• HiltabaLaunch+GrandWorkingBee

• WaterforNatureUpdate

• PropertyUpdate

• FloatingMacrophytes

• MazdaFoundationDonation

• PugHillHuttMountLoftyRanges4WDClub

StretchingfurtherthantheeyecanseeHiltabaNatureReserveisavastareathatisbeingmanagedatalandscapescalelevel.BiologicalsurveysarehelpingbetterunderstandandprotecttheuniquebiodiversityofHiltabaandotherconservationproperties.

winter2013newsletterofNatureFoundationSAIncPrintedon100%recycledpaper

VITAL WORK APPEAL 2013

PHOTO:NatashaHarper

[ SAVE | PROTECT | RESTORE ]

Dave Goodenough - Hiltaba Manager

Davehasbeenasolidplastererforatotalof46yearsinSouthAustralia.HefirstbecameinvolvedwithNatureFoundationSAthroughhisvoluntaryworkwiththeMountLoftyRanges4WheelDriveClub.TogetherwithMarjorytheyhave7children,17grandchildrenand2greatgrandchildren.

AfterashorttwoweekvolunteerpositionatHiltabaStationheandMarjorybecameawareoftheHiltabaManagerpositionbecomingavailableandsawitastoogoodanopportunitytopassup.DaveandMarjorylovethescenery,natureandanimals(particularlybirds)andlookforwardtohelpingconservethepropertyintothefuture.

2 www.naturefoundation.org.au

OurFoundationhasexperiencedanamazinglybusyyearsinceIwrotethelastEndofFinancialYearMessage.

WehadtobeevenmorefrugalthannormalastheamountoffinancialsupportfromMembersslowedasweexpectedandpredictedaftertheeffectoftheFinancialCrisishitallsectorsoftheeconomy.

TheFoundationembarkedonanumberofprogrammestoimproveitsposition.ThemostimportantofthesewastheworkdonebyeachofourstaffinidentifyingpossiblegrantgivingoptionswhichexistinthePhilanthropicworld,theCorporateworld,theGovernmentsectorandtheMiningcommunity.FromthisconcentratedactivityweweresuccessfulinattractinganumberofsmalltomediumgrantsincludingaMazda4wheeldriveandanumberofsmallercashdonationsmainlyforourWaterforNatureinitiative.Wearestillintherunningforsomelargergrantsyettobedecided.

ItisawonderfulsituationwhichisnowthenormwherebyallstaffcontinuetoseeksupportfortheFoundationfromvariousgrantgivingentities,andwhilstitisnowpartoftheirdaytodaywork-loadstheCouncilthankseachpersonforthewonderfuleffortsheorhehasputinwhenneeded.

TheFoundationalsoattractedsubstantialfundsviatheSignificantEnvironmentalBenefitsprocessforresearchandbiodiversityimprovementonourmajorproperties.

As with almost all grants though very little money flows to general revenue, so it is incredibly important that we are successful in raising untied revenue from this appeal.

Weareveryawarethatwemustnotexpecttoomuchfromourlong-sufferingsupporterssowehaveembarkedonadrivetoattractnewmemberswhichwasquitesuccessfullastyear.WeattractedanumberofnewmembersfromourWalkforNatureandotheractivitiessuchasourGrandWorkingBeeatWitchelina.WeareencouragedthatsomeofourCorporate,MiningandGovernmentpartnersareencouragingtheirstaffmemberstojointheFoundation.

YouwillseetheimpactoftheFinancialclimatehashadonourendofyearfundraisingactivitiesoverthelastfewyearsbythegraphbelow

Weweresoincrediblyluckythispastfinancialyearinthatwereceived4substantialBequestsfromwonderfulmemberswhopassedandintheirlastactofsupportfortheFoundationinfactwereabletomovetheFoundationfromapositionofsomegrowingconcernbecauseofaloweringofouruntiedincometoplacingitonaveryfirmfootingonceagain.

ThishasbeenthehistoryoftheFoundationinthatbyitsverynatureBequestsarethenormandhavealwaysbeenpartofthe

TheCouncilofNatureFoundationSAisverysorrytobefarewellingitsTreasurerStephenWarren.

SincejoiningCouncilin2010,StephenhasoverseenthefinancialmanagementoftheFoundationandprovidedvaluableadvicetoCouncil.Stephen’sprofessionalexpertisehasassistedNFSAfollowappropriatefinancialandgovernancerequirementsduringthetransitionfromanorganisationwithfewassetstotheFoundationoftoday,whereitmanagesassetsofover$10millionincludingfivepropertiesandconsiderabletiedfunds.

Stephen’sprofessionalworkloadnowrequireshimtobeinterstateandoverseassofrequently,thathedoesnotbelieveheisabletogiveNFSAtheattentiontoitsfinanceswhichtheorganisationrequires.TheCouncilandstaffofNFSAthankStephenverymuchforthevaluablesupporthehasgiventotheFoundation.

Farewell Stephen Warren

Nicholas Edwards - NFSA Incoming Treasurer

WearedelightedtowelcomeNicholasEdwardsasournewTreasurer.Nicisalawyer,charteredaccountant,directorandshareholderofHoodSweeney,aprofessionalservicesfirmbasedinAdelaide.

HebeganhiscareerinMelbourneatCoopers&LybrandbeforemovingtoaroleasaninvestmentmanagerwithANZPrivateBankandworkinSydneyasacorporatetaxconsultant.

NicreturnedtoAdelaidein2010tobeclosertohiswiderfamily.Heenjoysspendingtimewithhisfamily(twoyoungchildren),cooking,gardening,travellingandwatchingtheAdelaideCrowswin.NichasanenthusiasmfortheenvironmentandislookingforwardtocontributingtotheworkofNatureFoundationSA.

financingoftheFoundation,butofcoursebytheirverynaturewehavenoideawhentheymightoccur,andhavehadperiodsoftimeofoverayearorsowhennonehavebeenforthcoming.Thishasbeensothroughoutits31yearswhilstitachievedtheamazingsuccessesithasachievedbutitwouldbeagreatthingfortheFoundationifwecouldattractsufficientfundstobeabletoinvestandoperateontheinterestfromthosefunds---ONEDAYMAYBE!!!!

