Protecting Threatened Species
Telopea Downs Nature Haven Project800 hectares
Protected Mallee Woodland and ShrublandThreatened Species
Malleefowl, Mallee Emu-wren, Western QuollPartners
Partnering with Zoos Victoria, Trust for Nature & Odonata Foundation through Carbon LandscapesSupporting Conservation
With support from First Option Bank, Carrbon 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.
Carbon Landscapes is 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.
Protecting 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.
Zoos Victoria estimates there are between 7,500 and 35,500 birds left in the wild, placing the species in the endangered category.
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 is happening?
- 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
Carbon neutral business
First Option Bank has partnered with Trace to become a carbon neutral organisation. This means that we have measured the carbon emissions associated with our operations and offset those emissions through certified climate action projects. You can see our impact and read about the projects we are supporting by clicking on our Carbon Neutral Organisation badge. We are passionate about sustainability and are looking at ways we can further minimise our impact on the planet.