Healing a critically endangered swamp – Hesperilla Conservation Park one year later

Back in late March 2023, following a prescribed burn, NGT oversaw earthworks at Hesperilla Conservation Park, a reserve that protects an important remnant of the critically endangered Fleurieu Peninsula Swamp ecological community. The earthworks backfilled several drains that were drawing groundwater out of the swamp and dehydrating the upper level of the peat that underlies this swamp. We shared the story about these works in our April 2023 newsletter.

We first recommended these works in our restoration plan for Hesperilla back in 2017. It has been over a year (15 months actually) since the drain was backfilled so we are pleased to be able to share a photographic record of the results so far, from photopoints that we established prior to the works. As you’ll see, a large drain infested with blackberry along both sides, feral pines and ash trees, is now well on the way to becoming good quality Fleurieu Swamp vegetation once again. The results are due to hydrological restoration but also the great work in weed control being done by the Friends of Stipiturus and Hesperilla Conservation Parks, revegetation supported by the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board and the generous support of adjoining landholder Andrew Peresano, who’s property the swamp extends into, so a great team effort.

NGT’s work at Hesperilla was supported by the Friends of Stipiturus and Hesperilla Conservation Parks through the National Parks and Wildlife Service Friends of Parks ‘Partnership Grants’ Program.

A special thank you to NGT intern Vicki Bruce for collating these images.