Fennell harvester removing wild pines to support Mt Burr Swamp restoration. Photo: Bryan Haywood, Nature Glenelg Trust
The successful partnership between OneFortyOne (OFO) and Nature Glenelg Trust will continue in 2020 at the Mt Burr Swamp with the creation of habitats to attract native wildlife and an expansion of the on-site cultural learning area. Source: Timberbiz
The two organisations have been working together since 2016 when Nature Glenelg Trust purchased the 300-hectare Mt Burr Swamp Restoration Reserve, which was previously drained for agricultural use, thanks to funding support from OneFortyOne.
More recently, OneFortyOne has contributed its forestry expertise to help remove some wild pines and further restore the swamp, while also expanding the on-site cultural learning area which has been created to facilitate storytelling and learning about cultural heritage on Boandik country.
Nature Glenelg Trust Senior Ecologist Bryan Haywood said the site of the works was chosen following an on-ground inspection by OneFortyOne Area Forester Ian Blackmore and OneFortyOne Research Manager Danielle Wiseman.
“A small area of wild pines was chosen adjacent to Mt Burr Swamp and the new cultural learning area,” he said.
“The aim was to remove the pines from the area and make the site available for habitat restoration while incorporating the expansion of the cultural learning area.
“Fennell Forestry were the local contractor helping with the job and Nature Glenelg Trust are very thankful for their efforts in removing the trees and assisting in preparing the area for future restoration work.”
Restoration of the area will commence in 2021, with Nature Glenelg Trust aiming to plant a number of species as both food and habitat for native species.
“We will plant stringybark trees as a food source for the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Xanthorrhoea’s to help create habitat for Southern Brown Bandicoots and an understorey of various shrubs, grasses and bush foods suited to a sandy soil environment,” Mr Haywood said.
“Native plants significant to Boandik people will also be integrated into the cultural learning area, encouraging Boandik country listening and learning experiences in the future.”
Mr Blackmore said the long-term partnership between OneFortyOne and Nature Glenelg Trust is an important one as it encourages an improvement in biodiversity in the Green Triangle.
“OneFortyOne is proud to provide forestry expertise and funding for crucial projects such as the Mt Burr Swamp,” he said.
“Despite the challenges of COVID-19, we have still been able to complete this important work and support Nature Glenelg Trust and the wider community.”
