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Conservation Bulletin

9 June 2022 by

Introducing Kimbarly Dulemerrin Reserve

community conservation
protected forever

Kimbarly Dulemerrin, “return of the grasstree” in Bunurong, is the new name for Trust for Nature’s reserve on Bunurong Country in south east Melbourne, determined by the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.

The name refers to the Austral Grasstrees which are found in the area and will soon be planted on the reserve by Traditional Owners.

Trust for Nature is also working with Traditional Owners to develop a co-management plan, including installing new walking tracks and sign posts that connect to adjacent Lysterfield Park.

“As a Board member and an Aboriginal person living in Victoria on Bunurong Country, I am deeply proud of this naming initiative. I am looking forward to seeing more of this across Victoria in the future. Acknowledging our Traditional Owners and sharing language is just one step towards a reconciled Australia,” said Trust for Nature Board member Nina Braid.

Kimbarly Dulemerrin Reserve was acquired by Trust for Nature in 1995 as part of a subdivision and was only ever informally named. The 7.1 ha property protects a range of habitats from forests with granite boulders to vulnerable Grassy Forest and Riparian Scrub.

The reserve protects critical habitat on the edge of Melbourne, for vulnerable Powerful Owls which use the mature forest habitat in the reserve for their food and nesting needs. Green Scentbark, Cobra Greenhood and Dandenong Wattle are some of the special plants found in the reserve.

Trust for Nature Area Manager Ben Cullen said the naming is one step towards working more closely with Traditional Owners.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Bunurong Traditional Owners to look after this place. Kimbarly Dulemerrin is important because it protects habitat for threatened species and helps connect other protected areas in Melbourne.

“It’s a great spot to get a glimpse of a beautiful patch of forest and see birds, and is an interesting stroll for the more adventurous walkers.”

Trust for Nature will be holding an open day at the reserve in spring, and in the future hopes to invite school students onto the property to learn about nature conservation.

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19 May 2022 by

Landholders helping threatened glider

community conservation
protected forever

Threatened Squirrel Gliders in Victoria’s Lurg Hills and nearby areas on Taungurung Country east of Benalla are getting a helping hand from landholders. One of those landholders is beef and sheep   farmer Andrew Marriott, whose 2,800 ha property in the Holland’s Creek valley is home to red gum, yellow box and grey box woodlands—ideal habitat for gliders.

“We went through a period when agriculture over-cleared the land. Now we’re recognising that we need to put trees back, as the old ones we currently have won’t last forever,” Andrew said.

Recently Trust for Nature has been helping Andrew improve habitat on his property for gliders and other wildlife with fencing, weed control and tree planting. Lines of nest boxes through his property are helping connect remnant patches of trees.

Squirrel Gliders are similar to more well-known Krefft’s Gliders (previously known as Sugar Gliders) but larger and rarer. They depend on eucalypt woodlands and particularly old, hollow-bearing trees where they roost. The gliders are threatened by the loss of these old trees, many of which are now found along roadsides, and fragmentation of their habitat.

Surveys by Trust for Nature Senior Conservation Officer Bert Lobert are helping focus conservation efforts. Surveys at the end of 2021 found 18 Squirrel Gliders across 29 sites, indicating a significant population of the species in the Lurg Hills. Krefft’s Gliders are also found in the area.

“Before we did surveys and habitat modelling we were really operating in the dark,” said Trust for Nature Regional Manager Shelagh Curmi.

“Now we have a better idea of which areas of habitat are most important to protect, where to plant trees and where to install nest boxes.”

Trust for Nature’s work in the Lurg Hills is supported by the Victorian Government.

For more information about projects in the Goulburn Broken region contact Regional Manager Shelagh Curmi on

0407 521 154 or shelaghc@tfn.org.au.

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