Landcare on the Mornington Peninsula Jacqui Salter Landcare Facilitator
The Mornington Peninsula Most biodiverse 750km 2 in Victoria New landholders no previous land management experience
Habitat loss on Mornington Peninsula Only 1/5 of original vegetation left
Of 37 mammal species on the Mornington Peninsula, 2/3 are locally extinct or endangered Lost: Platypus, Spotted-tailed Quoll, Eastern Quoll, Long-nosed Potoroo, New Holland Mouse, Dingo
Critically endangered White-footed dunnart, Long-nosed Bandicoot, Water rat, Feathertail Glider, Eastern Pygmy Possum, Southern Brown Bandicoot, Wombat
Strength in numbers What difference can one person make? said 7 billion people Conservation groups can work together to address the loss of biodiversity
Today s talk Learnings from Landcare what might benefit Nepean Conservation Group? Both seek to preserve natural environment 1. Planning 2. Education 3. Engagement Action
Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network Formed in April 2014 Represents 11 Landcare groups Overseen by CoM of 6 Landcare reps
1. Planning Biolink plans + Conservation Action Planning!
Fragmented Landscape Landscapes are fragmented due to roads, clearing for farming, housing, railways etc. This affects wildlife they are unable to move across the landscape
Biolink definition: Linkages that improve ecological connectivity between patches of natural habitat
Linking the Mornington Peninsula Landscape MPLN receiving a $20,000 per-year grant for five-year project Funded by the Natural Resources Conservation League Victoria Soon to begin fourth year
This project empowers MP Landcare groups to work with their local community to develop local biolink plans that fit within our regional plan.
How? 1. Choose target area with Landcare group 2. Mailout to landholders 3. Follow up phone calls 4. Site visits 5. Get together 6. Biolink plan by bushland rehab specialist Provides a model for addressing one of the most challenging aspects of landscape reconnection: Encouraging adjacent landholders to agree to set aside parts of their land for restoration.
Conservation Action Planning Open Standards planning / project management framework (left), and simplified language (right)
The steps Scope Vision Assets Threats Strategic analysis WHY behind threats Results Chains defines actions
MPLN gets Funding for Feral project MPLN knows best methods for Recruiting Landholders for Feral animal Control project MPLN has Effective Communication strategy MPLN can offer Incentives to Landholders Feral Animal Control Project Landholders Understand issues Landholders Motivated to Join Feral project Pests Controlled Asset native animals Result Less predation on native animals
2. Education Workshops Field days Puppet shows Website Publications
Weed ID workshops Field days
Soil & Farm planning with Dept Ag
Chemical-Free Weeding workshops Your property and Bushfire workshops
Caring for our Native Fauna puppet show Ernie the Eel s Adventures Down Watson Creek
Education: Small Rural Property Guide MPLN received a PPWCMA Community Grant for the production of the Small Rural Property Guide. Distributed to all new property owners > 5 acres
Small Rural Property Guide Valuable resource for property owners Provides links to helpful organisations and information on common issues Addresses the growing need for engagement and education of lifestyle property owners.
3. Action!
Action! Greens Bush to Arthurs Seat Biolink Balcombe Creek habitat project Protect & Connect Moonah Woodland protection Indian myna trapping project
Greens Bush to Arthurs Seat Biolink Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network received $300,000 from the State Government s Our Catchments, Our Communities (OCOC) initiative through PPWCMA March 2017 June 2020 Project Coordinator: Jacqui Salter
Greens Bush to Arthurs Seat Biolink Restores around 20 private properties between Arthurs Seat State Park and Greens Bush Revegetation, weeding, fencing & community pest control Improves landholder knowledge re: best practice land management & pest control
Greens Bush to Arthurs Seat Biolink Implements two LMPL biolink plans
Collaboration DELWP PPWCMA MP Shire Parks Victoria Melbourne Water Birdlife Australia Bunurong Land Council NRCL Funded biolink plans Chisholm & Homesglen Tafes
Revegetation May July 2018 Volunteers wanted!
Balcombe Creek Habitat Project $10,000 Communities for Nature grant DELWP Three local schools worked to research, design & create habitat along Balcombe Creek, Mt Martha
Protect & Connect - SW Mornington Peninsula Landcare Three grants (PPWCMA & DELWP) to restore remnant bushland on private properties and along Browns & Jetty Road adjacent to the high value Peninsula Gardens Bushland Reserve (PGBR).
Moonah Woodland Restoration Project DELWP Threatened Species Grant Maxwell & Sandy Roads Fingal Feral animal control - Foxes and rabbits Weed eradication Revegetation Fauna monitoring Nest box installation
Indian Myna Trapping Program Supports landholders to trap & responsibly euthanise Indian Mynas Mens Sheds making traps Animal welfare protocol
Summary Together we can preserve natural environment Through: Planning Education Taking action!
Thank you Jacqui Salter (Mon-Thurs 9am - 3pm) Jacqueline.salter@mornpen.vic.gov.au 0408 213 079