WhilstrecognisingtheworkofourStaff,Imustthankpublicallyagain(Idon’tthinkwecaneverthankherenough)ourwonderfulBarbaraHardy,weareveryawarethatmanyofoursupporterscontinuetohelptheFoundationasadirectconsequenceofBarbara’seffortsinconnectingwithourdonors.At86thiswonderfulbeaconfortheConservationmovementisourmostprecious“possession”thankyouourdearBarbaraforyourcontinuingsupport.

ThankyoutoallofourmembersforyourcommitmenttotheFoundation.

Bob Lott

2008 20112009 20122010$0

$17,0000

$35,000

$52,500

$70,00000

$52,447

$69,053$63,280

$56,694

$21,939

VITAl WorkS AppeAl

DONATION FORM | VITAL WORKS APPEAL 2013Iwouldliketodonate:$30|$60|$120|$250|$500|Other:$_______

Iwouldliketopaybycreditcard(ticktypebelow)EFTORMycheque/moneyorderisattached.

MastercardVISAAMEXDinersNameoncard:_____________________________________________

Cardno:|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|Expirydate(MM/YY):|__|__|__|__|

Name/s:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address:_________________________________________________________________Postcode:____________________________

Suburb/town:____________________________________________________________Telephone:___________________________

Email:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

electronic Funds Transfer (eFT) BSB:105900 Acc No: 963747240 Name: Nature Foundation SA Inc. Description: NFSA Membership (add in name)WerecommendthatyouemailNFSAatnaturefoundationsa@nfsa.org.autoadviseoftheEFTtransaction

www.naturefoundation.org.au 3

WhatistheVitalWorksAppealandwherewillmoneyraisedgo?SimplyputtheVitalWorksAppealisa‘calltoaction’forsupportersofNatureFoundationSAtohelpustogeneratefundsforthenewfinancialyearandaddressthe‘pressurepoints’facingtheFoundation.

Theon-the-groundworkofNatureFoundationSAspansmuchofSouthAustralia-fromlandscape(largescale)aridlandconservationatHiltabaandWitchelinainthenorthofthestatetoenvironmentalwateringtorestoreRiverMurraywoodlandsandfloodplains.Importantlythemajorityofourexternalfundingistiedtospecificprojectsandprograms,andusuallyexcludesfundingforkeyequipmentandhumanresourcecapacitytodeliveracrossotherareas.

VitalWorks‘untied’fundingiscriticalfortheworkoftheFoundation-whichcanonlybedonebyhavingfundstopayforthedaytodayrunningoftheFoundation.VitalWorksissimplythat,supporttocarryouttheeverydayworknecessarytomanageourpropertiesandprograms,andtoinvestinourpeopleand

organisationalcapacitytodeliverhighqualityconservationoutcomesinthefield.

VitalWorks2013fundingwillsupportstaffandoperationsacrossthethreekeyareasoftheFoundation:

• Thepurchaseandmanagementof landwithsignificantconservationvalue:

AkeyachievementofNature FoundationSAduring2012wasthe purchaseofHiltabaStationontheEyre Peninsula(animportantlinkintheeast- westnaturecorridor)

• Fundingofhighlevelconservation researchprojects

Ourlongstandinggrantsprogram continuestodevelopthenext generationofecologyresearchleaders inSouthAustraliaandyoursupport isessentialtotheskillsitbuildsandthe researchknowledgeitprovides.

•WaterforNature–coordinating environmentalwateringalongtheRiver MurrayinSouthAustralia.

In2012NatureFoundationSAwas honouredtobethefirstnon governmentorganisationtoreceive aCommonwealthGovernment environmentalwaterallocationto deliver50gigalitresofCommonwealth environmentalwateroverthenext

IANATkINSON,CEO

fiveyearstotheRiverMurray rehabilitateprivatewetlandsin SouthAustralia.

Evenwiththesterlingcontributionsofoursmallstaffandvolunteerteams,thesecoreactivitiesoftheFoundationplaceconsiderablepressureontheFoundation’sresources.‘VitalWorks’fundsraisedwillbeusedtoassistNatureFoundationSAdeliverprograms,activitiesandevents.

NFSAworkstosave,protectandrestoreareasofhighconservationvalue–creatinganenvironmentallegacyforthefuture.Itisonlywiththesupportofmembersanddonorsthatwecanworktofulfilourmission–conservingourpreciousearth’snaturalbiodiversityforthefuture.

IechothewordsofourPresidentBobLottandPatronBarbaraHardyininvitingyoutocontributetoourVitalWorksAppealtoprovidepracticalsupportfortheworkofNatureFoundationSA.

THIS PHOTO: Witchelina Nature Reserve

BELOW RIGHT: Hiyoba Ghirmay (NFSA Conservation Programs Officer) centre and LAP volunteer monitoring Clark’s Floodplain

VITAL WORK APPEAL 2013

Donationsover$2aretaxdeductible.

Please post to:

Nature Foundation SA Inc. PO Box 448 Hindmarsh SA 5007, or Phone 1300 366 191.

4 www.naturefoundation.org.au

HiltabaNatureReserve,a780squarekilometrepropertyadjacenttheGawlerRangesNationalParkintheEyrePeninsula,waslaunchedonFriday3rdMay.OfficiatingthelaunchwereDrBarbaraHardyAOourwonderfulPatronandCo-founderofNatureFoundationSAandBobLott,CouncilPresident.TrevorNaismith(RegionalManager,SAAridLands)spokeoftheclosecollaborationofstategovernmentandNatureFoundationSAworkinginpartnershiptomanageprotectedareas.

NatureFoundationSApurchasedHiltabain2012withtheassistanceoftheAustralianGovernmentthroughtheCaringforourCountryfundandtheSouthAustralianGovernmentthroughtheDepartmentofEnvironment,WaterandNaturalResources.

PresidentBobLottsaid“Hiltabaisabiodiversity‘hotspot’atanecosystemcrossroadswithararecollectionoffloraandfaunafromthreeconvergingecosystems–therockyGawlerRanges,aridcountrytothenorthandmalleetothesouth.SevenspeciesofplantsandanimalsarenotfoundanywhereelsebuttheGawlerRanges–wearethrilledtolaunchsuchasignificantpropertyasaNatureReserve.”

