ISSUE 5 2009

Another international member to join the WLT recently is the Klipkop Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. We reported on this very important sanctuary for South Africa’s diminishing biodiversity in Technical Bulletin No 15, and inside you will find a story from Julie Blair on some of the management efforts going on at the 5,500 acre sanctuary. Earlier this year, the WLT also played host to Louise Joubert, owner/manager of the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. Louise is having a battle in the courts at the moment against a mining company that wants to mine (and consequently devastate) the sanctuary, and HSI’s good friend and conservation colleagueJoan Pearson put on a very successful fundraising lunch to contribute to the legal battle.

We are also very happy indeed to welcome Wildlife in a Secure Environment’s (WISE) The Haven, a 140 acre sanctuary in Victoria, John McCann and Lorraine Blythe’s 1,840.94 acre Caspers Hideaway in New South Wales, and Alison Elvin’s and Owen Whitaker’s 370 acre Redantha sanctuary, also in New South Wales. These new members are adding tremendous weight to the growing private refuge networks across Australia, and their contribution cannot be overestimated. Many other landholders are now considering joining the network. On the following pages you will find some messages from existing WLT members, and we look forward to eventually hearing from all of you in this publication. Don’t forget that big new WLT signs are now available for all WLT members!

WildlifELANDS

THE NEWSLETTER OF HUMANE SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL’S WildlifE lANd TRUST

SanctuariesMore SANcTUARiESjOIN THE FOLd

As we near the end of 2009, two issues are dominating the media — emissions trading legislation and the climate change summit in Copenhagen. HSI has been fully involved in both these processes. Our concern has been to ensure that these legal tools deal effectively with the protection of natural habitats and ecosystems. Nearly a quarter of the world’s carbon emissions come from the destruction of natural habitats and in particular tropical forests. In Australia, land clearing is the fourth largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing 11% of our total national emissions.

HSI will be in Copenhagen as a founding member of the Ecosystems Climate Alliance (ECA) working to ensure as far as possible that the new regime will effectively protect “intact” forests, and that landowners in Australia who forego the right to clear native vegetation, can receive credits under any new Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. Habitat protection has never been more important, and the role of WLT members in the overall scheme of things never more timely.

It is extremely pleasing as usual therefore, to welcome aboard a number of new Wildlife Land Trust member sanctuaries. We particularly welcome eight new sanctuaries managed by Wildlife SOS in India protecting a combined area of over 3000 acres. Wildlife SOS is a very effective Indian conservation organisation lead by Kartick Satyanarayan and Geeta Seshamani who have spearheaded the campaign to remove all “dancing” bears (sloth bears) from the streets of India. In the process of doing so, they have established a number of sanctuaries for sloth bears and other wildlife, which also act as havens for a myriad of species, including leopards, elephants and hyenas. We will bring news of these beautiful places in our next newsletter and on the WLT website.

Masthead and the endangered glossy black cockatoo taken by WLT member John McCann at his property, “Caspers Hideaway”.

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Valley

Cedar Creek

OwnersWlT SANcTUARy OWNERS

Messages from

Lockyercaron issac lockyer Valley Queensland

The Lockyer Valley became our home over ten years ago. We moved to the bush for a different lifestyle with fresh air, tranquillity and an abundance of wildlife. This led to my decision to train to become a wildlife carer to learn more about the flora and fauna. I learnt about protecting the environment for this wildlife and went on to the care/release of many brushtail possums.

Over the last two years there has seen many housing estates in this area established from the farming land previously. Development has seen a vast loss of trees in the area, many of which I had released my possums. It is now that we need to secure our natural habitat for wildlife. Initially I felt that we only had six acres and would not qualify. We qualified and I feel that we are making a difference. A lot of small voices can make a big statement if we just all make the effort to register and do our own small bit where we can.

My land is home to many different species of wildlife, especially the birds and possums that come in daily for a drink and a snack. Koalas, macropods, monitors, echidnas and more visit occasionally. Joining HSI and securing my land felt the right thing to do and an important thing to do. I enjoy talking to Danielle at HSI about any concerns that I have. I would like to encourage all landholders however small or large to give our all our wildlife the best chance we can.

