Eurardy Reserve is located approximately 570 kilometres north of Perth and extends across more than 30,000 hectares of Nanda country. Formerly a pastoral station, Eurardy was purchased by Bush Heritage Australia in 2005 with the aim of protecting biodiversity and revegetating cleared areas. Eurardy is located in one of only 36 global biodiversity hotspots and is home to more than 500 native plant species, including five nationally endangered or vulnerable species. The Reserve forms a crucial ecological link between Kalbarri National Park and Toolong Nature Reserve.
We are working in partnership with Bush Heritage Australia to restore 1,350 hectares of cleared land with a mix of native trees and shrubs. Decades of extensive grazing have changed the landscape, and entire ecosystems have been modified. The aim of this project is to restore vegetation and protect the land from further degradation and habitat loss.
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In collaboration with Bush Heritage Australia and APACE we hand-planted a further 88,000 seedlings. The bulk of the seedlings were used to infill sections of the sandplain area, addressing low survival rates resulting from the severe drought in 2023. We also began reintroducing native sandalwood to a 16-hectare fenced plot with a biodiverse mix of seedlings and sandalwood nuts. Additionally, 2,500 seedlings were planted to improve a patchy area in the 2021 red soils planting.
Monitoring
April 2024
Results from the Red soils area showed excellent growth with a 35% increase in the average tree height. Results from the 2023 sandplain area were mixed, with seedlings lost to drought stress following a 25-year record dry season. The herbivore exclusion fencing proved highly effective, with survival rates within these areas more than 15 times higher than in the non-fenced areas. Next winter, we plan to infill parts of the sandplain area and establish a native sandalwood trial.
Monitoring
August 2023
The team returned to monitor progress of the 2021 planting area. The average tree height had increased by more than 24% from the previous year, with the tallest tree measured reaching an impressive 1.9m.
PLANTING (YEAR 5)
Winter 2022
Over a six-week period, the team (CPOZ, APACE WA, Rural Lifestyle Solutions and Ben Lake) planted more than 227,000 seedlings across the sandplain area of the Reserve. The seedling mix included a total of 43 different native species, all grown from seed collected at Eurardy. Rabbit-proof fencing was established around the planting area to exclude herbivores and give the seedlings the greatest chance of survival.
MONITORING
October 2022
The CPOZ team were on site for the annual monitoring assessment, measuring a total of 35 plots across the revegetation area. The 2020 area showed the greatest progress, with an average survival rate of 78% and an average height of 1.81m. The tallest tree measured was in the 2019 area – a 4.3m Eucalyptus loxophleba (‘York gum’). Relatively heavy weed cover and herbivore damage was observed in both the 2021 and 2022 areas.
SEED COLLECTION
October 2022
The team from APACE WA spent a week on-site collecting seed for the upcoming planting year. Key species included Lamarchea hakeifolia, Calothamnus chrysanthereus and Phymatocarpus porphyrochephalus. Seed-laden branches were collected from across the reserve. Once dry, the seed was processed using a series of fine sieves to remove leaves, stems and other debris, then taken to the nursery for seedling grow-out.
Planting (year 4)
June 2022
Led by Dr Geoff Woodall, the team used a combination of machine and hand-planting techniques to plant more than 46,000 seedlings. The seedling mix included 26 different native species such as Lamarchea hakeifolia, Melaleuca eleuterostachya, and Calothmnus chrysanthereus. The seedlings were used to infill patchy areas of last year’s planting, as well as undertake a 27-hectare trial on the yellow sandplain area of the reserve.
Monitoring
March 2022
Project Manager, Dr Geoff Woodall, visited the site in early Autumn to check on progress. Having outgrown the weeds, seedling establishment in the 2019 and 2020 planting areas was impressive. Although the emus had caused some damage, the 2021 planting area exceeded expectations, with Acacia, Hakea, and Eucalyptus species establishing well.
Site visit & Monitoring
Spring 2021
Louise (CPOZ) visited the site in September 2021 to check in on progress and touch base with contractors and planting partners. The team observed excellent seedling establishment and growth across the site; the trees had clearly benefitted from the high winter rainfall.
