Period: 2018-19

Funding Body: National Landcare Program, South Coast NRM

Funds: $125,183

Project Officers: Karina Bateman

Summary

This is an introductory project involving scoping of activities which will then form the basis in developing the future of this project (years 2-5) around the key topics addressing: Climate Action and EPBC Species in the Gillamii sub region, and also scoping Aboriginal Farming relationships/building NRM knowledge, in the South Coast NRM region from Denmark to Esperance.

• Climate Action: Supporting the region to adapt, innovate and address market demands for sustainable food production.

• EPBC Species: Exploring new opportunities for improving the status of 20/20 priority listed threatened species in the South Coast Region Management.

• Aboriginal Farming: Develop relationships with five NLE properties, or Aboriginal groups, currently operating. Bringing scientists, indigenous people and NRM community together to protect threatened species.

Outcome

• Climate Action: 20 surveys to collect baseline data on knowledge of climate change and adoption of new tools or strategies. 4 greenhouse gas farm surveys using established methodology were undertaken. And 3km of fencing to protect 27ha of marginal land, and 5ha of native fodder species (saltbush) was established near the Balicup Wetland Suite to protect marginal farming land on private properties to changing climatic conditions.

• EPBC Species: Listed as vulnerable, the Western Quoll (Dasyurus geoffroii), or Chuditch, is a carnivorous marsupial similar in size to a small domestic cat. Gillamii identified a significant corridor being Stirling Range National Park to Hamilla Hill to undertake 1200ha feral animal baiting program on private farmland for pest control primarily foxes. In this same location 10ha of weed control was also undertaken to protect the chuditch natural habitat. (Side note: ABC Great Southern reported March 2019 Bush Heritage Australia have spotted a Chuditch or Western Quoll as part of their monitoring program, the first one that’s been seen since monitoring started in the mid 2000’s in the Stirling Range and Fitzgerald River National Parks.)

• Aboriginal Farming: Review of 5 existing Indigenous Land Corporation property farm plans (or Aboriginal groups), update and improve based on activities already completed. Collection of 20 surveys on baseline data on knowledge of climate change and adoption of new tools or strategies.

Report

No report available