl,a‘citizenscience’monitoringdayassistingresearchintothePygmyBlue-tongueLizard.Itwasa coolday,withacrispwindrollingthroughthehillsofTiliqua NatureReserve(nearBurra)howeverthisdidn’tdeterour77enthusiastic participants.

discover

Willouran Ranges Witchelina PHOTO:GrahamChilman

NatureFoundationSArepresentatives,ProfessorMichaelBullandresearchers from Flinders University collaborated to coordinate the ‘LizardCrawl’whichgavethepublicanopportunitytocontribute

TiLiqua ‘Lizard CrawL’

ConsistentwiththeNatureFoundation’sdesiretosharethebeautyofWitchelinawiththepublicandraisefundsforongoingmanagementofthereserveNFSAhasdevelopedanew4WDtrackinpartnershipwiththeMarreeHotel,called‘4WDtheWillouranRanges’.

Thetrackisofmoderatedifficultyandtakesinthenortheastquarterofthereserveandcanbecompletedin4-6hours.Thevoyagetraversesavarietyofdifferentecosystemsandlandformsfromfloodplainstocreeklinestoruggedhills.OfparticularnoteandsplendoristheMtNor’WestGorgethatprovidesafascinatinggeologicalcrosssectionoftheancientWillouranRanges.

Abrochureandtripnotesguideyourjourneyprovidinginformationonnavigation,culturalandnaturalhistoryandtheregenerationofthenaturalenvironment.ThebirdwatchermayalsocatchaglimpseofthevulnerableThick-billedGrasswrenthatinhabitsthechenopodshrublandsoccurringwithinthereserve.

BookingscanbemadewiththeMarreeHotelon(08)86758344atacostof$80pervehicle.Ifyouaren’talready,becomeamemberofNFSAandreceiveamembersdiscountof10%ontrackentry.Advancebookingsarerecommendedasthedailycapacityofthetrackis15vehicles.AllproceedshelptheFoundationtocontinueits mission to Save, Protect and Restore.

www.naturefoundation.org.au/our-work/witchelina/witchelina-4wd-

Witchelina Nature Reserve ALEXNANKIVELL-CONSERVATIONPROGRAMSMANAGER

LEFT: Participants viewing Pygmy Bluetongue through an optical fibrescopeRIGHT: Professor Michael Bull directing participants on the dayPHOTOS:GrahamChilman

toimportantscientificresearchabouttheendangeredspecieswhichseeksrefugeinspiderholesinnativeorgrassywoodland.

Professor Michael Bull coordinated four plots for participants totraverseandfindasmanyspiderholeswithinthefourhalf-hourmonitoringsessions.Eachparticipanthadtheirownsub-plotandidentifiedholeswithflagsprovided.FlindersUniversityresearchersthenrecordedresultsandcheckedwhetherspiderholesidentifiedhadPygmyBlue-tongueLizardswithinthemwithanOpticalFibrescope(aflexiblefibreopticdevicethatisusedtoviewdownthespiderholes).Oncetheresultswerecollated,itwasascertainedthatonaverage,thegroupsofvolunteersfoundapprox25lizardsoverthefourplots-agreatoutcome.

NatureFoundationSAwouldliketoacknowledgetheinvaluablecontributionfromallvolunteersfromtheBurracommunity, NatureFoundationSAmembersandothersupporters,theSAMurray-DarlingBasinandtheNorthern&YorkeNRMBoardsandmost particularly Professor Michael Bull and researchers from Flinders University.

FlindersUniversityhaspurchasedanOpticalFibrescopethatNatureFoundationSAwillbeabletoaccessforfuturecommunityeventssuchasthe‘LizardCrawl’andformonitoringbymembersofthecommunityattheirproperties.TrainingcanbeprovidedbyFlindersUniversityresearchers–booking(andtraining)requestscanbedirectedtoProfessorBullviaNatureFoundationSA.

Ongoingcommunitymonitoringiscriticaltotheconservationresearchbeingundertaken.ThenextTiliquaLizardCrawlwillbeheldonNationalThreatenedSpeciesDayonSaturday7thSeptemberandweencourageyoutomarkthisinyourcalendarasa‘can’tmiss’event.

www.naturefoundation.org.au/news-and-events/events/

11www.naturefoundation.org.au

InSouthAustralia,GlossyBlack-CockatoosfeedexclusivelyonseedsfromtheDroopingSheoak-Allocasuarinaverticillata. Withsuchaspecificdiet,GlossyBlack-Cockatooshave sufferedasignificantreductioninforaginghabitatwiththelossofSheoakGrassyWoodlandvegetationcommunitiesinSAsinceEuropeansettlement.

DroopingSheoakrevegetationiscriticaltoensureaviablebreedingpopulationandhasbeenavitalcomponenttotheRecoveryProgramsince1995.RevegetationfocusesonsiteswhereDroopingSheoakpreviouslyoccurredandusesaproportionofplantspropagatedfromseedofknownGlossyBlack-Cockatoofeedtrees.

Sitesarestrategicallychosentoaddresshabitatfragmentation,ensuringadequatefeedinghabitatoccursclosetoknownbreedingareas.Since1995,over160hectaresofhabitathasbeenrestoredthroughoutitsrangeonKangarooIslandthetheFleurieuPeninsula.ThemajorityofthishasbeenfundedthroughtheGlossyBlackRescueFundmanagedandsupportedbyNatureFoundationSA.