Planting (Year 3)
July 2021
An additional 220 hectares was planted at Eurardy during the winter of 2021, bringing the total planted area up to 617 hectares. Approximately 128,000 seedlings were hand-planted across the new area, representing a total of 20 different species.
Autumn monitoring
April 2021
Following the hotter-than-average summer, results from the fourth monitoring assessment showed a decrease in average stem density across all plots. Overall, an average of 298 trees per hectare was calculated for the 2019 planting area and 517 trees per hectare for the 2020 area. Browsing from herbivores was evident across the site, with a particular fondness for Acacia species noted.
Spring monitoring
November 2020
A third monitoring assessment was conducted in November 2020. Although there was some evidence of pest damage (trampling from kangaroos and emus), results showed high seedling establishment and an overall survival rate of approximately 97%. Average density was calculated to be 417 trees per hectare for the 2019 planting area and 597 trees per hectare for the 2020 planting area.
Planting (Year 2)
July 2020
An additional 205 hectares was planted at Eurardy during the winter of 2020. More than 123,000 seedlings were planted across this new area with 15 native species in the mix. Infill planting was conducted across the 2019 area with almost 62,000 seedlings planted to bulk up the original planting. The seedling mix consisted predominantly of Acacia and Eucalyptus species, adding to the site’s biodiversity.
Autumn Monitoring
March 2020
A second monitoring assessment was undertaken in March 2020. Results indicated mortality of approximatley 22% since the previous monitoring assessment. These results were not unexpected given the harsh conditions over the summer months. The remaining seedlings showed signs of new growth, illustrating the trees’ ability to put energy and resources into new shoots.
Spring Monitoring
October 2019
A few months after planting, the first official monitoring assessment was undertaken by Tina Parkhurst from Bush Heritage Australia. Twelve permanent monitoring plots were established across the project site. Results showed high seedling establishment and approximately 98% survival. Positive root establishment and moisture levels were noted.
Planting (YEAR 1)
June 2019
Planting at Eurardy began in June 2019. More than 36,000 seedlings were hand-planted across the prepared area by the E-Scapes Environmental team. The species mix consisted primarily of Eucalyptus and Melaleuca species, both of which play a crucial role in preventing and mitigating soil erosion and salinity.
Site preparation
May 2019
The site was prepared for planting by the team at E-Scapes Environmental. A total of 192 hectares was ripped with wide scalp lines in a meandering fashion. This design was chosen to mimic natural planting configurations, provide weed control and maximise water harvesting.
Site assessment & Seed collection
2018 – 2019
An initial site assessment was carried out by Dr Geoff Woodall in 2018. Soil analysis found the area to consist typically of fertile red loamy soils over clay and calcrete. The final restoration plan was developed in 2019. During spring, native seeds were collected from the area, including key Eucalyptus and Melaleuca species. The seeds were collected by hand and taken to the nursery to be grown into seedlings.
What we planted
Acacia
10 species wattle short lifespan nitrogen-fixing​
Allocasuarina
2 species nitrogen-fixing​ hardwood tree frost-tolerant
Banksia
5 species fire tolerant food source for birds hardy shrub/tree
Eucalyptus
12 species fast maturing tree utilised for canopy cover high survivability in nutrient-poor soils
Hakea
2 species hardy shrub excellent habitat for birds fire-adapted (germination)
Melaleuca
11 species tree and shrub form food source for native fauna fire-adapted
Sandalwood
1 species hemiparasitic aromatic timber medicinal properties
Other
23 species native to area increase biodiversity understorey and canopy cover
Project gallery
Entrance to Eurardy Reserve.
Eurardy Reserve planting area (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Soil sampling during site assessment.
Eurardy site prior to site preparation.
Lines ripped ready for planting.
Lines ripped ready for planting (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Ben Parkhurst from Bush Heritage Australia and his son Liam using a pottiputki planting tool to plant seedlings (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Eucalyptus, Melaleuca and Lamarchea seedlings ready for planting (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Eurardy planting site showing wide, meandering scalp lines (Photo: Ken Lawson).
E-Scapes Environmental team during 2019 planting (Photo: Ken Lawson).
E-Scapes Environmental team member planting seedings using a pottiputki tool (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Tina and Ben Parkhurst from Bush Heritage Australia with their son Liam (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Tina Parkhurst planting a seedling (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Eucalyptus seedling ready to be planted (Photo: Ken Lawson).