Roz and Kevin Holm cedar creek Wildlife Refuge New South Wales

Cedar Creek Wombat Rescue and Wildlife Refuge is the life’s work of Roz and Kevin Holme. Located within the Brokenback Range of the Hunter Valley, it is 200 acres of preserved bush land dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of native wildlife. Roz and Kev have spent most of lives rescuing and treating wildlife. Treating sarcoptic mange in wombats has become their main focus as few people are willing to accept the challenge of this difficult disease especially in the large adults. [Roz is also a vet nurse, and they now have a portable wildlife hospital and is also a wildlife consultant at Kulnura vet clinic.] There are many wombats in the surrounding areas that are affected and local property owners enlist Roz and Kev to try to preserve the native fauna. They also take in young wombats that have been hand-reared and train them for release, giving them the skills to be better able to survive in the wild. The property serves as a release site for most native animals that have found their way into care and then need to be returned to the natural environment. The abundance of native flora makes the property ideal for many species including koala, swamp wallaby, red neck wallaby, common wallaroo, eastern grey kangaroo, rock wallaby and of course wombat. There are also many birds, including the glossy black cockatoo, yellow tail and red tail and gang-gang cockatoos. All rehab animals are gradually returned to their natural state and become less accustomed to people.

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WildlifELANDSISSUE 5 2009

Glen Eden

Cedar Creek

SanctuaryMarg Wetsteyn and Aki Gren “Glen Eden” in New South Wales

‘Glen Eden’ is a 2129 acre property at Torrington, NW of Glen Innes in New South Wales. The area is recognised as a biodiversity hotspot and we are lucky to adjoin part of the 75,000 acre Torrington State Conservation Area which means that our property forms part of a regional wildlife corridor. We have about 300 acres of lightly treed pasture and the balance of bush made up of woodland, ephemeral mature peat swamps (very ephemeral at the moment although there is still some permanent water) including one with rare mound springs, and large outcrops.

It is home to several rare and threatened species of fauna, including glossy black cockatoos, brown treecreepers, diamond firetails, tusked frogs, and is suitable habitat for many others which we have not yet encountered but hope to meet one day — or night. The flora is very diverse and again, several endangered and threatened plants occur, including the endemic Torrington Pea and Torrington Mint Bush.

When we bought ‘Glen Eden’ we did not realise what an ecological gem we had acquired and it has been a truly delightful experience to explore and discover the beauty and diversity of this place.

In the past, most of the Torrington area has been ravaged by mining (mainly for tin) and associated clearing for pit props, and also by fossicking for gem stones, but where allowed it has regenerated very well.

We even have on our land an old open-cut land mine which now has mature eucalyptus and tree ferns growing in it, and is curiously quite a thing of beauty and a testament to nature’s resilience.

Old mineshafts provide habitat for micro bats, ferns and other plants. Stock have been excluded from the bush since we bought the property about four years ago. Although they only had winter access, we have noticed an improvement in the understorey and ground cover.

We are fortunate to have very few weeds and not too large a feral pest problem, and are anxious to preserve this country, as it will naturally evolve in the future and are negotiating a Voluntary Conservation Agreement to permanently protect the non-pasture part of the property.

Why did we join WLT? We are passionate about protecting the health of the environment and the preservation of remaining wild places. We feel it is vital to have respect for all living things. We expect to sign our VCA shortly and feel that joining WLT will complement that agreement.

By joining WLT we will hopefully encourage others to do likewise as we believe there is great urgency in stopping the thoughtless destruction of biodiversity and natural habitat if animals, plants and humans are to be kept from extinction.

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WattleGoldenOwnersMessages fromWlT SANcTUARy OWNERS Shirley cowling “Golden Wattle” Victoria

I wished to join as many wildlife groups which could not only assist me manage my property but also ensure that it is preserved for generations to come, and so I came to join Wildlife Land Trust. I do not want my property “ripped apart” with trees, scrub and bush destroyed forever. Instead I would like to see this beautiful part of our earth preserved and so I contacted both WLT and Land for Wildlife so my property could be listed and could not be destroyed upon my death.

Joining Wildlife Land Trust is one way we can help conserve and manage wildlife on our property. It will help conserve our unique Australian native plants and animals, and preserve our natural and cultural features of our environment. Did you know that we have over 1500 different native species of bees?