AgainstthesettingoftheHiltabaShearingShedthelocalWirrullaProgressAssociationprovidedaBBQlunchwhichwasfollowedbytheofficiallaunch.Attendeesthenhadanopportunitytojoina‘tagalong’tourofthepropertyledbyDrGregJohnston(NFSAConservationEcologist)offeringafantasticinsightintotheconservationvalueoftheproperty.GiftedartistandNatureFoundationSAsupporterkathleenPatitsasaddedtothedayasshesketchedaGidgee(orSpiny-Tailed)Skink–anupclosereminderofjustwhatthedaywasallabout.

Attendeesonthedayincludedneighboursfromadjacentproperties,localcommunitymembers,EyrePeninsulaNatureResourceCentrestaff,FriendsofGawlerRangesNationalPark,DepartmentofEnvironment,WaterandNaturalResourcesstaff

fromAdelaide,PortAugustaandtheGawlerRangesNationalPark,NatureFoundationSAWorkingBeeattendees,Councilandstaff.

IanAtkinson,NFSACEO,saidthatthelaunchwasanimportantopportunitytoletthelocalcommunityknowwhattheFoundationisdoing.“We’vedestockedtheproperty,removedover6300goatsoverthelast12monthsandarenowfocusingnowonthereductionofcatsandfoxes.Oncetheseconservationthreatshavereducedandimprovementstoinfrastructurearefinishedwewillallowcontrolledaccesstothepropertysomorepeoplecanappreciateitaswell”.

NatureFoundationSAismanagingthepropertyatalandscapeleveltoensureastronglinktosurroundinghabitatsandconservationprogramsintheregion.HiltabaisanimportantcomponentoftheEastMeetsWestNatureLinksCorridor,a750kmbiodiversitycorridorlinkingpublicandprivatelandstocreatehealthyanddiversehabitatontheEyrePeninsula.

TheHiltabaNatureReserveManagementPlanembracesthevisionthatHiltabawillcontinuetomaintainhighconservationvalueforfuturegenerationsbyprovidingprotectedhabitatsforthelong-termconservationofnativeplantsandanimalsincluding‘icon’speciessuchastheYellow-footedRock-wallaby.

Short-termenvironmentalobjectivesincludeanticipatedincreasesintheYellow-footedRock-wallabypopulationoverthenext12months(linkedtoreductionsinthefoxpopulation).OutcomesfortheextraordinaryMyallTreewhichlivesupto300years,willtakemuchlonger,wehopetoseeyoungMyallinthenext30-40yearsandthebestcasescenariowouldbeforthoseseedlingstosurviveoverthenext200yearsandhaveaself-sustainingpopulation.

Forfurtherinformationrefer:www.naturefoundation.org.au/our-work/hiltaba/Youtube–checkouttheHiltabaLaunchvideoatwww.youtube.com/user/NatureFoundationSA1

HILTABA NATURE RESERVE LAUNCH

ABOVE: Over 60 people attended the Launch BELOW LEFT: Trevor Naismith, Regional Manager SA Arid Lands, Barbara Hardy NFSA Patron, Ian Atkinson NFSA CEO and Bob Lott NFSA Council President BELOW RIGHT: Dr Greg Johnston (right) leads a tour of Hiltaba

LISAGELLIE-COMMUNICATIONSMANAGER

AtHiltaba,nearthewesternendoftheGawlerRangesandnearthecentreoftheexposedcrystallinebasementrockstypicalofthatareaoftheEyrePeninsula,agesof1595-1555millionyearshavebeenobtainedfromgraniteexposedthere.ThisareaispartoftheGawlerCratonandiscollectivelytermedtheHiltabaSuite.Itscolourisadistinctiveredduetoabundantminuteironoxideinclusionswithintheplagioclaseandpotassiumfeldsparswhicharepartofthechemicalstructureoftheserocks(from“TheGeologyofSouthAustralia”,Volume

1,ThePrecambrian,Bulletin54,1993,MinesandEnergy,SouthAustralia).TherocksinthewiderregionareknownastheGawlerRangeVolcanics(GVR),andarehomogeneousandcoarse-grained.ItisworthnotingthatthevolcanicsthatoccurintheEyrePeninsularegiontogetherconstituteoneofthelargestacidvolcaniccomplexesknownanywhereintheworld(from“NaturalHistoryofEyrePeninsula”,Twidale,TylerandDavies,1985).Itisbelievedthatextensivepartialmeltingofthelowercrustinthisregiontookplaceinearliertimes,withthegenerationoflarge

magmachambersthatascendedtoformbatholithsandsmallerplutonswhichbecameknownastheHiltabaSuite.Majoreruptionsmayalsohaveoccurred.TheHiltabaSuitealsoincludestheCharlestonGranite,TickeraGranite,Calcagraniteandnumerousotherunnamedgranites.

DuringtheirvisitNatureFoundationparticipantswereabletodrivethroughsomeofthisareaneartheHiltabahomestead,andnotedthatthelandscapeincludedmanylowroundedhillsinterspersedwithflatplainsindicatinglongperiodsofgentleerosionduetorelativelyfewperiodsofrain.Therewereonlyafewrockyoutcrops.

TheFoundationisparticularlypleasedwithitspurchaseoftheHiltabapropertybecauseithashadagreatinterestinthisregionsince1999.AtthattimeithadtakenpartinthepurchaseofPaneyandScrubbyPeakStationsinpartnershipwiththeStateandFederalGovernmentsinordertoassistintheestablishmentoftheGawlerRangesNationalPark.TherecentlyacquiredHiltabaNatureReserveislocatedveryclosetothisParkandwillbeagreatadditiontolandconservationinthisstateofours.

HIlTABA NATure reSerVeBRIEFGEOLOGICALHISTORYOFTHE

BArBArA HArDy - NFSA co-FouNDer & pATroN

www.naturefoundation.org.au 5

PATRICkMENTZEL-FUNDRAISING&MARkETINGMANAGER

NatureFoundationSAwasmostprivilegedtohaveatotalof22volunteersandstaffparticipateintheGrandWorkingBeetohelpwithanumberofimportantmaintenancejobsandpre-launchactivities.ItwasamazingtoseeeveryonediligentlyjoininontheFridaymorningbeforethelaunchtoensurethegroundsweretidyandtheshearingshedwasinapresentableshapetohostourguests.

