Michael recalled when Trust for Nature came out to visit the block. “They said if we were lucky we might see three very rare bird species on it: the Swift Parrot, Diamond Firetail and Square-tailed Kite. We saw all three, it was amazing. We bought our first pair of binoculars and we turned into obsessive birders.”
This led to them publishing a website called Outside Four Walls, and setting up a Facebook and Instagram account so they can share what they see. Louise said, “We get a lot out of sharing the information. The more people understand plants and animals the more they will value them and be interested in protecting them, whether they’re in a rural or urban area.”
In 2012, Louise and Michael protected the Clunes property forever with a conservation covenant through Trust for Nature. Michael said they wanted the place to be looked after, regardless of changing policy or future landholders. They don’t have children to pass the property onto and putting a covenant on it ensures it will be protected. Louise and Michael said they would not have been able to protect the land if there was not a scheme to support their desire to permanently protect.
“Trust for Nature really helped us learn about the different species on the block,” said Louise. “Having a management plan mapped everything and made it easy to know what to do and how to do it.”
The covenant will continue to protect this special place after Louise and Michael sold the property in 2023. “We’re proud of what we’ve done at Clunes,” said Louise, “And we feel relieved that the property has gone to wonderful new custodians.”
After Clunes, Louise and Michael bought another 89 ha conservation property in Patchewollock, Wotjobaluk Country, where they run an eco-tourism business, Explore the Mallee, and enjoy. And from there it was inevitable they would continue to expand their conservation dreams at Ozenkadnook.
“As our experience and confidence in land management has increased, we’ve felt comfortable to take on bigger blocks of land,” Louise said. “Conservation is our whole life now, it’s become a career, a hobby, I’ve studied it, and now we run a business. It’s pretty remarkable looking back.”
This led to them publishing a website called Outside Four Walls, and setting up a Facebook and Instagram account so they can share what they see. Louise said, “We get a lot out of sharing the information. The more people understand plants and animals the more they will value them and be interested in protecting them, whether they’re in a rural or urban area.”
In 2012, Louise and Michael protected the Clunes property forever with a conservation covenant through Trust for Nature. Michael said they wanted the place to be looked after, regardless of changing policy or future landholders. They don’t have children to pass the property onto and putting a covenant on it ensures it will be protected. Louise and Michael said they would not have been able to protect the land if there was not a scheme to support their desire to permanently protect.
“Trust for Nature really helped us learn about the different species on the block,” said Louise. “Having a management plan mapped everything and made it easy to know what to do and how to do it.”
The covenant will continue to protect this special place after Louise and Michael sold the property in 2023. “We’re proud of what we’ve done at Clunes,” said Louise, “And we feel relieved that the property has gone to wonderful new custodians.”
After Clunes, Louise and Michael bought another 89 ha conservation property in Patchewollock, Wotjobaluk Country, where they run an eco-tourism business, Explore the Mallee, and enjoy. And from there it was inevitable they would continue to expand their conservation dreams at Ozenkadnook.
“As our experience and confidence in land management has increased, we’ve felt comfortable to take on bigger blocks of land,” Louise said. “Conservation is our whole life now, it’s become a career, a hobby, I’ve studied it, and now we run a business. It’s pretty remarkable looking back.”