Nanna Anne reports on a week volunteering with Bush Heritage on Tarcutta Hills Reserve. As usual Nannas Eartha, Nola and Michelle came along for the ride. “We need more forests and less of those pesky farmland grass seeds in your bum,” said Nanna Eartha.
The 738ha Grassy White Box Woodland reserve has two main plant communities – Box Gum Grassy Woodland and Ironbark Stringybark Heathy Forest. Before settlement these communities covered over 10 million hectares of south east NSW and northern Victoria, sadly over 90 per cent has now been cleared.
“Tarcutta Reserve has one of the best examples of white box grassy woodland remaining, and yet there’s none here that hasn’t been disturbed,” said Ecologist Renee. All has been impacted over the years by grazing from sheep and cattle, logging or invasive species.
Since records began there has been an absence of fire. Recently, the Traditional Custodians, the Wiradjuri people have been advising on fire management and reintroducing fire to the reserve with cultural burning.
“Pastural grasses do not do well under canopy,” said Renee. Trees are the best way of protecting and maintaining a healthy habitat for Nanna favourites – Swift Parrots and Gliders. “The Swifties return here most winters to feast on the flowering eucalypts,” Renee said. Three glider species and 145 species of birds have been recorded on the reserve.
Vegetation Surveys (my job this time)
Led by Bush Heritage Ecologist Renee, volunteer Botanist Marja and Reserve Manager Kelly our team of six completed 20 surveys, each with four one square metre plots. Although this work is time consuming and tiring it is an incredible opportunity to get up close to nature (especially for Botanist Marja – see photo above). Each species was identified, five randoms from each were measured, all signs of seed heads were counted and recorded. Plots chosen across a variety of habitat on the reserve had between 4 – 25 different species of introduced weeds and native plants. Once the plants were identified and measured in each plot a cage was installed on one to protect it for the next six months.
“This research will provide us with valuable data to assist with the management of the reserve,” said Reserve Manager Kelly. “We rely on, and greatly appreciate, the hours volunteers put in, not only with the vegetation and bird surveys but also with general maintenance, weeding, tree planting and fence removal,” she said.
Nannas Noala, Eartha and Michelle did their bit too! A bit too much admiring of the view and chatting around the plot I thought. They loved it.
My personal thoughts
Volunteering with Bush Heritage is an incredibly rewarding experience. All the staff and volunteers I have worked with have been great. Coming with little skill and experience I have been made to feel welcome and a valued part of the team. I learn heaps every time. The leadership, knowledge and support of the paid workers is exceptional. I hope to be back.
More reading
Tarcutta Hills Reserve https://www.bushheritage.org.au/places/tarcutta-hills
Volunteering opportunities at Bush Heritage https://www.bushheritage.org.au/get-involved/volunteer
Bush Heritage and to donate https://www.bushheritage.org.au/
Nanna Anne Mck