OvertwodaysinJune2012,theGlossyBlack-CockatooPlantingFestivalwasheldataWesternRiverpropertyonthenorthcoast

all thE waY SEEDBANKTOTHE

Calandrinia Regenerating gums

Goodenia cycloptera

Dr GreG Johnston – Conservation eColoGist

One of the delights of visiting Witchelina over the past few years has been watching the wildflowers wax and wane following heavy rain in 2010. The wildflowers have been spectacular, but are now largely gone.

Where did they come from? Where did they go? The short answer to both questions is the soil seed bank. if you travel through australia’s deserts, the sparse vegetation you see growing above ground belies a vast repository of seed laying dormant in the soil. Understanding this seed bank is critical for understanding how native vegetation responds to changes such as de-stocking, future changes in climate, or to restoration management. The seed bank also reflects the presence and density of exotic and invasive plants.

a $700,000 Biodiversity Fund grant has allowed the nFsa to work with Flinders University researchers to better understand the seed bank at Witchelina. The project will document variation in the seed bank across the reserve to examine, among other things, how past grazing regimes have influenced the nature of the soil seed bank and of the above-ground vegetation. These findings will assist restoration of native vegetation in arid rangelands, and ensure that future generations can enjoy the desert wildflowers when the rains come again.

ofKangarooIsland.Twenty-onevolunteerscontributed115hoursandplanted500DroopingSheoaksandseveralSugarGums–Eucalyptuscladocalyx(forroosting/nesting).

Therevegetationwasadjacenttopreviousplantingsandaspecificdensityoftreeswasplantedforoptimumgrowthandproductionofcones.TheWesternRiversheoakswilltakeaboutsixyearstoproduceenoughconesfortheGlossyBlack-Cockatoosnestinginthearea(aboutadozenpairs)touseasafood resource.

feeding haBitat through revegetationKI Planting Festival Glossy Black-Cockatoos

restoring GLOSSY BLACK - COCKATOO MICHAELBATHPROJECTOFFICERGLOSSYBLACK-COCKATOORECOVERYPROGRAMNaturalResourcesKangarooIsland(DEWNR)

12 www.naturefoundation.org.au

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Patron & Donor Liaison Dr Barbara hardy aoPatron Dick smith aoPresident Bob lottVice President David Moyle aMHon Secretary Susie HerzbergTreasurer Stephen WarrenCouncillors Dr Bob sharrad Chris reed David Hansman rob Morrison oaM Chief Executive ian atkinsonConservation Programs Mgr alex nankivell Conservation Ecologist Dr Greg JohnstonConservation Projects Officer Hiyoba GhirmayFundraising & Marketing Mgr Patrick MentzelCommunications Mgr lisa GellieAccountant Georgie FiedlerAdministration & Marketing Coordinator Natasha HarperFriends of NFSA President John Sibly

nature Foundation sa inc32 holden street (Po Box 448)hindmarsh sa 5007Phone: (08) 8340 2880 or 1300 366 191Fax: (08) 8340 2506email: natureFounationsa@nfsa.org.auWebsite: www.naturefoundation.org.au

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VALE DR PEg (MARgARET) ChRisTiAN OAM

TheFoundationwassaddenedtohearofthedeathofDrPegChristianin2012.

PegChristianwasoneofthefirstfemaleveterinariansinAustraliaandtookagreatinterestinthewelfareofmarsupials.Shepioneeredveterinaryworkontheseanimalsanddevelopedtechniquesthatcontinuetosavecountlessnumbersoftheiryoung.

DrChristianhadsupportedandcontributedtotheFoundationsince1986andwillbegreatlymissed.

TheCouncilofNatureFoundationSAwashonouredandverygratefulthatNFSAwasselectedasthebeneficiaryfordonationsassociatedwiththefuneraltributes.ThefundswillbeputtogooduseandareafittingtributetoDrChristianandherpassionate support of the environment.

VALE KEN sMiThMEMBER,WATERFORNATUREPROGRAM TECHNICALADVISORYPANEL

KenSmithwasawidelyrespectedMurrayRiverhydrologistwhoworkedwiththeEngineering&WaterSupplyDepartment(EWS)intheRiverlandfor45yearsbeforestartingasuccessfulhydrologicalconsultancy.KenagreedtoparticipateintheWaterforNatureTechnicalAdvisoryPanelhoweverresignedinOctoberlastyearduetohealthreasonsandpassedawayon6January2013.

Generouswithhistimeandalwayswillingtosharehiswisdomandexperience,KenmadeamajorcontributiontotheRiverlandcommunityandwasamajorsourceofkeyinformationforwetlandrepairandrehabilitationprojects.

WaterforNatureCommitteeMemberDrAnneJensensaidthat:“OneofmymostsatisfyingcollaborationswithKenwasontherehabilitationofevaporationbasins,wherenaturalwetlandshadbeenusedtostoreirrigationdrainagewatersincethe1960s.….OnceKenbecameawareofenvironmentalproblems,hewasenthusiasticaboutre-designingthebasinstorepairthedamageandimproveenvironmentalvalues.”

“TheRiverhaslostagoodfriend,buthislegacywillliveoninthewetlandswhichhavebeenrepairedthroughmodificationstoinletsandflowpaths,toincreasetheirchancesofwateringinincreasinglyrarefloodevents.”

CondolencesareextendedtoKen’sfamily.