ThepaintingoftheoutsideofthehomesteadwasamajorfocusovertheweekendandwasledbythetirelesseffortsofMariaReedwhichtookonlythreedaystocompletewithherteamofpainters.AlexNankivellcourageouslyledtheweedcontrolteamwhodidasterlingjoboferadicatinghorehound,centuryplant,boxthornandpricklypeararoundtheimmediatevicinityofthehomesteadandshearersquarters.ChrisReedleadanumberofwillingremovalistswhohelpedtotakeawayapproximately300moffencingatafencingjuncturetoenableferalgoatstobeherdedthroughinthefuture.DaveGoodenoughledateamwhodugholesandcementedinournewHiltabaNatureReservesignsatallthreeentrancestothepropertyandatthehomestead.

AsarewardforeffortovertheweekendNatureFoundationSAprovidedguidedtourstoPrettyPointandScenicLookoutforourhardworkingvolunteerstoenjoythediversityandgreatexpanseofHiltabaNatureReserve.

Agrandthankyoutoallthosewhoparticipated!

Hiltaba scenic lookout

HILTABA GRAND WORkING BEE

Volunteers remove unwanted fencingL-R: Maria Reed and Natasha Harper painting the Homestead

6 www.naturefoundation.org.au

FollowingtheformallaunchinFebruarythisyear,NatureFoundationSAandourdeliverypartnershavebeenundertakingamajorenvironmentalwateringatClark’sFloodplainnearBerri.Morethanhalfofthe100ML(millionlitres)ofCommonwealthwaterallocatedtothesitehasalreadybeendeliveredandmonitoringofthesitehasrecordedpositiveresponseswithseedlingsthriving,andevennewgrowthfromtreesthatwerethoughttohaveperished(above).

Mothernatureistenaciousandit’shearteningthat,withalittlebitofhelp,thisimportantfloodplainiscomingbackfromthebrinkwiththestressedBlackBoxtrees,andlignumontheimprove.ThisisanimportantprojectthatwillrestoreRiverMurrayhabitatcriticaltotheYellowRosella,foundonlyintheBlackBoxandRedGumwoodlandsoftheRiverland,andtheRegentParrot.

EnvironmentalwateringalsocommencedatRamcoLagoon,located7kmdownstreamfromWaikerie,inMay.Likemanysitesalongtherivertheriverbankheresawthegerminationofblackboxseedlingsafterthe2011-12floods.Theseseedlingssitinasettingofdeadtrees(above)anddesperatelyneedthesupportprovidedbythisenvironmentalirrigationevent.

karenBishop,ProjectOfficerRiverlandWestLandcare,ismanagingtheenvironmentalwatering,using7MLofenvironmentalwatergrantedtoNatureFoundationSAthroughtheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOffice.NatureFoundationSAisexcitedtobepartneringwithRiverlandWestLandcareonthisimportantproject.

AN INITIATIVE OF NATURE FOUNDATION SA

AN INITIATIVE OF NATURE FOUNDATION SA

WATERFORNATUREUPDATE

LEFT: Clark’s Floodplain - new growth on mature stressed Black BoxABOVE: Irrigation at Ramco Lagoon PHOTOS:GregJohnston

InApriltheScientificExpeditionGroupset-upavitalpartoftheFoundation’senvironmentalmonitoringprogramonHiltabaReserve.Mammals,reptiles,invertebratesandvegetationweredocumentedusingstandardsurveytechniquesatsixteensitesspreadacrossthereserve.Halfofthesiteswereclosetowaterpointswherepastgrazingbysheephasdegradednativevegetation.Theotherhalfofthesiteswereplacedapproximatelythreekilometresfromthewaterpointswherethegrazedsitesweresituated.Threekilometresisthedistancebeyondwhichtheimpactofhistoricalgrazingbysheepisminimal.Thispaired-sitesdesignwillallowcomparisonofplacesthathadhistoricallyheavilyandlightlygrazedsowecanmeasurethesuccessofremovingstockfromHiltabaforconservation.

Hiltaba Survey

Theresultsofthisbaselinemonitoringsurveyshowedthatdifferentspecieslivedingrazedandungrazedsites,andthatthereweremoreweedsongrazedsites.Critically,theslender-billedthornbillwereonlyfoundatungrazedsites.Thesesmallbirdsarevulnerabletoextinctionbecausetheirpreferredbluebush-saltbushhabitathasbeenalteredbygrazing.

AstheFoundation’smanagementofHiltabaforconservationsucceeds,wewouldexpecttoseetheplantsandanimalsonthegrazedsitestobecomemoresimilartothoseontheungrazedsites.ThiswouldshowthattheremovalofstockfromHiltabahasallowedareasbadlyaffectedbygrazingtorecover.Beingasemi-aridarea,recoveryislikelytobeslow.Theexercisewillberepeatedinthreeyearstomeasurethesuccessofourmanagementforconservation.

ABOVE: SEG participantsBELOW: less grazed site with healthy populations of bluebush, saltbush, lichens and moss on soil surfaceBOTTOM: heavy grazed site near water source

Dr greg joHNSToN - coNSerVATIoN ecologIST

HIyoBA gHIrMAy - coNSerVATIoN progrAMS oFFIcer

PHOTOS:PeterMatejcic

7www.naturefoundation.org.au

relATIVe Fox AND cAT NuMBerS per 100kM

WATERFORNATUREUPDATE

ALEXNANkIVELL–CONSERVATIONPROGRAMSMANAGER

Wehaveofficiallyjustexperiencedthehottestsummersincerecordkeepingbeganin1910.TheaverageAustralianmaximumtemperaturewasthehighestonrecordwithmaximumtemperaturesaveragedacrossAustraliaasawhole,1.61°Cwarmerthanaverage.

PROPERTYUPDATE

WitchelinaThenearbytownshipofLeighCreekposteditshottestdayonrecord46.3°CinJanuary2013.Thepreviousrecordwas46.1°CsetinJanuary2011.TheMarreeTownshipalsoexperiencedextremelyhotweatherwith19daysinJanuaryabove40°Cwiththehottestdayof48.3°C.

