~ Protecting the unique RAMSAR listed Nooramunga and Corner Inlets
by improving the ecology of the Jack and Albert Rivers catchment ~

What is the JARR Project?

The JARR Project is located near Yarram in South Gippsland and covers some 65,000 hectares of land constituting the Jack and Albert River catchment.  This catchment is considered a highly significant environmental asset with its waters feeding the RAMSAR listed Corner Inlet and Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Parks. An identified Coastal Hotspot by the Federal Government, this area is extremely important environmentally, culturally and socially.

The JARR area supports a wide range of ecological vegetation communities, some of which are classified rare, endangered or vulnerable such as Warm and Cool Temperate Rainforest, Lowland Forest and Damp Forest.

The area contains significant biodiversity, including diverse numbers of fauna and flora species some of which are classified with a rare or threatened conservation status under Victorian and/or Federal Legislation and/or are listed under International Agreements. The recently discovered unique genetic strain of koala, the Strzelecki Koala, is found here and these areas have been targeted as a priority for protecting remaining habitat.

The ultimate goal of the Project is to maintain or improve resilience of habitat for migratory wading bird populations, sea grass and marine life within the Corner Inlet and Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Parks.  

To meet this goal the health of the entire catchment has required consideration.  What goes in upstream comes in downstream. To this end a Biodiversity Blueprint was produced in 2010. It provides a map of the JARR area showing:
  • What has happened in the catchment with regard to environmental improvement
  • Our understanding of where our most important remaining areas of native vegetation are located
  • Visually describing where Landholders want their on ground works placed into the future; and
  • A base-line for future landscape level change for the catchment.

Establishing resilience, biodiversity and environmental health of such a river system is a monumental endeavour requiring the willing participation of many partners. Since our beginnings in 2006, our partners have included landholders, community groups, government agencies, local industry, specific interests groups, environmental organisations, schools and any other group or individual with an interest in the area.

The project is guided by a steering committee and delivered by volunteers with the support of Yarram Yarram Landcare Network staff members and contractors.

Funding is sourced through government agencies, private industry, philanthropic organisations and in-kind contributions by landholders and groups.
© 2021 Yarram Yarram Landcare Network