The NGT blogs are back – and there is a lot to catch up on!
To say we’ve been a little busy at NGT over the past couple of months would be a serious understatement, with a plethora of project reports to finalise before the end of financial year – and unfortunately this has kept us a bit quieter than usual on the blogs. So to keep you up to date with the latest happenings, we’re now taking a moment out to share some of the latest news from the past couple of months in this June 2017 update.
For me personally, the last couple of months have involved a lot of travel – and while this has mostly been work related, I did also manage to duck down to Wilsons Promontory (VIC) with my daughter Elly for a few days of hiking in early May. If you haven’t been there before, the hiking is fantastic and the coastal views are absolutely stunning – as you can see!
Early May 2017 – On top of the world at Wilsons Prom – the view from Mt Oberon.
Then there has been the hydrological restoration work at Glenshera Swamp (Stipiturus CP) near Mt Compass on the Fleurieu Peninsula (SA). We spent a day in mid May having a look around with project partners at the initial results both on and off park and the early results have been extremely positive. When the current June dry spell ends and we finally get some decent winter rains then things are going to get very interesting!
Mid May 2017 – Inspecting the initial restoration works in and around Stipiturus CP with our project partners from DEWNR and the CCSA.
Then a few days later I gave a brief talk after lunch at the Swamp Fest community planting day, which was a big success. Over 100 people came to help continue the revegetation works in Stipiturus CP, and it was nice to be able to share the message of how the terrestrial revegetation and wetland restoration works are coming together at the site to make a big difference for the conservation of the nationally threatened Fleurieu Swamps ecological community. Well done to the Natural Resources AMLR crew for a fantastic, well organised event!
Late May 2017 – the community came out in force to support habitat restoration at Stipiturus CP at Swamp Fest
Fast forward to early June, and I was also lucky enough to be invited to speak at the South West Victorian Landcare gathering being held this year in Portland.
A great line up of speakers covered a range of topics including the link between on-farm productivity and revegetation works (John Keiler), the use of biochar as a soil conditioner (Doug Philips), conservation works at the Point Danger Coastal Reserve (Andy Govanstone), and the Friends of the Great South West Walk spoke about erosion control at Cape Bridgewater (Bill Golding). Finally, I was also able to share the positive story of what has been achieved over the past few years at Long Swamp, with the wetland restoration trial NGT has implemented there in partnership with the Nelson Coastcare Group, Parks Victoria and the Glenelg Hopkins CMA.
A really informative day and great turnout, with 75 people learning all about what practical landcare action looks like on the ground. Well done to the Glenelg Hopkins CMA and Tarragal Landcare group for putting on a great event!
Early June 2017 – John Keiler speaks to a packed audience of 75 people at the South West Landcare Gathering in Portland, about the the link between on-farm productivity and his long terms program of revegetation works.