ThehotdryconditionscoincidedwiththelateonsetofthenorthernAustralianmonsoon,preventingmoistureandcloudoftropicaloriginfrommoderatingtemperaturesinland.Theseconditionshavealsocontributedtoverylowrainfallwiththelast7monthsyieldingonly50mmofrainfallattheWitchelinahomestead.

Thesehot,dryconditionshaveplacedfloraandfaunaunderstress.NFSAthroughitsrotationalmanagersandpartnershavecontinuedtoreducethethreatstofloraandfaunaandlearnmoreabouttheecologicalprocessesoccurringonthepropertythroughresearch.

Wehavebegunmappingandrippingofrabbitwarrenscompleting12km2inchenopodshrublands.TheHunting&ConservationBranchoftheSportingShootersAssociationcontinuestomopupremaininggoatsthathavebecomeveryelusive.Ourspotlightshootingprogramhascontinuedtofocusonreducingpredationbyfoxesandcatswithpositivegroundbeingmadewithfoxes.Whilecatdensitiesappeartoremainconsistent(seegraph).Gutcontentsarebeingcollectedfromfoxesandcatstounderstandthecompositionofpreyitemstakenovertime.

TheNFSAhascontinueditsboundaryfencingprogramhavingrecentlyreplaced23kmdilapidatedfenceonthewesternboundarypreventingstockincursionsfromthewestandprovidingprotectiontovaluableMulgawoodlands.

FlindersUniversityhasbecomeamajorprojectpartnerassistingtheNFSAtodelivertwopiecesofsignificantresearchatWitcehlinawiththe‘AlltheWaytotheSeedbank’and‘ThickbilledGrasswrenoffset’projects’underway.WelookforwardtoreportingonprogressinfutureeditionsofNatureMatters.

TheMountLofty4WDClubhasbeendoingafantasticjobrestoringanoldstoneshepherdshut,PugHillHut,withworkonthisprojectnearingcompletion.Oncecompleted,thishutwillbeusedasasouthernbaseallowingresearchers,managersandcontractorstoaccessthelargelyinaccessiblesouthernsanddunecountry.

Finally,theWitcehlina4WDtrackhasreopenedforthewintertouristseasonandwewelcomeallthoseinterestedinexperiencingWitchelinatotakeadvantageofthisbeautifuldrive.

FormoreinformationandbookingscontactMareeHotelon86758344orinfo@marreehotel.com.au

TiliquaTheFlindersUniversityresearchteam,ledbyProfessorMichaelBull,hasjustcompletedits2012/13researchseason.PastresultshavesuggestedthatPygmyBluetonguelizardsachievelowerbodyconditioninhotdryyears,anditisexpectedthatthiswilloccuragaininthe2012/13season.Nevertheless,researchersrecordedanormalnumberoflizardbirths,althoughthefirstbabieswereproducedinmidJanuary,acoupleofweeksearlierthaninmorenormalyears.

ThiswasaseasonofintenseresearchactivityonTiliqua.AaronFennerhasbeentrialingavarietyofartificialburrowdesignstofindwhichthelizardsprefertouse.Thisisalongtermtrialandwehopetohavesomeconclusionsbytheendofnextseason.Aaronalsoconducteddetailedfilmingoflizardbehavioursover20occupiedburrowsthroughouttheseason,andweexpectmuchtoberevealedabouttheirbasicecologyfromthefootage.

JessClaytonandTorbenNeilsenhavecompletedthefirstyearoftheirPhDprojectslookingattheimpactsofsheepgrazingontheburrowbuildingspiders(Jess)andthelizards(Torben).Bothhavebeenestablishingnormalbackgroundlevelsintheungrazedpaddocks,beforethestartofthesheepgrazingtreatmentsinautumn2013.Wenowwaittocomparetheimpactsofheavyandlightgrazinginthe2013/14season.

Additionally,TrishWrighthasbeenexploringspiderdiggingbehaviourforherHonoursproject.Whereshehopestofindoutwhatconditionswillbefavourableforspiderstodigholesthatlizardscanlateruse.

HIyoBA gHIrMAy - coNSerVATIoN progrAMS oFFIcer

Witchelina - Ripped Rabbit Warren Station Creek beginning to flow

2012

Cats / 100kmFoxes / 100km

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The kangaroo Island Planting Festival 5 -7 July

Para Woodlands Planting Day 21 JuneDrAgoS MoISe

ThekangarooIslandPlantingFestivalwillbeheldonFriday5th,Saturday6thandSunday7thJuly2013.

Volunteersareneededtohelprestore25hectaresofhabitatforsomeofkangarooIsland’srarestplantlife.Over100specieswillbeplanted,manyofwhicharefoundonlyonkangarooIsland.

Nopreviousplantingexperienceisrequiredandlunchwillbeprovidedforallvolunteers.

Forfurtherdetailsofwherethefestivalwillbeheld,howtogetthere,andotherusefulinformation,pleaseclickonthefollowinglink(orpasteitintothenavigationbarofyourinternetbrowser):https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_P5FHHfb9ZxT09NdnVFeWtkcXc/edit?usp=sharing

Itisveryimportantthatweknowhowmanypeoplewillbeattendingsothatwecanorganisecatering,etc.So,onceyouhavefinalisedyourplans,pleasecontactNatureFoundationSAofficetoregisterasavolunteer.Pleasenotethatalltravel&accommodationareatyourownexpense.

ForregistrationsandenquiriespleasecontactHeiriklein,HabitatRestorationProjectOfficer,NaturalResourceskangarooIslandbyemailingheinrich.klein@sa.gov.auortheNFSAofficeNatureFoundationSA@nfsa.org.au1300366191

ParaWoodlandsisaformerfarmingpropertylocatednearGawlergenerouslydonatedbyMrsElizabethLaw-SmithandherlatehusbandtotheNatureFoundationSAandDepartmentofEnvironment,WaterandNaturalResources.ThefocusatParaWoodlandsishabitatrestoration

Thisyear,volunteerscanattendtheplantingdayatParaWoodlandsonFriday21stofJune,from10amto3pm(approx).Theseplantingsareanimportantstepinthislong-termprojectwhichaimstore-establishnativevegetationincludingthecriticallyendangeredPeppermintBox(Eucalyptusodorata)grassywoodland,andprovidevaluablehabitatfordecliningwoodlandbirds.Thisyearweaimtoestablish400trees,2,500irongrassLomandra,and8,000nativegrassesofvariousspecies,inanattempttoreconstructhabitatsusingbothapproaches:‘top-down’(startwiththecanopy)and‘bottom-up’(startwiththegroundcover).Eighteenhectareswillberevegetatedthisyear.