E-Scapes team during 2019 planting (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Eucalyptus and Melaleuca seedlings being prepared for planting (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Planting rows at Eurardy (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Drone photo of E-Scapes Environmental planting team in progress (Photo: Ken Lawson).
A healthy Eucalyptus seedling approx. 9 months after planting (Photo: Tina Parkhurst).
A healthy Acacia seedling spotted during 2020 monitoring (Photo: Tina Parkhurst).
A Eucalyptus seedling growing well approx. 9 months after planting (Photo: Tina Parkhurst).
A juvenile Eucalyptus showing signs of pest damage (Photo: Tina Parkhurst).
View down one of the planting rows during 2020 monitoring (Photo: Tina Parkhurst).
A healthy Eucalyptus approx. 9 months after planting (Photo: Tina Parkhurst).
Lines ripped for planting (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Emus gathered near the Eurardy planting site (Photo: Ken Lawson).
E-Scapes Environmental team member using a using a pottiputki device to plant seedlings (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Kidney bucket full of seedlings ready for planting (Photo: Ken Lawson).
E-Scapes Environmental team member using a using a pottiputki device to plant seedlings (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Close up of a Eucalyptus seedling (Photo: Ken Lawson).
A young Eucalyptus during monitoring in April 2021 (Photo: Tina Parkhurst).
Tina Parkhurst (Bush Heritage Australia) and Dr. Geoff Woodall during a site visit in September 2021.
A young Eucalyptus seedling in the 2021 planting area.
Part of the 2019 planting area showing fantastic growth.
A well-established Eucalyptus loxophleba (‘York gum’). (Photo: Tina Parkhurst).
Part of the 2019 planting area.
E-Scapes Environmental team member at the start of one of the rows planted in July 2021.
Part of the additional 220 hectares planted in 2021.
Part of the additional 220 hectares planted in 2021.
Dr Geoff Woodall alongside a thriving Eucalyptus seedling in the 2021 planting area.
Successful seedling establishment in the 2021 planting area.
Central Netted Dragon (Ctenophorus nuchalis) spotted on site.
Ches (CPOZ) walking between two rows in the 2020 planting area.
Curved rows in the 2020 planting area.
Hairy leaves of a Eucalyptus gittinsii (‘Northern Sandplain Mallee’).
A juvenile Lamarachea hakeifolia shrub.
Sam Fischer (Reserve Manager, BHA), Dr Geoff Woodall, and Ches (CPOZ) looking out across remnant bushland.
Part of the 2019 planting area glistening in the late afternoon sun.
Close up of a Melaleuca eleuterostachya.
A thriving Eucalyptus tree in the 2020 planting area.
The fleshy leaves of a healthy Melaleuca hollidayi.
Torrie (CPOZ) standing next to a Eucalyptus tree.
Acacia saligna (‘Coojong’) seedling planted in winter 2022.
Planting rows on the red soil area of Eurardy.
Flowering Acacia species.
Jess (CPOZ) with a large Acacia rostellifera (‘Summer-scented wattle’) shrub.
Lamarchea hakeifolia seedling showing great growth.
Planting rows curving in the distance.
Eucalyptus species.
Large Acacia rostellifera (‘Summer-scented wattle’) shrubs amongst Eucalyptus and other species.
The on-site nursery.
Some of the 46,000+ seedlings ready to be planted. Species pictured include Lamarchea hakeifolia, Eucalyptus gittinsii, Acacia saligna and Acacia acuminata.
Seedlings packed on the trailer ready to be transported to the planting site.
Louise (CPOZ CEO) and the team hand-planting part of the yellow sandplain trial area.
Jess (CPOZ) and the team at the yellow sandplain planting area.
Ebony (CPOZ) filling up her planting bucket with seedlings from the trailer.
Ebony (CPOZ) watering the seedlings to prevent them from drying out in the warm conditions.
Sam (Bush Heritage Australia) and Dr Geoff Woodall inspecting the rows in the red soils planting area.
Sunset over the planting rows in the red soils area.
Jess (CPOZ) holding up a Eucalyptus seedling.
Ripped lines for infill planting on the red soil area.