My property is just under 12 acres so is very small compared to others. It is set in a beautiful area of South Gippsland with views of hills and the far distant sea.

I believe it should be for all to enjoy and being involved in the disability field, my aim is to one day combine my projects with Riding for the Disabled and Respite Care for Carers and their loved ones in a tranquil setting with areas fenced off for fauna and flora while still fulfilling a purpose for the disabled. There is nothing as relaxing as listening to the birds in bush singing while they make their home in a safe surrounding, or the sight of brilliant flowers and the clean fresh smell of the bush.

My project will take me a while to fulfil. In the mean time I know that I can call on WLT for guidance and enjoy the learning experiences of others.

The Maples

Olive and Reg Waltham “The Maples” Queensland

Greatly disturbed at the “ruthless extractive view towards nature”, we saw WLT as an opportunity to contribute, in a small way, our 171 acres towards preservation of habitat for wildlife, also believing “humans [are] not the only creature who matter.” Elevated 2500 feet on the Atherton Tablelands, our property hosts prolific bird life including rifle, cat, and whip birds, golden whistlers, rare and endangered species such as the Herbert River possum, Lumholtz’s tree kangaroo, green and red eyed tree frogs that frequent the water fall, our shower, and 30 acre rainforest remnant and revegetation plots — all seriously affected by Cyclone Larry and are now recovering. Recognising our limitations, we continue planting. Ideally we would love to see the whole property re-afforested!

Eastern yellow robin. Photo by John McCann.

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Wattle

WildlifELANDSISSUE 5 2009

Protecting

WlT PROTEcTiNG THREATENEd SpECIES ANd HAbITATSThe Commonwealth Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts maintains a Protected Matters Search Tool on their website. This tool can be used to identify all the threatened species and ecological communities, listed marine and migratory species protected under the national environment law that may occur at all locations across Australia.

The reports generated using this tool for our Australian WLT properties have been remarkable. Collectively, our current 43 member properties are likely to be protecting 9 threatened ecological communities, 71 threatened animal species, 88 threatened plants, 24 migratory species, and the fly-over areas for 17 listed marine birds.

This demonstrates the important conservation work being achieved by WLT members across the country, and we are immensely proud of the program’s role in protecting threatened species and habitats.

If you know the GPS coordinates of your property, you can obtain a report on the species and ecological communities your sanctuary may be protecting by using the Protected Matters Search Tool athttp://www.environment.gov.au/erin/ert/epbc/index.html

Protecting TASMANiA’S gIANT kELp FORESTS

The east and south coasts of Tasmania are the only places where the giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, exists in Australia’s waters. A unique and dynamic ecosystem, giant kelp forests are one of the most spectacular marine habitats in temperate Australia, and are of outstanding ecological significance, representing areas of high biodiversity and productivity. This ecological community, however, has suffered a significant decline throughout its distribution over the last 50 years, and its limited distribution makes it particularly susceptible to continuing threats. To protect the community from continuing decline, HSI has nominated the giant kelp forests of the east and south coasts of Tasmania for national protection as an endangered ecological community under Commonwealth law.

While the community is dominated by the giant kelp species, its three dimensional structure creates a complex habitat of immense biodiversity that supports an abundance of marine fauna. It provides shelter and habitat for fish species, molluscs, bryozoans, polychaete worms, crustaceans such as crabs, isopods and amphipods, echinoderms and sponges. These species live throughout the kelp plants — on the holdfast, among the kelp fronds, on the kelp plants themselves, and in the low light areas of the seafloor beneath the kelp canopy. The disappearance of giant kelp would therefore have significant downstream effects on marine biodiversity.

A decision on the listing is due in 2012.

© iStockphoto.com/Todd Winner.

Endangered brush-tailed rock wallaby. Photo by John McCann.

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StatesUnitedThe Hartranft Wildlife Sanctuary is 40 acres of high desert teeming with wildlife. From mountain lions to prairie dogs, from coyotes to chipmunks, wild animals who call this home are free to thrive in their native habitat in Dolores Colorado. At the Hartranft Wildlife Sanctuary there will be no further development, and recreational and commercial hunting and trapping are forever prohibited.