ParaWoodlandsislocatedinthetownshipofkalbeeba,3kmsoutheastofGawler,offAllendaleRoad.EntryisviatheRoclagate(UBDMap24,Q15).Volunteersareencouragedtodressaccordingtotheweather(besun/rainsmart),andbringglovesforplanting.Nopreviousplantingexperienceisrequired.HotdrinksandaBBQlunchwillbeprovided.Toiletsareavailable.

Forcateringpurposes,pleaseRSVPby14thofJunetoDragosMoise,ParaWoodlandsRestorationEcologist-83360913orDragos.Moise@sa.gov.au.ThiseventissupportedbytheDepartmentofEnvironment,WaterandNaturalResources,andNatureFoundationSA.

MONTHLY GIVING –NATUREDOLLARSHOW CAN YOU HELP?BybecominganatureFoundationSA NATureDollArSgiveryouwillhelpuscontinueourvitalworktoconservelandandwaterhabitatsforwildlifeacrossSouthAustralia.

NatureFoundationdeliversabi-annualresearchfundingprogram,whichsupportsresearchintoendangerednativespecieswithafocusonecologyhabitatrestoration.

OurWaterforNatureprogramdistributeswatertovolunteerdrivenwetlandwateringprojectstohelprestoreahealthyRiverMurrayenvironmentandcommunity.

NatureFoundationSAhasassistedinconservingover7000sqkmoflandandwillcontinuetoconservenativebushlandforconservation,restorationandbiodiversityinthefuture.

Please contact us at the office or download our Nature Dollars Form to Save, Protect and Restore the natural environment. www.naturefoundation.org.au/help-nature/nature-dollars

HEINRICHkLEIN

8 www.naturefoundation.org.au

9www.naturefoundation.org.au

reSeArcH FuNDeD By NATure FouNDATIoN SAreSeArcHer:RYANBARING,FLINDERSUNIPHDSTUDENTreSeArcH projecT: AN INVESTIGATION OF THE ROLE THAT FLOATING MACROPHYTES (SEAGRASSES & ALGAE) PLAY AS HABITAT & FOOD RESOURCE FOR INVERTEBRATES AND FISH FAUNA IN THE SURF ZONE OF SANDY BEACHESSuperVISorS: PROFPETERFAIRWEATHER,FLINDERSUNI&DRREBECCALESTER,DEAkINUNI.

What was the aim and purpose of your project? Driftingseaweedthataccumulatesalongsandybeachescanbeunsightly.Yet,therolethatdriftingseaweedplaysasahabitatformanyspeciesofyoungfishandtheirinvertebratespreyisveryimportantbutoftenoverlooked.Themainaimofthisprojectwastoinvestigateseaweedaccumulationsinthesurfzoneofsandybeachesduringstormversuscalmweathereventstoidentifytheseaweed,fishandinvertebratepreywithin.

Tell us the results of your projectTheamountsandtypesofdriftingseaweedfoundinthesurfzoneofsandybeachesduringstormandcalmweathereventsissimilar,indicatingthatthearrivalandmovementofdriftingseaweedisverycomplexandunpredictable.ThespeciesandabundanceofyoungfishthatareusingthedriftingseaweedashabitatisdifferentintheMetropolitanAdelaideandSouth-Eastregion.

What was the most exciting thing about this work? Driftingseaweedinthesurfzoneofsandybeachesplaysaveryimportanthabitatroleformanyspeciesofyoungfish.

Lookoutfortheextendedversiononourwebpageatwww.naturefoundation.org.au/grants/projects/

S. TopA peTIT - SeNIor lecTurer, uNIVerSITy oF SA

Iwasinvitedawhileagotogiveaone-hourpresentationonwhatDarwindidn’tknowaboutspiderorchidpollinationattheAustralian Native Plant Societyconference.Thatday,theSA Native Plant SocietymadethepresentationofamostexquisiteandstrikingmoneyboxtotheArid Lands Botanic GardenofPortAugusta.

JohnBarrie,PresidentoftheSARegionoftheNative Plant Society,hadspentfivemonthscreatingamagnificentsculptureoutofa200-kgtreetrunk.AsIcongratulatedhim,Johnstupefiedmebysayingthathehadbeen“soinspired”bymytalkonpygmypossumsandtheirfoodplantsatthepreviousyear’sconferencethathehadcarvedtwopygmypossumsintotheheartofthemoneybox,withtheirtailscurledaroundagoanna’s.

Atfirst,IfeltlikeIhadwontheNobelPrizeformostinspiringtalk,buttheNobelPrizedoesn’ttakefivemonthstomake.John’sworkisworthmorethanthat.ThissculptureisatestimonytothegreatnessofthePygmyPossumTeamandallothernatureloverswhoinspiredJohn.InitisapieceofAngi,Damian,Nadia,Ashley,katypossum,Bec,AliGina,Russell,IrinaandalltheotherwonderfulvolunteersandsupporterswhohavemadethePygmyPossumTeamthebest.ThesupportersofNatureFoundationSAareinittoo,becausetheFoundationhassponsoredagreatpartoftheresearchprojectovertheyears.SomakesuretogoandseethistotemtogreatAustralianwondersnexttimeyougototheArid Land Botanic Garden.Evenwhenemptyofcoins,it’sfulloflove,passion,dedicationandawe.

