Speaker

Community-led protection of nature reserves

Peter Lawrence, Wynyard Landcare

Small nature reserves in town are valuable places for young and old to relax, enjoy, explore. Small ecosystems in towns often have a surprising diversity of flora, fauna and fungi for people to appreciate biodiversity. Old trees, fruiting shrubs, dense understorey vegetation, and decaying logs provide habitats for mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, invertebrates, fungi, lichens, slime moulds and more.

Frenchs Road Nature Reserve, a 34 ha patch of neglected remnant vegetation, was targeted by developers in the 1990s. The community cleared blackberries, revegetated patches, upgraded tracks and installed information signage. This provided habitat for nine endemic birds, Astacopsis, Engaeus, platypus, devils and quolls instead. Council are now supportive. 

Fossil Bluff, a prominent tourist attraction, was targeted by developers in the 1970s. The hill was un-managed, Acacia longifolia monoculture was spreading covering half the hill, a refuge for pademelon populations. The community initiated a 10-year revegetation project to provide habitat for bandicoots and nesting birds instead. PWS are now supportive.

Peter Lawrence is a research scientist, plant breeder in international agriculture, has operated a national seed bank, is now retired and volunteers with landcare, field naturalists, the Overland Track, and Parents for Climate Action.

View Peter's Presentation at the Conference here: