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:_____________________________________________
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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:[email protected]
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.
[email protected]: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)
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Printed on 100% recycled paper containing 100% recycled fibre certified ‘post’ consumer by FSC standards
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: [email protected]: 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.