The expansiveness of this high desert property in Dolores, Colorado, makes it ideal habitat for far-ranging animals such as mountain lions and coyotes. These species in particular are suffering from great habitat loss across not only Colorado but across the United States. And as a home to prairie dogs, a designated keystone species, the Hartranft Wildlife Sanctuary provides food and habitat for at least 59 other species, including 29 varieties of birds, 21 mammals, five reptiles, and four amphibians.

An irrigation canal running through the property provides habitat for beaver, and a deep canyon across one corner creates lookout ledges for hawks.

In 2005 Charles Hartranft signed a conservation easement with the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust to protect his land and the wildlife who live there forever. He continues to live on the property, gardening and enjoying the wildlife, secure in the knowledge that he has provided permanent protection for the land and the animals who depend on it.

The Meadowcreek Wildlife Sanctuary takes its name from the Meadow Creek that runs through the beautiful Ozark Mountain Region of Arkansas.

This 1,140 acre, lushly meadowed and forested sanctuary is part of a much larger greenway. Breathtaking mountains, creeks, ponds, and wetland flora provide food, water, and shelter for deer, fox, opossums, skunk, coyotes, rabbits, and red and grey fox, as well as bear and bobcats.

Caprile Wildlife Sanctuary is located 17 miles SE of Gary, Indiana and 40 miles SE of Chicago, Illinois. This 15 acre property is a mix of forested and open wetland areas. An artificial pond has been created along the northern boundary and there are extensive areas of brush and open wetlands throughout the property.

Forested areas are dominated by mature oak and hickory forests. The surrounding areas are generally agricultural, with subdivisions being developed into communities. Protecting this land for wildlife becomes increasingly important as more of the area becomes residential.

The Caprile Wildlife Sanctuary is now home to raccoons, deer, opossum, coyote, beavers, woodchuck, muskrats, bats, herons, fox, numerous frogs and birds. These animals have a permanent safe haven to thrive and raise their young for generations to come.

An introduction to someWlT MEMBER SANcTUARiES IN THE UNITEd STATES

River otter © iStockphoto.com/bstorage. American bobcat © iStockphoto.com/moncoeur.

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StatesWildlifELANDS

ISSUE 5 2009

Able Wildlife Sanctuary

Ken and Mary Able looked long and hard for the perfect place to retire: a wide open landscape where they could do their part to permanently protect the habitat of animals large and small. The Ables found their dream on rangeland in the Fall River Valley of northern California, on a 400 acre mix of woodlands, rocky outcrops, grassy meadows, and ponds and streams.

In 2006 they signed a conservation easement with the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust, establishing this property as the Able Wildlife Sanctuary. This conservation easement, as all easements accepted by the Wildlife Land Trust, permanently prohibits recreational and comm-ercial hunting and trapping, destructive logging practices and further development of the property.

The Able Wildlife Sanctuary is home to more than 130 species of birds, from golden and bald eagles to sandhill cranes and woodpeckers, as well as antelopes, mule deer, coyotes, marmots, gray foxes and river otters. Cougars and bobcats live in the rocky outcrops, and untold numbers of amphibians and reptiles occupy the areas around the ponds and streams.

Because the property is bordered on three sides by land under permanent protection by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the placement of the WLT easement on it created an even larger, more connected habitat area. Creating these larger areas is vital to wildlife who need broader territories to maintain healthy populations.

Increasing PROTEcTiON FOR CUMbERLANd pLAIN WOOdLANd

HSI was responsible for the original listing of Cumberland Plain Woodland in western Sydney as an endangered ecological community in 1998. It was, in fact, the first such listing under both the Commonwealth and NSW threatened species laws, and its remnants have since also been listed as Commonwealth Heritage places under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Yet despite its protected status at both the national and state level, ongoing urban encroachment and development have continued to fragment and decimate the community. A mere 8.8% of its pre-European extent now remains. This prompted HSI to nominate the remaining woodlands for upgraded protection as a critically endangered ecological community under both Commonwealth and NSW legislation in 2007.

Ubiquitous clearing has severely compromised the ecological function of this community. The loss of large trees has reduced the available habitat for a range of animal species, and has been associated with the historical decline and local extinction of numerous birds that were once common to the community. Small ground-dwelling mammals, and a number of reptiles and amphibians, have also experienced significant declines.

