WONYIP LANDCARE GROUP
|
Wonyip Landcare Group is a small but extremely active and forward-thinking group involved in everything from the re-establishment of native vegetation along riparian areas within plantation land, to pest plant and animal control, the re-establishment of wildlife corridors for the spot-tailed quoll and other threatened species, and nest-box installation and monitoring.
Located high in the Strzelecki Ranges, Wonyip is the most western Group in the Network and is home to threatened Damp and Wet Forest and a host of species on the Threatened List. The Group is passionate about protecting these species for future generations, and some of our past, current and future projects are detailed here. Members of the Group continue to plant native trees and control weeds on their properties. They have also been actively involved in Waterwatch and the JARR Project. For many years, members of our Group have led and contributed to the YYLN Board, and two members continue to serve on the current Board. ContactInterested in getting involved or supporting our efforts to protect our unique flora and fauna, then we'd love to hear from you:
Contact: Helen Spittle T: 0425 710001 E: [email protected] F: wonyiplandcareteam PROJECTSCurrent projects...Victorian Landcare Grants for Wildlife Corridors on Dingo Creek
The Wonyip Landcare Group was awarded a 2023/24 VLG grant for a project which aims to enhance and protect native species along private properties on Dingo Creek. By planting a range of native species, the Group hopes to encourage Wonyip's biodiversity, including habitat for the Strzelecki Koala. Wonyip Biodiversity Survey - Uniting Volunteers, Experts and Technology for Impact is a project supported by the VicParks Volunteer Innovation Fund, the Whettenhal Environment Trust (WET), and the Wonyip Landcare Group. See right for details.
Past projects...Nest-boxes for Arboreal Species
The Wonyip Landcare Group has seen major loss of tree hollows due to the felling of old-growth forests for farming and plantations. In 2021, we received a Victorian Landcare Grant to create and install 90+ nest-boxes for arboreal species across 7 member properties. These boxes were manufactured by a member of the group who has developed a range of simple no-nails nest-boxes which can be constructed by novices in the field. We have installed boxes for the Greater Glider, Feather-tail Glider, Sugar Glider, ducks and owls, microbats and rosellas. Our Group is now actively seeking funding for the next stage of this project - the installation of a remote nest-box monitoring system to collect data on the impact of these nest-box installations. 
Past projects...Quoll Corridors
The Tiger Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) is listed as endangered under both the federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the Victorian Fauna and Flora Guarantee Act 1988. (FFG Act1988), but hair-tube samples had proven the existence of the quoll in the Wonyip region. In 2014, WLG was successful in receiving funding from the National Landcare Program 25th Anniversary Landcare Grants and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to re-establish wildlife corridors for the quoll. 
The project improved habitat along the Dingo Creek / Agnes River by on-ground works, including:
In addition to protecting quolls, this Project aimed to protect the Agnes River which is a significant waterway flowing into Corner Inlet and its Ramsar wetland. Reducing nutrient and sediment loads in the river protect the seagrass meadows and Australia's most southerly mangrove communities which lie at its mouth. The Group hopes that their work has also improved the habitat for the threatened Eastern Grayling, and Cox's Gudgeon and Galaxia species. The river is also the only water supply for several South Gippsland towns. 
Wonyipedia and the Wonyip Conservation Trail
Wonyip Landcare Group received a Victorian Landcare Grant to establish a Conservation Trail along disused sections of the old Woorrara Road - this involved the removal of rubbish and some serious weeding! This project also involved the installation of educational signage and a field Guide 'Wonyipedia' about the threatened species in the area. 
Feral Deer Management
The Wonyip Landcare Group has seen a significant increase in Feral Deer within its region. These pests contribute to habitat loss and also damage efforts to replant for native species. Members of the Group have been involved in raising awareness and driving some Network action to connect members with feral deer controllers. Wonyip's Wedgetailed Eagles are particularly interested in our work. For more information, see the Resources - Feral Deer Management. 
|
Help us protect Wonyip's unique speciesWonyip Biodiversity Survey - Get Involved!Wonyip Biodiversity Survey - Uniting Volunteers, Expert and Technology for Impact
Thank you to the State Government's Volunteer Innovation Fund (Round 4), the Wettenhall Environment Trust for supporting our Wonyip Biodiversity Survey which will roll out from May 2023 - May 2024! We now need your help to bring this project to life...so come and get your hands dirty! To improve the future of our many threatened species in Wonyip, our Group will establish baseline data on the species we have in the region and the health of their populations. Our Group is planning to collect baseline data, by bringing together volunteers and experts on a series of events over the 12-month period:
Contact us if you want to be involved as a volunteer, expert or funder - all comers welcome!! For more information, check out the Wonyip Biodiversity Survey project page: Event 1 - Wonyip Fungi Foray
In May 2023, the Wonyip Landcare Group hosted the Wonyip Fungi Foray as part of the larger Biodiversity Survey. More thank 25 volunteers spent a day foraging across a number of Wonyip sites and uploaded observations/images to iNaturalist, the project database for identification 
Event 2 - Wonyip Bird and Platypus Survey
On 21 October 2023, bird experts Dallas Wyatt and Jane Taylor led a group of volunteers across a number of sites at Wonyip observing as many birds as possible. 39 species were identified, including the threatened pilot bird which had not been previously recorded in the area. 
Event 3 - Bird Survey (December 2023)
It was a VERY rainy day, but the skies cleared for a moment and a handful of intrepid Landcare volunteers, led by Dallas Wyatt, undertook a 4 hour bird survey across the Webb property and part of the Bratuaulung Forest Park. Yes there was rain, yes there were leaches, but the dedicated group still had a blast and the bird life did not disappoint!! Wonyip Bioblitz (3-4 February 2024)
The Wonyip Landcare Group will be hosting volunteers from Intrepid Landcare and other Landcare Groups on an overnight bioblitz, aiming to map the flora, bird and bat biodiversity in the region. The event will involve overnight camping, surveying, and a movie night. For more information, contact Helen Spittle M 0425 710001, E. [email protected]. 
Representing Wonyip at the
|
