Gippsland landholders with coastal properties can now access assistance with fencing and weed control. Conservation organisation, Trust for Nature, is working with landholders around Corner Inlet and the Nooramunga Coast as part of efforts to protect saltmarsh.
Saltmarsh grows on tidal mudflats around the Gippsland coast. It provides feeding grounds for migratory shorebirds and other threatened species. Around Corner Inlet, nearly half of the saltmarsh has been lost since the area was settled.
Trust for Nature Project Officer, Billie Emmett, says protecting saltmarsh is a win-win for landholders.
“By fencing off saltmarsh, landholders can prevent stock wandering out into the mud, as well as providing a buffer between the coast and pasture against rising sea levels,” says Billie.
“We can also assist with weed control which benefits the whole property.”
Saltmarsh grows on tidal mudflats around the Gippsland coast. It provides feeding grounds for migratory shorebirds and other threatened species. Around Corner Inlet, nearly half of the saltmarsh has been lost since the area was settled.
Trust for Nature Project Officer, Billie Emmett, says protecting saltmarsh is a win-win for landholders.
“By fencing off saltmarsh, landholders can prevent stock wandering out into the mud, as well as providing a buffer between the coast and pasture against rising sea levels,” says Billie.
“We can also assist with weed control which benefits the whole property.”
Gippsland farmers Mohya and John Davies, have worked with Trust for Nature to fence off and protect saltmarsh and control weeds on their Foster property.
“We’re very excited about the opportunity that Trust for Nature offers us because, as we get older, managing the weeds down by the shore will get more challenging,” Mohya says.
“It’s something we should do for the environment and we’re not able to farm that part of the property. I see it as a symbiotic relationship between farming and conservation.”
Trust for Nature is assisting landholders to protect saltmarsh on private land to assist the ecosystem to adapt to rising sea levels supported by West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority through funding from the Australian Government’s National Heritage Trust.
This saltmarsh protection project is part of West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority’s Corner Inlet Connections project, which is working with partners to address key threats to the Ramsar-listed Corner Inlet wetlands. This includes controlling the invasive weed spartina and targeted fox control on barrier islands to protect the Inlet’s unique and treasured characteristics.
“The Corner Inlet wetlands are globally recognised for their importance,” says Billie. “They help protect the coast from erosion and take up huge amounts of carbon. They also provide nurseries for fish. By protecting saltmarsh, we’re creating an environment that can support people and wildlife.”
Landholders who are interested in assistance with fencing can contact Billie Emmett, Trust for Nature, at billiee@tfn.org.au
This project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by West Gippsland CMA, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.
For media enquiries, please contact communications@tfn.org.au
“We’re very excited about the opportunity that Trust for Nature offers us because, as we get older, managing the weeds down by the shore will get more challenging,” Mohya says.
“It’s something we should do for the environment and we’re not able to farm that part of the property. I see it as a symbiotic relationship between farming and conservation.”
Trust for Nature is assisting landholders to protect saltmarsh on private land to assist the ecosystem to adapt to rising sea levels supported by West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority through funding from the Australian Government’s National Heritage Trust.
This saltmarsh protection project is part of West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority’s Corner Inlet Connections project, which is working with partners to address key threats to the Ramsar-listed Corner Inlet wetlands. This includes controlling the invasive weed spartina and targeted fox control on barrier islands to protect the Inlet’s unique and treasured characteristics.
“The Corner Inlet wetlands are globally recognised for their importance,” says Billie. “They help protect the coast from erosion and take up huge amounts of carbon. They also provide nurseries for fish. By protecting saltmarsh, we’re creating an environment that can support people and wildlife.”
Landholders who are interested in assistance with fencing can contact Billie Emmett, Trust for Nature, at billiee@tfn.org.au
This project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by West Gippsland CMA, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.
For media enquiries, please contact communications@tfn.org.au