Located in an urban growth centre, the remaining extent of Cumberland Plain Woodland remains vulnerable to small-scale clearing associated with transport infrastructure, and urban and industrial development. Additional threats from weed invasion, grazing by livestock and rabbits, chemical and structural soil modification associated with agricultural land uses, and altered fire regimes are all taking a toll. Accordingly, the NSW Scientific Committee last year made the preliminary determination to upgrade the protection status of the community to critically endangered under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, however we still await the Committee’s final decision. A decision on whether Cumberland Plain Woodland will receive increased protection at the national level is due at the end of 2009.

Woodland

Golden eagle © iStockphoto.com/cybermarti.

Photo by Emma Gorrod.

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Klipkop WildlifeKliPKOP WILdLIFE SANCTUARYUpdate from

By Julie Blair

Birds and animals also play a role in this succession process, through the distribution and recycling of seed and nutrients.

Veld quality can be formally assessed through the determination of ‘ecological status’. Annual birth rates are also a reliable indicator. At Klipkop, we monitor both. Whether game numbers increase through natural population growth or acquisition, we must be mindful of the carrying capacity of the reserve. Over-grazing is a significant cause of environmental degradation, which takes substantial time and resources to rectify — if at all.

Having said this, we retain the principle of ‘room for one more’ — especially when it comes to rescued and rehabilitated birds and wildlife. Between 2002-2005, Klipkop Wildlife Sanctuary operated a bird and small rehabilitation centre on-site. The Centre’s manager, Judy Davidson, was responsible for the rehabilitation and release of hundreds of feathered, fury, slimy and scaly creatures onto Klipkop (or other suitable territory). Those unable to be released were given a permanent sanctuary at the Centre.

In 2006, the Centre unfortunately had to be relocated. The good work of Judy Davidson continues at ‘Wildlife in Crisis’, Delmas — approximately 1 hour from Klipkop. We still receive a variety of birds, mammals and amphibians for release. Our latest resident, a significantly sized porcupine, was given a most unusual welcome. He was driven, in a sedan, onto the reserve. The cage in which he was travelling flew open in transit over a bumpy road, and he elected to spend the rest of the journey wedged under the drivers seat. All doors were opened so he could alight from the vehicle in whatever way he saw fit! (One cannot handle a porcupine without risk of serious injury.)

The African porcupine is a type of rodent that has long needle-sharp spines, up to 50cm long, which cover their entire back. Both the male and female weigh between 18 to 30 kg and are 60-70 cm long. The spines come off when shaken off, but they quickly grow back. Contrary to myth, these spines cannot function as projectiles. When cornered, porcupines can be aggressive, running sideways or backwards to embed their quills into their attacker. Releasing wildlife is an immensely satisfying experience. You have helped return a creature to its rightful home — the wild.

South Africa is blessed with an extraordinary diversity of wildlife — it is ranked as the third most biologically diverse country on the planet. This is attributed in part to the richness of the vertebrate community: over 240 mammal species, 850 bird species, and 370 reptiles and amphibians. We feel privileged to have even a fraction of these species at our ‘back door’.

Maintaining the inherent biodiversity of the area relies on good veld management practises. Habitat must be preserved for species to be saved. Actively controlling invasive plant species and addressing erosion are key components of our environmental management plan. Otherwise, we are very fortunate. Due to the size of the reserve (2,200 ha), nature can be allowed to ‘run its course’. Intensive land management practises are typically not required.

With time, and perhaps a little help, pioneer plant species associated with disturbed soil yield to ecological succession. Tough pioneer plants, protected by thorns, bitter taste and limited transpiration, provide food, shade and increased moisture for ‘better’ plants. These, in turn, improve conditions for growth of higher succession plants — and so on, up to a theoretical ‘climax’ within the climatic limits of the region.

African brush-tailed porcupine© iStockphoto.com/bucky_za.

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Klipkop Wildlife HumaneWildlifELANDS

ISSUE 5 2009

WlT AT MUdGEE fARM FIELd dAYSThe Small Farm Field Days see thousands of small-block farmers and rural landholders from all around NSW flock to Mudgee each year for two days of exhibitions and shows. This year, the WLT teamed up with HSI’s Humane Choice ethical farming label to be one of nearly 500 exhibitors at the event.