Bilbo (CPOZ) and Louise (CPOZ) ready to begin hand-planting on the yellow soil area.
Sunset over the yellow soil planting area.
Ros MacFarlane and Louise (CPOZ) filling up their planting buckets.
Calothamnus and Lamarchea seedlings.
APACE WA team member collecting Calothamnus seed.
2022 seed collection.
2022 seed collection.
2023 Planting team.
The planting tractor moving along the 2023 planting rows.
Rainbow over the 2023 planting area.
Jess (CPOZ) holding seedlings trays.
The 2023 on-site nursery.
Chris (Rural Lifestyle Solutions) admiring a 57,579 seedling delivery from Plantrite.
Flowering Grevilia seedling.
Ros (Sandalwood Solutions) watering the seedlings in the on-site nursery with Jess (CPOZ).
Little Acacia blakelyi seedlings freshly planted in the planting row.
Measuring the height of a Eucalyptus tree in the monitoring plot.
Liv (CPOZ) measuring the height of a Lamarchea hakeifolia.
Impressive Eucalyptus tree growing in a monitoring plot.
Liv (CPOZ) walking through a planting area during sunset.
Flowering Acacia species.
Measuring the height of a Lamarchea hakeifolia.
Part of the 2020 planting area at Eurardy Reserve.
Part of the 2020 planting area in 2023.
Newly ripped planting rows in 2024 between planting rows between 2023.
View over the 2024 planting team in the sandplain area.
View over the 2024 planting team in the sandalwood area.
Emily and Nat (APACE) organising the on-site nursery and watering the seedlings.
Ben (BHA) preparing to unload the seedling delivery.
The 2024 nursery team filling up seedling boxes.
The 2024 planting team loading up their seedling buckets.
Part of the 2024 sandalwood planting area.
Entrance to Eurardy Reserve.
Eurardy Reserve planting area (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Soil sampling during site assessment.
Eurardy site prior to site preparation.
Lines ripped ready for planting.
Lines ripped ready for planting (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Ben Parkhurst from Bush Heritage Australia and his son Liam using a pottiputki planting tool to plant seedlings (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Eucalyptus, Melaleuca and Lamarchea seedlings ready for planting (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Eurardy planting site showing wide, meandering scalp lines (Photo: Ken Lawson).
E-Scapes Environmental team during 2019 planting (Photo: Ken Lawson).
E-Scapes Environmental team member planting seedings using a pottiputki tool (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Tina and Ben Parkhurst from Bush Heritage Australia with their son Liam (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Tina Parkhurst planting a seedling (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Eucalyptus seedling ready to be planted (Photo: Ken Lawson).
E-Scapes team during 2019 planting (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Eucalyptus and Melaleuca seedlings being prepared for planting (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Planting rows at Eurardy (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Drone photo of E-Scapes Environmental planting team in progress (Photo: Ken Lawson).
A healthy Eucalyptus seedling approx. 9 months after planting (Photo: Tina Parkhurst).
A healthy Acacia seedling spotted during 2020 monitoring (Photo: Tina Parkhurst).
A Eucalyptus seedling growing well approx. 9 months after planting (Photo: Tina Parkhurst).
A juvenile Eucalyptus showing signs of pest damage (Photo: Tina Parkhurst).
View down one of the planting rows during 2020 monitoring (Photo: Tina Parkhurst).
A healthy Eucalyptus approx. 9 months after planting (Photo: Tina Parkhurst).
Lines ripped for planting (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Emus gathered near the Eurardy planting site (Photo: Ken Lawson).
E-Scapes Environmental team member using a using a pottiputki device to plant seedlings (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Kidney bucket full of seedlings ready for planting (Photo: Ken Lawson).
E-Scapes Environmental team member using a using a pottiputki device to plant seedlings (Photo: Ken Lawson).
Close up of a Eucalyptus seedling (Photo: Ken Lawson).
A young Eucalyptus during monitoring in April 2021 (Photo: Tina Parkhurst).
Tina Parkhurst (Bush Heritage Australia) and Dr. Geoff Woodall during a site visit in September 2021.
A young Eucalyptus seedling in the 2021 planting area.
Part of the 2019 planting area showing fantastic growth.
A well-established Eucalyptus loxophleba (‘York gum’). (Photo: Tina Parkhurst).
