Tootanellup, WA

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 Xanthorrhoeas. Small mammal nesting boxes have been installed across the property to provide shelter while the habitat regenerates. 

Further planting was carried out in winter 2022 to infill patchy areas across the site, as well as areas which were previously too wet to plant. Over 5 kg of native seed and 8,900 seedlings were planted using a combination of machine and hand-planting with help from the Tambellup Rangers (Noongar Land Aboriginal Corporation). You can watch a short video about the project here.