There was a great deal of interest in the WLT and we were able to talk to people about the wonderful habitat protection and restoration work being accomplished by WLT members all over Australia. We distributed a lot of information on the program, including our new brochures and recent issues of Wildlife Lands, and spoke to representatives of Landcare and local environment groups about the WLT and HSI’s broader habitat protection programs.

Similarly, HSI’s Humane Choice accreditation scheme for humanely produced meat products was extremely well received, and generated much interest from local farmers and distributors. HSI is looking forward to expanding the WLT and Humane Choice through the friends we made in Mudgee.

ConsumerSurveyFarmPROdUcT lABElliNG NATIONAL CONSUMER SURVEY

It has never been more difficult for consumers to make informed choices when purchasing animal-derived food products. As public awareness of the plight and suffering of the more than 500 million animals in factory farm environments continues to grow, consumers are faced with a range of poorly defined terms and product labels that are increasingly difficult to decipher, and provide no information on the farm production methods used.

HSI’s recent national consumer survey on product labelling revealed that consumers are confused about the meanings of some of the most pervasive terms in use, such as barn laid, cage-free and bred free-range. The survey also showed that consumers want a reform of product labelling. A massive 98.3% of respondents agreed that full and adequate labelling is every consumer’s right, yet only 7.4% believed that current labels give enough information to allow them to make informed purchasing decisions.

HSI has repeatedly called on the Government to urgently reform all legislation relating to the labelling of meat, eggs and dairy products. Finally, the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council has begun the most comprehensive review of food labelling law and policy in recent times. We have been assured that labelling terms related to animal-welfare descriptors will be discussed as part of the review. HSI will be making a detailed submission to the inquiry.

HSI is calling for a national and mandatory labelling scheme that allows the use of only a limited number of labelling terms that are legally defined, and relate to criteria on the source of the product, the type of housing provided and the specific standards of husbandry, transport and slaughter that include consistent national standards for animal welfare.

This national system of labelling would at last enable consumers to make informed choices on the basis of animal welfare, environmental, and health concerns.

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ConservationLandcONSERVATiON GRANTS ANNOUNCEd

PrivateThe WLT, in conjunction with the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife, the Paddy Pallin Foundation, the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change, the Nature Conservation Trust of NSW and the Diversicon Environment Foundation, recently announced the recipients of this year’s “Private Land Conservation Grants”. Open to properties within NSW that are covered by a perpetually binding conservation covenant, and administered by the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife, this program provides funding from $500 up to $3,000 to enhance the conservation efforts of privately owned properties across the state.

With a total of $50,000 available, this year saw 21 voluntary conservation agreement holders receive Private Land Conservation Grants for outstanding efforts on their properties to restore native vegetation, manage weeds, and enhance the habitats of endangered species. The WLT will keep you informed as the next funding round opens in May 2010.

HSI congratulates WLT member Garth Dixon on receiving a grant to control serrated tussock grass in threatened powerful owl and red-tailed black cockatoo habitat, on “Ooyella” Sanctuary.

Following are the other recipients of the grants for 2009.

• KenRubeliof“Mundhuk Wildlife Refuge” in Dungog To remove native grape vine to allow regeneration of rainforest.

• ChristianAlexanderandDorotheaHoltmannof“Omaru” in Niangala To remove riverbank weed for the endangered Booroolong Frog and installation of nest boxes for threatened yellow-bellied gliders and masked and powerful owls.

• JohnandLoisPriorof“Cedar Ridge” in Condong To control weeds in high conservation value rainforest.

• DerekSkingleof“Sandy Pinch” in Goolmangar To control lantana for the threatened “Thorny Pea” Desmodium acanthocladum.

• EsmeWoodofGalston To install a silt fence and control weeds along a rocky creek bed to prevent spread to endangered Turpentine-Iron Bark forest.

• Croome Reserve, Shellharbour City Council To remove weeds to protect the endangered Illawarra Greenhood Orchid Pterostylis gibbosa and Chorizema parvifolia.

• JamesandPatriaCameronof“Yallaroo” in Tooraweenah To thin regenerating Callitris pine to protect Phebalium nottii.

• RodandAlexandraTusonof“Kennedy Park” in Mount David To control weeds for the threatened purple copper butterfly Paralucia spinifera.

• NationalParksAssociationofNSWfor“Wheeler Creek” in Beacons Hill To control weeds along a cliff line for the threatened powerful owls, heath monitors and red crowned toadlets.

