This project is located near Rocky Gully in the Great Southern region of Western Australia and forms an important component of the Gondwana Link Project. The 50-hectare property was purchased by Green Skills, a local not-for-profit organisation, in 2020, with the aim to restore native habitat and provide a strategic link between the Tootanellup Nature Reserve and a Water and Rivers Commission Reserve. We have been working closely with Green Skills and Dr Geoff Woodall to restore native vegetation to 25 hectares of the property.
In 2021 the site was planted with a biodiverse species mix designed to replicate the surrounding marri woodland. Marri (Corymbia calophylla) is not only a high carbon species but provides an important food source for birds, including the endangered Carnaby’s cockatoo. In total, 79 different species were planted, including Corymbia calophylla (Marri) and several Acacias, Banksias, Hakeas, Melaleucas, and Xanthorrheas. Small mammal nesting boxes have been installed across the property to provide shelter while that habitat regenerates.
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Your donation contributes directly to the planting of more trees.
The team from Green Skills and the Gnowangerup Aboriginal Corporation Rangers hand-planted 3,200 native seedlings and 350 Macrozamia seeds to add density and biodiversity to specific areas of the site. The seedling mix included Banksia, Eucalyptus, and Melaleuca species. Swamp banksias (Banksia littoralis) were planted in the upper wetland area to improve the overall ecological value of the project.
Monitoring
March 2024
Liv (CPOZ) and Emily (APACE) completed the third-year monitoring assessment. The results showed an average density of 1,329 seedlings per hectare. The average tree height was 1.06m, an increase of 104% since last year‘s monitoring assessment. The tallest tree measured was a Marri (Corymbia calophylla) at 3.2 meters tall.
Monitoring
May 2023
The CPOZ team returned in May to complete a second-year monitoring assessment. The results indicated a high average survival rate of 84% and an average density of 1,696 seedlings/hectare. The tallest tree was a Marri (Corymbia calophylla) at 1.7 metres.
Infill planting
August 2022
During winter, further planting was carried out by Green Skills, the Tambellup Rangers, Dr Geoff Woodall, and the CPOZ team. A combination of direct seeding and hand-planted seedlings was used to infill patchy areas across the site, as well as areas that were previously too wet to plant. In total, 5.7 kg of native seed and 8,920 seedlings from 23 unique species were planted.
Monitoring
April 2022
In early April, the CPOZ team established fourteen permanent monitoring plots across the planting site. These plots will be assessed regularly to track the growth and overall health of the site. Although there was some loss over the summer months, approximately 60,000 seedlings have established and are growing quickly – the tallest seedlings measured was an 80 centimetre Corymbia calophylla (‘Marri’)!
Site visit
December 2021
CPOZ team members Jess, Cath & Alice, joined Dr Geoff Woodall on site to check in on progress. Initial monitoring indicated an extremely high seed germination rate (approx. 13,000 seedlings per hectare). This density is expected to decrease significantly over the coming months as the seedlings weather their first summer.
Planting
July 2021
Towards the end of a very wet winter, Dr Geoff Woodall and the Green Skills team planted almost 15 kilograms of native seed across the site. A mechanical seeder was towed behind a tractor, with seeds being planted in the loosened soil of the pre-ripped lines. This process proved challenging, with the tractor getting bogged multiple times throughout the week!
Site preparation
April-July 2021
To prepare for planting, pest control was undertaken and lines were mechanically ripped across the site. Ripping loosens the topsoil, making it easier for seedling roots to penetrate and plants to survive. The ripping process also increases water retention which is critical for seed germination and survival in the early years.
Fauna Shelter
May 2021
Alongside the team from Green Skills, the Mt Barker & Nowanup Noongar Rangers installed 11 nesting boxes in the remnant bush around the planting site. These boxes will provide shelter for native fauna as the new trees grow. Six of the boxes were installed in trees for Brush-Tailed Phascogales. The remaining five boxes were placed closer to ground level for Mardo (Yellow-footed antechinus).
Site Assessment & Planning
November 2020
The initial site assessment, planning, and species selection was conducted by WA reforestation expert, Dr Geoff Woodall. The species mix was designed to replicate the remnant woodland surrounding the site, provide habitat for native fauna, and sequester carbon. A total of 79 native species, including Corymbia calophylla (‘Marri’) and several Eucalyptus, Hakeas, and Melaleucas, were selected, and seed orders were placed with local seed providers.
What we planted
Acacia
10 species small tree nitrogen-fixing pioneer species
Allocasuarina
1 species nitrogen-fixing​ hardwood tree frost-tolerant
Banksia
4 species fire-adapted hardy plant shrub/tree form
Casuarina
1 species salt and drought tolerant attracts native birds nitrogen converter
Eucalyptus
4 species high survivability in nutrient-poor soils fast maturing tree utilised for canopy cover
Hakea
6 species endemic to Australia fire-adapted hardy shrub
Melaleuca
10 species endemic to Australia fire-adapted hardy shrub
Other
43 species all native to the area ground & canopy cover habitat for native fauna
Project gallery
Site assessment and planning (Photo: Basil Schur).
Dr Geoff Woodall and Basil Schur (Green Skills) during initial site assessment.
Mt Barker Noongar Rangers installing fauna habitats in the remnant bushland surround the project site (Photo: Basil Schur).
