Telopea Downs Nature Haven Project

Overview

Carbon Landscapes is working in partnership with Zoos Victoria and Trust for Nature to determine if our Telopea Downs property can support threatened species, such as the Mallee Emu-wren and their habitat requirements. We are undertaking flora and fauna surveys on the property to ensure that the area is suitable for this threatened species as well as other target species. Current survey results are already indicating that Telopea Downs is a nature haven for many threatened species, including a stable population of Malleefowl, a species listed as endangered in Victoria.

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Threatened Species

Weighing only 4 grams, the Mallee Emu-Wren is a weak flyer and is particularly vulnerable to bushfires. Unable to cross large, open areas, the species has disappeared from large parts of its former range. The birds spend most of their time close to the ground in dense cover, darting between patches of Mallee spinifex. Zoos Victoria estimates there are between 7,500 and 35,500 birds left in the wild, placing the species in the endangered category.

The Big Desert Wilderness Park was once a stronghold for the Mallee Emu-wren. The Telopea Downs Nature Haven Project aims to reintroduce individuals of this species into the National Park, to increase the Park’s existing population.

What needs to be done?

Work in partnership with Barengi Gadjin Land Council to explore opportunities to develop and implement joint projects to improve Country
Establish a predator-proof fence to prevent access by feral goats, control predators and create a nature haven for existing native fauna and future reintroductions
Reintroduce target fauna species (i.e., Mallee Emu-wren and Western Quoll) in partnership with Zoos Victoria, Bird Life and other partners
Partner with nearby land managers, to create a network of conservation properties to achieve better outcomes for the nationally listed ‘Mallee Bird Community of the Murray Darling Depression Bioregion’
Understand and implement recommended management actions associated with protecting the property’s endangered Green-leaf Mallee (Eucalyptus phenax subsp. phenax) population
Continue feral goat control program in partnership with neighbouring properties

What are we doing?

Protecting and enhancing existing Mallee Woodland and Shrubland on property
Established a fauna survey program in partnership with Zoos Victoria
Undertaken a floristic survey of the property to understand how to best manage the property’s vegetation
Working in partnership with Bird Life to determine feasibility of future introductions of Mallee Emu-wren populations
Building on our existing knowledge of Malleefowl nesting mounds throughout property
Installed camera traps to start benchmarking the presence of native fauna species on the property
Established a bore-fed wetland, surrounded by a predator proof fence, to provide a continual water source for birds

Our Partners

Zoos Victoria are undertaking seasonal fauna surveys to help us understand what fauna species occur at Telopea Downs.

We are working under a partnership agreement with Trust for the Nature to manage the property as a conservation covenant, ensuring that the site is protected in perpetuity.

Determining suitable species for reintroduction to Telopea Downs is a focus on our partnership with Odonata Foundation.

In the spirit of reconciliation Carbon Landscapes acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

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