We have begun the monitoring process on the completed project sites and this is an important component of the ‘Saving our Species’ program. By carrying out a monitoring program we can see what changes occur across the project sites. The sites will hopefully show improvement but the monitoring will also pick up decreases in the quality of the sites and we can then look at why this might be occuring and implement changes.

Due to the current weather conditions it is such an amazing year to be doing this monitoring. We have enlisted the talented Dan Florance to lead the monitoring. Before we go to a site he has a computer randomly pick a number of GPS coordinates across a site. Here we look at different components within a 20m diameter circle around each GPS point. There are all sorts of things that get measured but my favorite is noting down all of the native groundcover species present within the circle. Box Gum Grassy Woodlands have many grasses and a very high diversity of forbs. It is absolutely fasinating and wonderful to see some of these species up close. This region is so important for the conservation of Box Gum Grassy Woodlands and anyone involved in this project is doing amazing things to help.

Our monitoring has turned up a number of special species (although I think every species is special and exciting to find). We thought you might like to see one of them. Below are Yass Daisy (Ammobium craspedioides) and they have shown up on one of the sites over near Mandurama. This little plant is listed as ‘vulnerable’ in NSW and you can find out more info here.

John and Megan Rowlands are undertaking targetted weed control as part of this project within this amazingly diverse patch of woodland on their farm near Mandurama. “We are aware there are very few remnant areas such as the Box Gum Grassy Woodland on Hilton. With the various surveys completed we are encouraged to know & learn of the many native plant & wildlife species this 40 hectare block supports. We realise how important it is to nurture such a unique area.”

To find out more about the ‘White Box, Yellow Box, Blakely’s Red Gum Habitat on Farm’ project and how you could get involved contact midlachlanlandcare@gmail.com