A diverse range of native plants and animals live within, or utilise the saltmarshes of the Victorian coast. Rising sea levels, recreational and agricultural use, coastal development, water pollution, altered drainage and invasive species are some of the threats they face. There are more than 19,000 ha of saltmarsh along the Victorian coastline and 6,000 ha of it is on private land, this makes the work in protecting these sensitive areas and dependent species very important.

Trust for Nature is helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change by working with landowners to protect adjacent private land on higher ground. This will allow the ‘migration’ of the saltmarsh habitat over time, providing future habitat opportunities for saltmarsh species.

Trust for Nature has partnered with landowners to protect saltmarshes along the coastline of the Corner Inlet Ramsar site, east of Wilsons Promontory.

Saltmarshes on the Corner Inlet and Nooramunga coastline provide important resources for native animals, such as the critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot. They also support migratory shorebirds including the vulnerable Eastern Curlew and inundated areas provide nursery and feeding habitat for native fish. Saltmarshes also support a range of invertebrate animals, with some species being an important food source for the vulnerable Swamp Skink.