FLOATINGMACROPHYTES

TOP: Large seaweed deposits at Large Bay April 2011

LEFT: Young Leatherjacket captured around drifting seaweed in the surf zone at Basham Beach, Fleurieu Peninsula

RIGHT: The recreationally and

commercially important flathead (Platycephalus

speculator) captured during sein-net

sampling at Semaphore August 2011

NATIVE fLorA ANd fAuNA INspIrE

scuLpTurE

PhotosuppliedbyS.TopaPetit

PhotosuppliedbyRyanBaring

10 www.naturefoundation.org.au

InDecember2012theofficewasthrilledtolearnwehadbeensuccessfulinourgrantapplicationlookingforfundingtopurchaseasecond

workvehicle.WithfiveNFSAconservationmanagedpropertiestotallingover5000km²,twoofwhichareover600kmsfromtheofficeplusongroundWaterforNatureworkbeingdoneinBerri,the

AgroupofverydedicatedvolunteersfromtheMtLoftyRanges4WDClubdescendedonPugHillHutatWitchelinaoverEaster2013toundertaketherestorationoftheHut.Planningfortheeventhadbeenongoingforacoupleofmonthsandsomepre-constructionworkdoneinAdelaide.Theoldceilingswere

staffcoveralotofground!Asourworkprojectsexpandthedemandsonthecurrentvehiclehavebeenstretched.WeareverygratefultotheMazdaFoundationLimited’sacknowledgementoftheongoingworkwedotosave,protect&restoreSA’snaturalbiodiversitybykindlydonatinganewMazdaBT-504WDUtilityvehicletotheFoundation.

Sourcingfundingsupportfordirectconservationprojectsisonethingbutitissignificantlymoredifficulttogenerateincometoinvestinourpeopleandorganisationalcapacitytodeliverhighqualityconservationoutcomesinthe

field.Thisnew4WDwillbeusedbyourconservationteamatvariousremoteconservationprojectlocations.Inthefield,ourworkincludesmonitoring,surveying,feralanimalmanagementandscientificresearch.Theterrainisdifficultanddiverseandrequiresavehiclethatcanhandleawiderangeofoff-roadenvironments.

MAZDAfouNdATIoNdoNATEs 4wd

takenoutandreplacedwithgyprockandinsulated.Roomswerepaintedandflyscreensreplaced.Amajorstructuralrepairwassuccessfullyachievedwhenoneofthebuttressendwallsoftheverandawasunderpinnedandrealignedtoitsoriginalpositionbytwo,twentytonjacks,andtheuseoftheWitchelina4WD

articulatedloaderhydraulicbucket.Thiswillnowensurethestructuralintegrityofthebuildingfordecadestocome.Otheractivitiesundertakenweretheinstallationofa‘longdroptoilet’anda5000gallonrainwatertank.Afinalgeneralcleanupoftheareaandthesecuringofthenearbywellcompletedtheproject.The‘Rangers’clubmemberswereverygenerouswiththeirtimeandskillsanddonationsofbuildingmaterialsandfittings.MembersoftheClubwereatWitchelinafortwoweekswithupto30peoplerotatingthroughanddoinghundredsofhoursofworkontheHut.MarkCurtiscoordinatedtheevent.WithoutthissupportfromtheMtLoftyRangerstheHutwouldstillbeinapoorstate.Withthisrestorationitcannowbeusedasasecureoutstationofthepropertyresearchersandvisitorstostayin.TheFoundationisverygratefulforthesupportofThe‘Rangers’intherestorationofPugHillHut.

PUG HILL HUT RESTORATION

LEFT: Pug Hill Hut being restored ABOVE: Pug Hill Hutt completion with Termination Hill in background.PhotoscourtesyofMLR4WDC

Bob Lott (right) accepting handover of Mazda 4WD from Bill Pattison (State Manager Mazda)

MT loFTy rANgeS 4WD cluB

NATASHAHARPER-ADMINISTRATION&MARkETINGCOORDINATOR

CHRISREED-COUNCILLOR,NFSA

11www.naturefoundation.org.au

DENECORDES,PSM.-FRIENDSOFNFSAMEMBER

OnWednesday,5thApril,adinnerandAGMwasheldattheCrafersInnHotel,tocelebratethe5thbirthdayoftheFriends.Muchtothedelightofeveryone,wehadtheprivatediningroomtoourselves,andatotalof31peopleattended.Itwasagreatsuccess,withafriendlygroup,socialatmosphere,specialvisitors,afantasticguestspeaker,andtopfood.

President,JohnSibly,AM,welcomedallpresentincludingCEOofNatureFoundationSA,IanAtkinsonandexplainedthattheFriendshavereachedfiveyearsofimportantsupporttotheNatureFoundationSAInc.HeespeciallythankedallFriendsMembersfortheirsupportandorganisationalskills.Therehasbeenalotofgoodwill,andpeopleseemtohaveenjoyedthevarietyoftasksthathavebeenundertaken,rangingfromadministration,clearingtheundergroundroomsatheadquartersandsettingupaRecordsRoomfortheFriendsandalsofortheFoundation.ThegroundsatHindmarshhavebeentidiedup.SomemembershavebeenincrediblyconsistentinworkingbeesatWitchelinaStation,andmorerecentlyatHiltabaStation.OthershavehelpedattheWalkforNature,CygnetPark,ParaWoodlands,TiliquaandtheRiverland.

Miss Marion Jean Ligertwood

GillianBriggs(1931–2011)wasalong-standingsupporterofNatureFoundationSAwhichwasreflectedinasignificantbequesttotheFoundation.Shewaspassionatelyinterestedinscienceandnaturalhistoryfromanearlyage.Herparticularinterestsinbiologyandbotanyledtoalifelonginvolvementinconservationandenvironmentalactivities.

Theserangedfromon-groundactivitiessuchaspullingweeds,participatingintreeandbirdsurveys,andvolunteeringintheBotanicGardens-throughtoadministrativeactivitiessuchaspastPresidentoftheFieldNaturalistandFieldGeologyClubs,rolesintheBotanyClub,andrepresentativeontheConservationCouncilofSouthAustralia.Throughoutherlife,shedemonstratedhercommitmenttothenaturalenvironmentbymakingsubstantialdonationstoworthycauses,andfinally,byleavingagenerousbequesttoNatureFoundationSA.

Mrs Gillian Briggs

Mrs Gillian Briggs

MissMarionJeanLigertwood(1927–2012)previouslyofGlensideleftasignificantbequesttoNatureFoundationSA.MissLigertwoodhadbeenaregulardonorsince1989andhadshownagreatinterestinenvironmentalconservationandtheworkofNatureFoundationSA.

ThebequestwillbeusedtosupporttheworkofNatureFoundationSAinitsthreekeyareasofactivity:thepurchaseandmanagementofland,WaterforNatureprojectsandcommissioningresearchprojects.