• VickiPowysof“Rocklands” in the Capertee Valley To control weeds to protect Box Gum Woodland and associated fauna.

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ConservationWildlifELANDS

ISSUE 5 2009

cONSERVATiON GRANTS ANNOUNCEd

Grants

• VivianHeriotof“Warrawee” in Wyndham To install nest boxes for the threatened barking owl, yellow-bellied glider and large-footed mouse-eared bat.

• ArnoldandMaryVayoof“Vineyard Haven” in New Italy To produce tree identification signs educating visitors about the enhanced growth of flora and the protection of fauna.

• KenRippinandMariaBarbieriofRowlands Creek, Uki To control weeds in high conservation value rainforest.

• LawrenceErnstof“Calmhaven” in Woodburn To restore habitat for the threatened glossy black cockatoo, bush hen and barking owl.

• RayandSusanPitstockofMangrove Mountain To control whisky grass and lantana for the threatened spreading guinea flower Hibbertia procumbens and Tetratheca glandulosa.

• “Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve” in Jamberoo To control weeds in high conservation Tree Fern Swamp and produce plant identifier markers and pamphlets for an educational walk.

• WayneStokesandMarciaMacartneyof“Marway Conservation Area” in Tumbarumba To control weeds and manage pests for the threatened powerful owl and gang-gang cockatoo.

• JohnEggertofBeechwood To control weeds in high conservation value forest for the threatened turquoise parrot, barking owl, powerful owl, masked owl, sooty owl, spotted-tailed quoll, eastern false pipistrelle, common bentwing bat, brush-tailed phascogale, koala, grey-headed flying fox, yellow-bellied sheath-tail bat and the greater broad-nosed bat.

• VictoriaBlackof“Bundari, Mt Evernden” in Rockley Mountain To spray serrated tussock grass in habitat containing threatened Silver-leafed Mountain Gums and koalas.

• DonaldEdwardsof“Treehaven” in Uki To control weeds in lowland subtropical rainforest and adjacent koala habitat.

All photos courtesy of John McCann of “Caspers Hideaway” Sanctuary.

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WildlifELANDSISSUE 5 2009

MissionGoals

JoinOur Mission:

Wildlife Land Trust Australia protects wildlife by preserving natural habitats and permanent sanctuaries.

Our Goals:

To see the protection of one million acres of wildlife habitat across Australia in the Wildlife Land Trust sanctuary network.

To seek the expansion of Wildlife Land Trust sanctuary partnerships throughout Africa, India and south-east Asia.

Wildlife Land TrustPO Box 439 Avalon NSW 2107 AustraliaTelephone +61 2 9973 1728 Facsimile +61 2 9973 1729Email wlt@hsi.org.auwww.hsi.org.au/wltwww.wildlifelandtrust.org

Become part of a national and international wildlife sanctuary network!

How to join the Wildlife land TrustThe WLT site at www.wlt.org provides details of the Trust’s international activities, while our own site at www.hsi.org.au provides information on the Australian WLT program (click on Wildlife Land Trust on left of front page or in the Feature Campaigns box). If you would like to register your property with the WLT, you can access a downloadable PDF “expression of interest form” or a full “application form” on the website, which can then be sent directly to us in Sydney.

Joining the WLT starts with a non-binding ‘letter of agreement’ which spells out our joint commitment to protecting wildlife on your sanctuary, followed by a certificate of membership, regular newsletters and news items, signs for your property and further advice on stronger protection methods for your property if you require it.

We will endeavour to provide answers to questions and queries about managing your sanctuary for the benefit of all wildlife, and to facilitate communication between sanctuary owners and managers. Your sanctuary will also be featured on the members’ page of the WLT website and in the Australian WLT newsletters, enabling you to share with a like-minded network of worldwide sanctuary owners, the important conservation work you are undertaking for wildlife and habitats in Australia.

Joining the WLT is entirely voluntary, with no legal obligations or costs involved. It is designed to complement any existing or future agreements you might enter into to protect your land and we very much hope that this new initiative will be attractive to you.

If you would like to talk about this invitation directly, please call Michael Kennedy on 1800 333 737 or email him at michael@hsi.org.au

Boobook owl. Photo by John McCann.

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