Ecological thinning is the removal of a proportion of trees within a thicket to increase resource availability and achieve conservation goals.

Thinning increases the resources available to remaining trees, which allows them to develop into ecologically
important large trees. It can also stimulate growth and germination of understorey and ground cover vegetation.

This factsheet provides information for landholders on deciding whether to thin and best practice thinning.

West Gippsland is home to many remarkable species of plants and animals. Many of those now depend on remaining habitat found on private land. Through our Statewide Conservation Plan, we have identified the species that the highest priority for conservation on private land, and have developed factsheets for four threatened plant species found in West Gippsland to assist with identification and conservation.

Click through the links below to learn more about each species:

• Golden Grevillea, Grevillea chrysophaea
• Bog Gum, Eucalyptus kitsoniana
• Sticky Wattle, Acacia howittii
• Strzelecki Gum, Eucalyptus strzeleckii

The critically endangered Plains-wanderer is a small, ground-dwelling bird that lives on lowland native grasslands across eastern Australia. Over the past century, these globally unique birds have declined dramatically due to habitat loss and degradation.

From 2017 to 2021, research was conducted across the Northern Plains Grasslands of Victoria to examine habitat requirements of the Plains-wanderer. The project aimed to produce evidence that can be used by land managers and conservationists to improve habitat management for the Plains-wanderer and other grassland  animals and plants.

This booklet summarises the main findings from Dan Nugent’s PhD project through La Trobe University and outlines key implications stemming from this work for grassland management and conservation efforts.

The Plains for Wanderers project is a partnership between Trust for Nature and the North Central Catchment Management Authority, supported through funding from the Australian Government.