Youmaywanttoconsidermakingagifttoassisttheworkofthefoundationthroughabequestandensuringalegacybeyondyourlifetime.

IfyouareinterestedindiscussingprovisionforabequestpleasecontactPatrickMentzelatNatureFoundationSAon83402880orpatrick.mentzel@nfsa.org.au

NatureFoundationSAisanot-for-profitenvironmentalcharitydependentuponthegenerosityofindividualsformuchofitswork.

NatureFoundationSAwouldliketoacknowledgethegenerousbequestsinthe2012-13yearfromMissMarionLigertwoodandMrsGillianBriggs,whosegenerositywillhelpustocontinueourconservationworktosave,protectandrestoreSouthAustralia’snaturalbiodiversity.

BEQuEsTs

FRIENDSOF

Thehighlightwaslisteningtoguestspeaker,RobSharrad,AM,ofAldgatewhoisaFellowoftheNFSA,apastPresident,andwhowasalsofoundingPresidentoftheFriendsofClelandPark.RobtalkedabouttheSharradfamily’slongconnectionswithAldgateandthewiderHillscommunities.Therewereanecdotesgalore,muchhumour,historythatmanyofusdidnotknow,andtheaddresshadathemethroughout–knowyourhistory,enjoyandtreasureyourhistory,andworkforthecommunityinwhichyoulive.

BobLott,PresidentofNatureFoundationSA,wasinvitedtocutthe5thbirthdaycakewhichwassharedbyallpresent.Itwasagreateveningthatwasenjoyedbyeveryonewhoattended.

NATURE FOUNDATION SA

Barbara Hardy and Ric Williams (Friends of NFSA members) at Hiltaba

12 www.naturefoundation.org.au

printed on 100% recycled paper containing 100% recycled fibre certified ‘post’ consumer by FSc standards

Patron & Donor Liaison Dr Barbara Hardy AOPatron Dick Smith AOPresident Bob LottVice President David Moyle AMHon Secretary Susie HerzbergTreasurer Nicholas EdwardsCouncillors Dr Bob Sharrad AM Chris Reed David Hansman Dr Rob Morrison OAM Chief Executive Ian AtkinsonConservation Programs Mgr Alex Nankivell Conservation Ecologist Dr Greg JohnstonConservation Projects Officer Hiyoba GhirmayFundraising & Marketing Mgr Patrick MentzelCommunications Mgr Lisa GellieAccountant Georgie FiedlerAdministration & Marketing Coordinator Natasha HarperFriends of NFSA President John Sibly

Nature Foundation SA Inc32 Holden Street (PO Box 448)Hindmarsh SA 5007Phone: (08) 8340 2880 or 1300 366 191Fax: (08) 8340 2506Email: NatureFounationSA@nfsa.org.auWebsite: www.naturefoundation.org.au

NatureFoundationSAhastheseadditionalwaysforyoutosupportourgreatwork:• Supportusbybecomingamember,introducingnewmembers and/orcontinuingyourmembership.

• SupportusbypledgingtoNatureDollars,ourmonthlygivingprogram,to Save,ProtectandRestoretheenvironment.

• Supportusbyhostingorparticipatinginaneventandraisingfunds viaeverydayhero.com.au:

*EnterourownWalkforNatureheldonSunday,20thOctober.

• Becomeavolunteeratourpropertiesandeventsbyregisteringwithour officeandwewillkeepyouuptodatewithopportunities.

• JoinusonFacebookandTwitterandkeepuptodatewithourlatestnews.

Pay by phone: 1300 366 191 Fax to: (08) 8340 2506 Email: NatureFounationSA@nfsa.org.au

Pay by EFT: BSB:105900 Name: Nature Foundation SA Inc. Acc No: 963747240 Description: NFSA Membership (add in name)

WerecommendthatyouemailNFSAatnaturefoundationsa@nfsa.org.autoadviseoftheEFTtransaction

Download a Membership / NatureDollars form from our website. www.naturefoundation.org.au

HELPUSTOSAVE, PROTECT AND RESTORE

Mail membership Individual$30Clubs/Organisations$40Couple$50Family$60

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Para Woodlands Planting Festival

Kalbeeba, South-East of Gawler Friday 21st june, 10am-3pm

Comealongandhelpplantover10,000treesandnativegrassestore-establishnativevegetationandprovidevaluablehabitatfordecliningwoodlandbirds.

Kangaroo Island Planting Festival

Layne’s Property, KIFriday 5th, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th july

Volunteersareneededtohelprestore25hectaresofhabitatforsomeofkangarooIsland’srarestplantlife.Over100specieswillbeplanted,manyofwhicharefoundonlyonkangarooIsland.

Witchelina Grand Working Bee

680km North of Adelaide Thursday 1st – Monday 5th August

OursecondGrandWorkingBeewhichincludesatourofthisuniquearidlandsystem.EveryonewillparticipateinahostofconservationandmaintenanceprojectsorganisedbyNFSA.

Walk for Nature

Heysen Trail - Walks ranging from 3km to 12km return Sunday, 20th october, 9am – 2pm

RegisternowforourthirdannualWalkforNatureintheMountLoftyRangesandhelpraisefundsforNatureFoundationSA.

Hiltaba Flora Survey

650km North-West of Adelaide Sunday 25th August – Saturday 7th September

VolunteerswillbeinvolvedwithabaselinestudytofindoutwhatfloraispresentatHiltaba.

NFSA – Annual General Meeting

Thursday 24th october, 5:30pm Meet at Hindmarsh

EnjoythedelightfulambianceofZoosSAinanintimatesettingamongstoursupportersandguests.Youwillbeservedathreecoursemeal,champagne,wineandwillbeprovidedwithaguidedtour.(Optional)$89perperson(Limitedto100people)

ForfurtherinformationandbookingspleasecontactNatureFoundationSA’sofficeon1300366191.

Tiliqua Lizard Crawl

10km North-West of Burra Saturday 7th September 11am – 4pm

OursecondannualTiliquaLizardCrawlnearBurratomonitortheburrowdensityatourreserveoftheendangeredPygmyBluetongue.

Nature Foundation SA Christmas Dinner Fig Tree Function Centre Saturday 23rd November, 6.30pm - 10pm

CALENDAR 2013