Your chance to learn about 7 years of peatland restoration work: Join us for a Fleurieu Swamps field day in May!

Last time we took a group of people to tour Glenshera Swamp, it was 2017 and our hydrological restoration works on the Fleurieu Peninsula had only just begun. It didn’t take long for water to be returned to this unique ecosystem, via blocking old agricultural drains in several locations with trial sandbag structures to redirect or retain water in the main swamp. Glenshera Swamp, in Stipiturus Conservation Park is located just 60 km south of Adelaide in SA and is the largest remaining example of the Swamps of the Fleurieu Peninsula, a critically endangered and very special ecosystem. Many of you may have been following the story of Glenshera Swamp in our previous posts, and this year we recently completed the next stage of works. You can read the previous 2022 update on some of the recent restoration works undertaken at this site here.

In other exciting news, we’ve just completed the first stage of restoration works at another important nearby Fleurieu Peninsula Swamp – Square Waterhole Swamp in Hesperilla Conservation Park, which is just south of the township of Mount Compass. We completed an investigation into hydrological restoration options for this site way back in 2017, so it’s fantastic to now be able to set things in motion to improve the hydrology of this fascinating site. You can read more about the first stage of restoration works at Square Waterhole Swamp here.

On Saturday the 20th of May, we will be hosting a field day to bring these projects to life. This will include a talk over lunch, when we will showcase the story of both Glenshera Swamp and Square Waterhole Swamp, followed by a field visit to go for a hike around Stipiturus Conservation Park to investigate the various works completed there over the past 7 years. This is a rare opportunity to learn about the eco-hydrology of Fleurieu Swamps, and hear from Mark, Ben and Tessa first-hand about the restoration journey so far of these important peatlands.

So if you live nearby, have been involved in any way, or are just keen to learn more about these special places, please get in touch and book your place – noting that RSVP’s are essential for catering purposes. You can choose to come just for the lunch and talk in Mt Compass (if the afternoon hike is not for you), or join us for the full day. Either way, we’d love to have you along!

Please get in touch with Tessa via email to book your place.