Landcare Australia
East Gippsland conservationists battling to protect 'last known' endangered plant species win funding from Landcare Australia's $300,000 Bushfire Grants
Landcarers in Wangarabell Valley battling to save a plant native only to the Genoa River region are relying on one last plant for the survival of the species after bushfires devastated the area.
Securing a boost in fortunes after landing funding from Landcare Australia's $300,000 Bushfire Recovery Grants, Cann Valley Landcare Group/Far East Gippsland Landcare Network is planning significant restorative work after fire ripped through on Jan 4 2020.
Amongst the huge loss of flora and fauna, the Genoa River Correa, which was brought back from the brink in 2012, has been wiped out – save for one last known plant.
"There of course may be others, but as of now, we only know of one large plant which thankfully can be a source for cuttings, propagation and replanting," explained Virginia Fitzclarence of Cann Valley Landcare.
"There was significant regeneration in 2012 with propagation along the river banks and riparian zones but the fire burned it all up. So we hope to regenerate Genoa River Correa and other local species with native plant restoration experts to propagate 300 correas and 700 other local species such as callistemon, kanuka and grey box."
The group will also be working hard on proposed restoration works on 400 acres of private land straddling 4 kilometres of riverbank while bird nesting boxes will constructed and installed to house animals at risk including the turquoise parrot and powerful owl.
Made possible due to the extraordinary volume of donations from generous organisations and private donors, the Landcare Australia Bushfire Recovery Grants will support 23 wide-ranging regeneration projects focusing on activities including impacted rainforest revegetation, nest boxes for decimated native species and feeding programs for endangered wildlife.
Key issues for all the grant recipients include restoring essential wildlife habitat, management of invasive weeds, erosion control and protection of our waterways and aquatic habitat.
The funding came from generous donations during the bushfires from across the country and around the world, including Landcare Australia partners Brambles CHEP, Bushman's Tanks, Bloom Aid and Hawkes Brewing.
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