Growing back the woodlands

From the perspective of the woodland birds that seek refuge at NCT’s southern NSW properties, times are good. The NCT is rehabilitating critically endangered woodland habitats on some of the properties by a combination of direct seeding and hand planting of native shrubs and trees. And thanks to the recent consistent rainfall in the area, the strike rate is likely to be excellent.  

NCT has contracted the Murray Catchment Management Authority to seed 15 hectares of land at 'Slate Hill' north of Albury and another 15 hectares at the three properties recently purchased by the NCT near Holbrook. In 2008, a smaller area of five hectares was seeded on Slate Hill, with seedlings germinating progressively over a 12 month period. All of these properties are available for purchase.

NCT Conservation Manager Nigel Jones, the person in charge of the rehabilitation works, said that direct seeding is just one method the NCT uses to rehabilitate woodlands.

“We don’t rely 100% on direct seeding,” said Nigel. “We also come in after the seeding and hand plant species that were once more common in the region but may not be available or suitable for the machine.”

“This year, we’ll be hand planting some of the rarer peas and the spiky sweet bursaria that woodland birds, most of which are in decline nationally, love to seek refuge in.”

A community planting day will be held at 'Slate Hill' on Saturday 4 September 2010 as part of the Slopes to Summit project in celebration of both National Threatened Species Day and National Wattle Day. If you would like to participate in the day, please contact Sam Niedra on 02 6051 9924 or email sam@nct.org.au.