Trust for Nature (Victoria)

Our mission is to protect and restore biodiversity on private land across Victoria

North West – Restoring grassy ecosystems

Bringing them back to the landscape has been part of a five-year Remnant Grassy Ecosystem project based in north central Victoria. It was carried out by Trust for Nature in partnership with covenantors, landholders and the North Central Catchment Management Authority.

The project revegetated over 115 hectares of Buloke woodland using a combination of direct seeding and planting of tube stock. The region is arid, making site preparation really important, in this instance controlling rabbits, using herbivore proof guards, fencing to exclude stock and drip irrigation on tube stock planting was the key.

Many of the Buloke and native Murray Pine (White Cypress pine) that were planted  are now up to one metre high and the acacias are flowering again this winter, showering the area with seed over the next few years. With no grazing from rabbits and livestock, there is a good chance these Buloke and Murray pines will live the hundreds of years they’re expected to.

This project is supported by the North Central Catchment Management Authority through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

Tips on revegetating arid areas with seedlings

  • Plant the seedling in a basin 10 to 20 cm below soil surface level.
  • Have at least 30 cm of loose soil beneath the seedling to allow rapid root penetration.
  • Have adequate moisture to allow fast root establishment.
  • Protect the seedlings from all herbivores with fencing or tree guards.
  • Control weeds around the seedling to reduce competition for moisture.
  • If you’re direct seeding native species, try to use experienced operators and do it by the book.