Covenantor

Olwyn and Ben Brook

Strathbogie sanctuary a haven for nature

“We wanted to move to a place where there were trees,” says Olwyn Brook. “It reminded me of growing up in the Otways.”

Olwyn and husband Ben were living in Stawell when they decided to relocate to Boho South, Taungurung Country, in 1998. There they found Peppermint Ridge, a 105 ha property in the heart of the Strathbogie Ranges. It was indeed a good place for trees, with about half the property still covered in remnant forest: beautiful big Blue Gums, Manna Gums and of course Peppermints.

Covenants protect habitat forever

Having gotten to know Neil Marriott in Stawell, then Regional Coordinator at Trust for Nature, Olwyn and Ben had previously learned of the power of conservation covenants, and soon set about safeguarding Peppermint Ridge through Trust for Nature. As the couple now prepare to sell the property, that protection will ensure that the land continues to be safeguarded.
“It gives us a feeling of comfort that the place isn’t going to be wrecked. Most of the farms in this area are being subdivided, and a covenant seemed like a good way to slow that process down,” Olwyn says.
Maintaining a conservation property takes effort. Olwyn and Ben have worked tirelessly to control weeds and introduced species like rabbits, deer and foxes. They’ve also gotten to know the wildlife and plants on the property.

Olwyn has documented 30 species of orchids, while Ben focused on birds and butterflies, including the Imperial Blue, whose caterpillars are tended by ants that depend on wattles. Olwyn and Ben have carefully managed Silver Wattles on the property to ensure that such intimate relationships between species are preserved.

Community Conservation

They’ve also played an integral role in the community and spreading the conservation message, by hosting numerous field days for Trust for Nature and other organisations, creating a legacy that goes beyond the land itself.

Children from the local school visited Ben’s butterfly house where he raised Imperial Blues, passing on his knowledge to the next generation.
“Most people like the idea of owning and controlling land, whereas we come from the perspective of looking after it. It’s a privilege to be involved in the sort of thing that Trust for Nature does and to be involved in making the world healthy.