Project Update: Grassy Woodlands Revisited

Corowa District Landcare secured funding from Murray Local Land Services to re-visit sites that were part of the Grassy Woodlands Project.

The Grassy Woodlands Project was funded through Murray Local Land Services from 2019 to 2023 and was collaborative with West Hume Landcare and Holbrook Landcare Network. The project provided revegetation, infrastructure services and support to landholders to actively manage native vegetation on their properties, focusing on improving connectivity, corridors and links with remnant native vegetation.

Corowa District Landcare re-visited 36 sites, located from Urana to the north, Corowa in the south, Mulwala to the west and Balldale in the east. As part of this project 236 ha was either revegetated or enhanced.

A predominantly Cyprus Pine site of 26.7 ha. As part of the Grassy Woodlands Project, the existing fence, that was over 60 years old and is no longer stock proof, was replaced to keep stock out and allow for regeneration.

As part of these site visits, assessments included: success of revegetation/direct seeding, mix of species growing, plant health, and natural regeneration. Landholders also provided their thoughts on the project.

Tubestock planting was undertaken at fifteen sites, with over 9,500 seedlings planted. Tubestock planting had an overall mean success of 61%, and a median of 75%. Tubestock plantings generally had a much higher rate of success when compared to direct seeding. However, it must be noted that there is a much higher investment both in terms of initial cost and labour in tubestock planting.

Tubestock that were guarded were a useful visual reminder of the activity that has taken place. It’s hard to see young seedlings that have not been guarded. The guards also provided protection against grazing pest animals, e.g. rabbits and hares.

There was a large range in success in the direct seeding. Direct seeding was undertaken at eighteen sites, with over 130 km completed. The overall success of direct seeding sites had a mean of 43% and a median of 63%. When direct seeding works, the establishment rates are excellent. However, within our Grassy Woodland Project sites there have been some instances of no germination found (6 sites or a third of the direct seeded sites).

The main reason landholders participated in the Grassy Woodlands Project were:

Enhancing existing areas

Connect previous plantings

Habitat restoration

Ecological services to our farm

Compliments our farm plan

Aesthetic appeal

Regeneration of local flora and fauna species

Several landholders commented on the loss of isolated paddock trees each autumn with stubble burns.

Landholders thought the best benefits/advantages of being part of the project were the financial assistance that empowered them to undertake revegetation, and the assistance from experts in terms of species selection and site design.

This project provided a fantastic opportunity to return to sites and evaluate the success of our revegetation efforts; looking back at planting success does not happen all that often.