Part of the 2019 planting area.
E-Scapes Environmental team member at the start of one of the rows planted in July 2021.
Part of the additional 220 hectares planted in 2021.
Part of the additional 220 hectares planted in 2021.
Dr Geoff Woodall alongside a thriving Eucalyptus seedling in the 2021 planting area.
Successful seedling establishment in the 2021 planting area.
Central Netted Dragon (Ctenophorus nuchalis) spotted on site.
Ches (CPOZ) walking between two rows in the 2020 planting area.
Curved rows in the 2020 planting area.
Hairy leaves of a Eucalyptus gittinsii (‘Northern Sandplain Mallee’).
A juvenile Lamarachea hakeifolia shrub.
Sam Fischer (Reserve Manager, BHA), Dr Geoff Woodall, and Ches (CPOZ) looking out across remnant bushland.
Part of the 2019 planting area glistening in the late afternoon sun.
Close up of a Melaleuca eleuterostachya.
A thriving Eucalyptus tree in the 2020 planting area.
The fleshy leaves of a healthy Melaleuca hollidayi.
Torrie (CPOZ) standing next to a Eucalyptus tree.
Acacia saligna (‘Coojong’) seedling planted in winter 2022.
Planting rows on the red soil area of Eurardy.
Flowering Acacia species.
Jess (CPOZ) with a large Acacia rostellifera (‘Summer-scented wattle’) shrub.
Lamarchea hakeifolia seedling showing great growth.
Planting rows curving in the distance.
Eucalyptus species.
Large Acacia rostellifera (‘Summer-scented wattle’) shrubs amongst Eucalyptus and other species.
The on-site nursery.
Some of the 46,000+ seedlings ready to be planted. Species pictured include Lamarchea hakeifolia, Eucalyptus gittinsii, Acacia saligna and Acacia acuminata.
Seedlings packed on the trailer ready to be transported to the planting site.
Louise (CPOZ CEO) and the team hand-planting part of the yellow sandplain trial area.
Jess (CPOZ) and the team at the yellow sandplain planting area.
Ebony (CPOZ) filling up her planting bucket with seedlings from the trailer.
Ebony (CPOZ) watering the seedlings to prevent them from drying out in the warm conditions.
Sam (Bush Heritage Australia) and Dr Geoff Woodall inspecting the rows in the red soils planting area.
Sunset over the planting rows in the red soils area.
Jess (CPOZ) holding up a Eucalyptus seedling.
Ripped lines for infill planting on the red soil area.
Bilbo (CPOZ) and Louise (CPOZ) ready to begin hand-planting on the yellow soil area.
Sunset over the yellow soil planting area.
Ros MacFarlane and Louise (CPOZ) filling up their planting buckets.
Calothamnus and Lamarchea seedlings.
APACE WA team member collecting Calothamnus seed.
2022 seed collection.
2022 seed collection.
2023 Planting team.
The planting tractor moving along the 2023 planting rows.
Rainbow over the 2023 planting area.
Jess (CPOZ) holding seedlings trays.
The 2023 on-site nursery.
Chris (Rural Lifestyle Solutions) admiring a 57,579 seedling delivery from Plantrite.
Flowering Grevilia seedling.
Ros (Sandalwood Solutions) watering the seedlings in the on-site nursery with Jess (CPOZ).
Little Acacia blakelyi seedlings freshly planted in the planting row.
Measuring the height of a Eucalyptus tree in the monitoring plot.
Liv (CPOZ) measuring the height of a Lamarchea hakeifolia.
Impressive Eucalyptus tree growing in a monitoring plot.
Liv (CPOZ) walking through a planting area during sunset.
Flowering Acacia species.
Measuring the height of a Lamarchea hakeifolia.
Part of the 2020 planting area at Eurardy Reserve.
Part of the 2020 planting area in 2023.
Newly ripped planting rows in 2024 between planting rows between 2023.
View over the 2024 planting team in the sandplain area.
View over the 2024 planting team in the sandalwood area.
Emily and Nat (APACE) organising the on-site nursery and watering the seedlings.
Ben (BHA) preparing to unload the seedling delivery.
The 2024 nursery team filling up seedling boxes.
The 2024 planting team loading up their seedling buckets.