Introduction
16:6 heritage Trust consists of four (4) Heritage agreements that share at least one boundary to create a continuity of land situated at the South and Eastern sides of the Sleeper track, Swan Reach. These allotments are under a Trust (legally formed with a constitution) called the 16:6 Heritage Trust. It equates to 2.94 square miles with a boundary of 16 km
In today's dynamic world, there is a real need to restore biodiversity and protect our environment and one of the best means to do this is through privately owned sanctuaries such as heritage agreements.
It is the web of life that encompasses every living organism: our fresh air, soil, water, flora, and fauna that is being impacted so critically through the influences of climate, some man managed out-dated land management practises, feral weed and exotic pest incursion and the continued loss of biodiversity.
In the Mid Murray depression these negative impacts are threatening several of our unique species of plants and animals.
Our aim is to promote the best conservation practises we can, in collaboration with other land holders, Government Agencies and NGO’s.
Through our project work and Grant applications we aim to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the land’s biological diversity so that we can increase our capacity to enhance the values of the land through monitoring, reporting, engagement with other landholders, weed and feral animal control to protect and promote species diversity in our region.
2021 to 2023
Revitalising Private Conservation
We have engaged the assistance of accredited people/companies to verify:
- The existing broad (non-ground truthed) vegetation mapping (Ref: VEG.SAVegetation).
- Existing vegetation mapping (SA Government) for the Heritage Agreement area specifies three vegetation associations.
- Identification of significant vegetation associations and/or ecological communities, plant and wildlife species of conservation significance, and other important biological features.
- Gain an understanding of the land's biological diversity to increase our ability to enhance the values of the land and protect/promote species diversity.
Identification and guidance on the management of threats/negative impacts
Gaining information from observations, Wildlife and Security Cameras, professional on-site monitoring, and local experts/neighbours we have focussed on:
- Identification of weeds and feral animals and working with adjacent landholders and Government agencies to deliver effective control measures.
- Identification of areas damaged caused by illegal vehicle access and camping and identified methods to repair damage and prevent future incursions, including better signage, and repairing some roadside boundary fencing (limit vehicle movement not wildlife).
Establishment of long-term monitoring
As a result of advice and the development of management plan focuses, we have.
- Establish vegetation condition monitoring sites using standard vegetation assessment methodology (such as Bushland Condition Monitoring or Bushland Assessment).
- Establish photo points at sites of potential change/works.
- Continue to undertake non-intrusive fauna species ID.
- Use remote wildlife cameras to monitor wildlife movement.
2023 to 2025
In 2023 the 16:6 Heritage Trust applied for a newer Grant Funding opportunity under a DEW Native Vegetation program. This met our desire to continue with biodiversity protection.
In August 2023 we submitted two Grant applications which focuses on four areas, two funded by the DEW Grants program and two funded in-kind delivery by the 16:6 owners.
- Weed control (primarily declared species)
- Vegetation management, mapping and monitoring (Photo points)
- Erection of exclusion zones
- Exotic pest species management (Fox and cat)
Weed Control and Vegetation Management
- Focus on weed control primarily large intrusive species such as Box thorn and Wheel Cactus (Eradication and management) Depending on species and seriousness of incursion other weeds shall be addressed with the leadership being provided by Irongrass Environmental Rehabilitation Services
- Establish vegetation condition monitoring sites using standard vegetation assessment methodology. (Such as Bushland Condition Monitoring or Bushland Assessment).
Monitoring
- Establish exclusion areas in which suitable fencing will allow for the regeneration, and recruitment of species and prevent grazing. Establish photo points at sites of potential change/works.
- Undertake non-intrusive fauna species ID focus on herpetofauna. All sightings are to be verified and captured within the SA DEW Biological database.
- Photopoint monitoring to observe and keep records of physical changes at a given location over time. Aim to gain an understanding of how effective our management actions have been, or whether factors such as climate are impacting environment condition across the HA's. (factsheet)
Specific Key Species
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Listing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birds | Mallee Fowl | Leipoa Ocellata | EPBC - Listed |
| Southern Whiteface | Aphelocephala leucopsis | EPBC - Listed | |
| White Winged Chough | Corcorax melanorhamphos | Rare | |
| Chestnut Quail Thrush | Cinclooma castanotum | Rare | |
| Restless Flycatcher | Myiagra inquieta | Rare | |
| Reptiles | Bardick | Echiopsis curta | Rare |
| Lace Monitor | Varanus varius | Rare | |
| Mammals | Brushtail Possum | Trichosurus vulpecular | Rare |
| Plants | Rohrlach's Bluebush | Maireana rohrlachii | Rare |
| Red Microcybe | Microcybe multiflora ssp multiflora | Rare | |
| Mallee Wattle | Acacia montana | Rare | |
| Spreading Cress | Phlegmatospermum eremaeum | Rare |
The nationally threatened Bardick snake Through the Grant project, we wish to develop a better understanding of the sandy areas of lots 226 and 227 where the primary Triodia associations are, and the importance to a wide range of species (primarily threatened reptile species (1) and their principal food source) on lot 227.
- Enhance the protection and recruitment of Triodia in a target area by gaining a better understanding.
- Erecting numerous photo points
- Undertake monitoring and survey work.
- Actively controlling weed impacts - primarily Boxthorn
Three additional target species will also be incorporated into the Grant project delivery
- The Mallee Fowl - Leipoa ocellata - a Nationally threatened species.
- The Hairy Nosed Wombat - Lasiorhinus latifron - Environmental Indicator species.
