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Yarram Yarram Landcare Network
Protecting Corner Inlet's Catchment From Blackberry Encroachment |
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Funded
Grant from Communities for nature. $50,000 Project Period 2014 - 2015 Project Objectives To rid nominated areas of blackberry plants to allow the return of natural biodiversity Removal of harbour areas for foxes and other feral animals Free up native vegetation corridors currently blocked by blackberries Project Description This project will take a cross boundary approach to the control of Blackberry. Blackberry spread is causing loss of biodiversity. The project will encourage private landholders to sign up to 3 year management agreements and provide landholders with access to training and support to undertake their own control. In addition it will work with public land managers to control weeds on adjacent roadsides, riparian areas, and reserves. It aims to have 50 private landholder agreements in place by the end of the project. Target areas are the short, dynamic and independent river systems draining from the Strzelecki Ranges to Corner Inlet Nooramunga Coastal Park. The catchment ecosystem contains 250 threatened species within a range of complex habitats and vegetation. The project will have achieved success when comparison of before and after intervention photos, and review of the mapping of infestations, confirm reduction of blackberry in the landscape. Success will be measured by numbers of landowners recruited and total area treated for blackberry. This project will adhere to requirements governing chemicals. The project location covers Corner Inlet is in South Gippsland, Victoria. The project boundary is defined by the Strzelecki Ranges to the north and the Corner Inlet coastline to the south. Towns to the east and west boundary are Hedley and Foster respectively. The nominated priority areas within this boundary are Mt Best/Toora North, Dingo Creek, Nine MileCreek. Areas to be covered include both private and public land with an estimated area 1300 hectares including 23 km of waterways. Partnerships with local community resources will include;
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