Protecting Potoroos and their Native Neighbours -Project Summary
The Two Peoples Bay/Manypeaks/Waychinicup region, a short drive (35 km) northeast of Albany, is a mixed farming area with three major nature reserves and the Waychinicup National Park. This area is highly significant to residents, tourists, the scientific community, and the Minang Traditional Owners. Two famous endemic and threatened fauna species live exclusively in the area, the Gilbert’s Potoroo and Noisy Scrub Bird, and recently an attempt to re-establish a population of the Critically Endangered Western Ground Parrot commenced. Additionally, there are 10 other threatened fauna species with significant populations in this area including the Australasian Bittern, Western Ringtail Possum and Quokka. Many groups have carried out work to protect these remarkable animals in this area including the Department of Biodiversity and Conservations and Attractions (DBCA), BirdLife WA, the Gilbert’s Potoroo Action Group (GPAG), Friends of the Western Ground Parrot (FWGP) and more.
One of the main threats these animals face is that of feral cats. Oyster Harbour Catchment Group with 30 years of natural resource management are excited to support the Albany and Surrounds Feral Cat Working Group (ASFCWG) to implement the “Protecting Potoroos and Their Neighbours” project. Jenni Loveland, founder of the Albany and Surrounds Feral Cat Working Group and coordinator of this project.
The ASFCWG received a grant from State Natural Resource Management to implement a project to value-add to the introduced predator management works currently taking place in the area. The aim is to increase community awareness of this remarkable biodiversity hotspot, focussing on the importance of protecting the 13 threatened species and the damage/impact feral and roaming cats have on the native wildlife population.
The ASFCWG will fill the role of a community liaison officer working with residents and school children to encourage sustainable social change. The role will include fostering the benefits to cats by keeping them safely contained to your property; discovering barriers and opportunities for feral and barn cat control; providing education to the community about how to protect the special biodiversity of this unique region, and keeping the community updated on the significant investment organisations have made in protecting native animals.
For information contact Jenni Loveland jenni.loveland@ohcg.org.au
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Grazer Matcher 2021
The Oyster Harbour Catchment Grazer Matcher Group had their last meeting in February after meeting at eight farms over the last 12 months. Grazing Matcher is hands-on group catchup with discissions around assisting producers to make better decisions.
The three simple messages to get right
- Implement a basic rotational grazing plan
- Leave correct pasture residue after grazing
- Fill the gaps when required
Over the last twelve months, a group of eight enterprises have met eight times for the afternoon covering management tools to assist with increased productivity and identify upcoming management plans throughout the season to achieve the magic three. This often created many healthy conversations within the group.
Grazing Management Principles provide for quality fodder production. This includes evaluating annual feed budgeting with daily herd intake requirements, protein concentration and energy requirements for animal production and Autumn deferral. There are varied nutritional requirements are required by stock throughout the season. For example; leading up to joining, calving, post-calving, weaning and dry stock.
Business fundamentals and monitoring to compare Profit vs Production with the fundamentals. All eight producers on reflection had all taken home valuable information that was easy to apply to their individual operations.
The success of the workshop has enabled a further Grazer Matcher to run in 2022.
Grazing MatcherTM is a joint initiative of Western Beef Association Inc. and Southwest Catchments Council through funding from the Australian government’s National Landcare Program and is supported by Meat & Livestock Australia’s Profitable Grazing Systems program, GeoCatch and Healthy Estuaries WA, a WA Government Royalties for Regions program.
The program is run with the support of Livestock Adviser: Jeisane Accioly, Agronomists: Dan Parnell and Veterinarian: Dario Nandapi.
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We need your help: "Turning Gardener's into Conservationists" survey
One of our partners Albany UWA has asked us all to fill out this questionnaire that Perth NRM and UWA Albany have developed for the "Turning Gardener's into Conservationists" project.
This project is a four year Australian Government funded project that looks at the biodiversity and human wellbeing benefits of wildlife-friendly gardening. We are looking to work with citizens all over southwestern Australia to help us monitor wildlife in gardens and install wildlife-friendly structures.
