Located in a medium to high-value koala habitat, this northern NSW property was previously used to graze Dexter cattle and has been extensively cleared. This 33-hectare ecological restoration project will provide a wildlife corridor, linking up remnant bushland between two national parks. Our aim is to restore the site to a thriving forest, increasing habitat for a range of endangered species (including koalas), improving biodiversity, and encouraging further natural regeneration.
One of the challenges of this site is the shoulder-high Setaria (a thick, tufted, African pasture grass) that covers much of the planting area. This grass is very hard to plant into and slashing is difficult due to steep slopes and hidden rocks.
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Your donation contributes directly to the planting of more trees.
Sam (Future Forests) and Jason Rawnsley (Wanganui Green) headed out to site for the third-year monitoring assessment. The findings showed an average tree density of 2,142 live trees per hectare, a 16% decrease from the previous assessment. This decline is expected, as trees naturally compete for resources. The average height increased by an impressive 94%, from 1.14m to 2.20m. Species diversity was excellent, with an average of 24 species per plot.
Monitoring
October 2023
Pollyanna (CPOZ) and Sam (Future Forests) completed the second-year monitoring assessment, measuring 10 plots across the site. Results showed a high average survival rate of 97% (excluding natural regeneration). The average tree height increased by 115%, from 0.53m to 1.14m.
Monitoring
December 2022
Pollyanna (CPOZ) and Sam (Future Forests) conducted the first comprehensive monitoring assessment at Nimbin in December. Conditions varied between plots but overall growth was great and the average density was 2,805 trees/hectare. There was also evidence of naturally regenerating trees across some plots which indicates that previous bush regeneration work had been successful.
Planting
May 2022
Planting was originally scheduled to begin in early March, however, the Nimbin region, like much of NSW and QLD, experienced significant flooding. Although all of the mulch was destroyed, the seedlings miraculously survived. After further repair of the creek crossing, planting commenced in May. Over a four-week period, the Future Forests team hand-planted more than 69,000 native seedlings across the property.
Planting Prep
February 2022
Site preparation is an integral part of the planting process and can have a significant impact on seedlings’ survival and establishment rates. During February, the team from Future Forests slashed the shoulder-high Setaria grass in preparation for planting. This process reduces the likelihood of seedlings being smothered as they try to establish their root systems.
Bush regeneration
October 2021
Bush regeneration work began in October across a 6-hectare area, including a regenerating hoop pine forest and riparian zone along Webster’s Creek. The team from Future Forests treated and removed fast-growing, non-native, invasive species such as camphor laurel, lantana, and privet. These (and other non-native) species compete with and displace native vegetation, produce huge amounts of bird-carried seed, infest riparian zones, and can take over large areas.
Creek remediation
September 2021
The site is located in a high rainfall area, averaging more than 1,150mm each year. Flooding in 2020 had washed away two key creek crossings that were to provide vehicle access to the planting and regeneration areas. These crossings were repaired by a local contractor to ensure access for planting in Feb/March 2022.
Site assessment
July 2021
Our planting contractor, Sam (Future Forests), undertook a full site assessment to determine soil structure, rainfall, and vegetation (including weed species and site challenges), in order to develop a planting methodology and establishment plan. The site’s topography is very steep in parts, making planting a challenge. A mixture of natural bush regeneration and planting was proposed.
Initial site visit
June 2021
Pollyanna (CPOZ) met with the landholder and planting contractor to discuss the site and the desired restoration outcomes. The landholder was keen to see the native forest restored and connected with remnant bush and riparian zones to increase habitat and connectivity for wildlife, including koalas. Native hoop pine forest was regenerating naturally in some areas near the creek, however large areas of open pasture were identified for potential planting.
What we planted
Acacia
5 species fast-growing short lifespan nitrogen fixing
Casuarina
2 species salt and drought tolerant attracts native birds nitrogen converter
Eucalyptus
5 species high survivability in nutrient-poor soils fast maturing tree utilised for canopy cover
Other
92 species all native to the area ground and canopy cover habitat for native fauna
Project gallery
Remnant vegetation in the middle of the property which will form part of the high density planting area.
A koala spotted near the front gate of the property.
Existing regenerated Hoop pine forest.
View from the highest point on the property.
Webster’s Creek which runs along the western edge of the property.
Part of the site which was previously used for grazing.
One of the damaged creek crossings limiting access across the site.
Part of the site which was previously cleared for grazing.
Remnant bush on the property where koalas are regularly spotted.
One of the exposed creek crossings limiting access to site.
Excavator used for creek remediation.
Creek crossed fixed and ready for use.
Bush regeneration underway during October 2021.
Part of the 6ha area allocated to bush regeneration.
Future Forests team member removing invasive weeds such as camphor laurel and privet as part of bush regeneration.
Seedlings ready for planting at the on-site nursery.
Contractors from Future Forests working in the on-site nursery area.
Sam from Future Forests loading seedlings into the ATV (an all-terrain vehicle necessary to get around the wet, slippery site).
Planted seedling with speckling of non-toxic Sentree wallaby deterrent.
Planters from Future Forests working in the west side planting area.
Seedling in the rear planting area.
Planting area showing Mt Wollumbin in the distance.
Very muddy creek crossing due to flooding which created difficult access to planting areas across the site.
Sam from Future Forests pointing to ironbark trees in the bush regeneration area.
Seedling with jute matting to suppress Setaria grass.
Landslips caused by catastrophic flooding in March 2022.
Seedling planted in the rear site area.
Sam measuring a seedling with incredible growth at one of the plots.