- Locally rare - Rohrlach's Bluebush - Maireana rohrlachii - is a locally rare Bluebush.
The mallee fowl Nationally, the Malleefowl Leipoa ocellata is listed as Vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Convservation Act (EPBC) Act 1999 and Vulnerable under our state's National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Although there are several reserves, parks and heritage agreements through the Murray Malleee much of the best habitat for has already been cleared or has been modified by grazing by sheep, cattle, and impacted by feral rabbits and goats.
The mallee Fowl has been shown to be highly sensitive to grazing, significantly impacted by wildlife fire and predation by foxes. Protecting our remaining Mallee habitat is of particular concern in limiting the decline of the specie
Our project will focus on Fox eradication and monitoring and mapping the presence of mallee Fowl across the heritage agreements.
The Hairy Nosed wombat Wombats are important to the area not only because they are a valuable part of the ecosystem but because they seem to be significantly affected by extremes in weather and as such, serve as a sound indicator of climate balance and biodiversity health.
Wombats are primarily present on Section 13, however, they have been recorded on remote cameras on section 227 and on the road in close proximity to section 249.
Wombats Improve soil health by bringing important nutrients to the surface and help organic matter and plant seedling mix into compacted soil through their burrowing actions as well as providing a safe refuge underground for other wildlife. Remote cameras on Wombat warrens have detected a wide range of fauna which rely on their burrows for protection.
The primary focus of our monitoring will be to look at the health (population of wombats) their impact on native vegetation recruitment and regeneration as well as looking at the association between wombat warrens and weed dispersal.
Rohrlach's Bluebush There are a range of Plants that have been identified across the heritage agreement trust lands, however one of note is the locally rare - Maireana rohrlachii - which has been identified on multiple sections of the heritage agreements under our care.
One of the outcomes for this project will be to map and GPS all plants located across the Heritage Trust lands and then use fencing or guards to protect them from the grazing pressure of native herbivores and introduced pests such as hares and goats.
In addition, we shall ensure a number of photo points are established to capture this species for the ongoing monitoring of the species.
2024 - 2025 interim update report
NVHA Progression - Large Grant (16:6 - Sects 215, 249, 266, 227)
Our grant funding and delivery across 16:6 over the last 12 months has been focused on the eradication and control or of two intrusive declared weed species, African Boxthorn and Wheel Cactus.
Over 60 hours has been allocated to this task with mapping, cutting and dabbing, removal and spraying undertaken by Andrew and Janet from 'Irongrass Environmental Rehabilitation Services' (grant funding), and the 16:6 Heritage agreement owners (In kind).
In addition, three exclusion zone areas have been erected to prevent browsers from eating or other species movement from disrupting the vegetation with the aim to monitor these areas over several years and get a better understanding of Plant recruitment and regeneration.
Although it has been less than five months since the exclusion zones were fenced there is already evidence of an increase in some species such as the native grasses which are usually browsed to ground level. For additional information on exclusion zones please see the Blog post for 9 September 2024 'The purpose of exclusion areas'. There is additional work to do to prevent small herbivores such as rabbits and hares from entering these spaces however all the main structures have been completed.
Ongoing matters to support the grant funding on 16:6
- 19 Photopoint have been established across 16:6, see 5 September 2024, Post - 'The value of Photo point Monitoring'.
- In addition, ongoing species identification using opportune observations and wildlife cameras has continued over this time with six new species of fauna and identified across 16:6 over the period.
- Field work, using an endoscope and walking transects has also identified.
- A second active mallee fowl nest
- Two Chestnut Quail Thrush nests
- Seven additional plant species
- Fox baiting and CPE implementation, see 28 September 2024 post, 'Fox Control and Management'. Has been a focus over the past 12 months with fox baiting using 1080 being ongoing throughout the year. Cameras at bait sites have shown some success, however the fox numbers have remained high.
- Feral cats have been identified across 16:6 with three of the four sections of land having evidence (tracks, skats and wildlife camera images) of feral cats.
NVHA Progression - Medium Grant (Sect 13)
Our grant funding and delivery on Section13 over the last 12 months has been focused on the eradication and control or of two invasive weed species, Onion Weed and Horehound. Onion weed is widespread on the land, with horehound being most prolific around the wombat warrens and along their tracks between warren systems.
Over 45 hours was allocated to weed management with mapping, wiper snipping, hand pulling and spraying. Over half of this has been undertaken by Andrew and Janet from Irongrass Environmental Rehabilitation Services.
In addition, we have planted (with approval from the NVC) 20 trees and forbs in the areas which we believe were once more heavily vegetated. These were sourced from tube stock grown by the Cambrai Landcare Nursery (Local provenance plants)
A range of tree guards and other fencing is being trialled to ascertain what style of protection best deters grazing and browsing.
Two exclusion zones have been erected to prevent browsers from eating the vegetation inside the enclosure. We shall monitor these areas over several years to get a better understanding of plant recruitment and regeneration when Wombats and Kangaroos are excluded.
The first of the exclusion zones was completed in February 2024 and this already shows an increase in some species, such as four native grasses are flourishing and forming thick seed heads. For additional information on exclusion zones please see the Blog post of 9 September 2024 'The purpose of exclusion areas'.
Ongoing actions on Section 13- 11 Photopoint have been established across section 13, all to monitor changes in vegetation cover adjacent to wombat warrens.
- Ongoing species identification using opportune observations and wildlife cameras have continued over this time with three bird and one additional reptile species identified.
- Possum, bat and bird boxes have been placed in suitable places around this section of land.