To recruit residents for this citizen science project and to gather data on human wellbeing benefits we have developed a short questionnaire. Would OHCG be able to promote this to staff, on social media, and any other media channels you can think of? I have attached some promotional text with the link to the questionnaire below and a few photos for eye candy on social media posts.
How do you feel about wildlife in your backyard? Does it contribute to your wellbeing?
Help investigate whether wildlife and wildlife-friendly gardening have biodiversity and human wellbeing benefits by taking a short survey (approximately 10 minutes).
As part of this survey, you can choose to register your interest to take part in an exciting citizen science project investigating what wildlife is found in gardens and how they use wildlife-friendly structures!
To complete the survey, click here: https://uwa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9zV9qRv64evFDvg
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Oyster Harbour Update 2022
The 2022 Oyster Harbour Estuary Forum was a successful event held in February at the Albany Entertainment Centre (Kalyelup studio) with 75 people attending. Aimed at informing the general community about the Healthy Estuaries WA (HEWA) program, guests were treated to a range of informative presentations from scientists, government, research staff, students, industry and community group representatives.
The Healthy Estuaries WA Program was introduced by Jennifer Stritzke (DWER), who explained how elements of HEWA (monitoring, stream restoration and sustainable agriculture) continue on from the success of the previous REI project.
Bruce Radys from OHCG updated attendees on the range of activities being implemented locally by OHCG, including the Whole Farm Nutrient Mapping carried out with Farmers in conjunction with DPIRD.
Catherine Thompson’s (DWER senior scientist) overview of long term results of water quality monitoring in the Harbour showed a general improvement in water quality and seagrass cover over recent years. Of particular interest was the water flow and nutrient inputs during last year’s high rainfall events, which did show a ‘spike’ in water flow and nutrient levels, but not apparent long term effects on Harbour health.
Elke Reichwaldt reported on the City of Albany Centennial Park Wetland - which is looking good, with good plant growth and evidence of nutrient stripping at low flow rates.
Joe from Harvest Road outlined sustainable management practices being implemented in the new aquaculture operation, including a large scale survey and clean up of rubbish in the Harbour.
UWA student Sonja Pascho is carrying out research to determine the potential of cockles in the Harbour as environmental/biological indicators. Her talk outlined research methods including Carbon tracing and showed how fascinating these small bivalves can be.
After completion of the presentations, MC Jo Tomlinson facilitated a panel discussion where guests asked questions to the panel of speakers. Further discussions continued over supper to round out an informative and entertaining evening.
Resilience and adaptability have been key to our Harbour health, see the condition of the estuary 2016-19 report. The report can be found here.
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Porongurup Friends: Protect the Porongurup Range campaign
The Friends of the Porongurup Range are deeply concerned about the Porongurup National Park Trail Masterplan that is being proposed by the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (Parks and Wildlife). Having voiced this concern they are quite disappointed by the trail development process progressing to the next stage see statement here.
Contractors; Common Ground trials, a trail planning and design consultancy have been engaging with stakeholders of Porongurup National Park and have produced the linked report: COMMUNITY AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY REPORT
Their conclusions were as follows:
Based on feedback received, landscape analysis and market analysis, Common Ground Trails
recommend that DBCA proceed with the master plan and trail development process. The master plan will set out a vision for trails appropriate to the park and identify areas that need further
environmental, dieback and cultural heritage assessment for both revitalised trails and new trails for walkers and cyclists.
We acknowledge there are sensitive values within the Porongurup National Park, we have assessed
available data and this will be factored into the development of the master plan recommendations. As per the trail development process (refer to Figure 1) postmaster plan each trail proposal will be subject to thorough site assessment (stage 3 of the process) prior to further concept planning. In this site assessment phase, qualified consultants will be engaged to assess the current values. Further detailed on the ground assessments and surveys will be undertaken in Stage 5 Corridor Evaluation.
All parties consulted have acknowledged the need for environmental, economic and social improvements in the area and that the Porongurup needs additional stewards. It was noted and in our professional opinion, we agree, that trails and trail users could offer this additional stewardship if the trails are high quality and sustainably planned and developed.
See more about the Porongurup area via the friend's website \www.porongurup.org.au/ and join them to be involved in their passionate activities.
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