Projects
The Muir-Byenup system is a Ramsar-listed wetland of international significance located south east of Manjimup and consists of approximately 10,630 hectares of unique wetlands, swamps and lakes with associated wet heaths, sedgelands, and eucalypt forests. It has a rich flora with 649 indigenous flora taxa having been identified, which includes three rare wetland-dependent orchids. The wetlands are also home to a number of threatened fauna species, and they are used as a drought refuge for waterbirds and regularly support large numbers of migratory birds.
Current Caring for our Country targets, which we have funding available for work at these Ramsar wetlands, include pest animal control and weed control. Our staff are working with State Government departments such as the Department of Agriculture & Food (DAFWA) and the Department of Environment & Conservation (DEC) as well as with surrounding landholders to do on-ground works to address these targets. We are currently funding a weed control project with a local landholder doing works on four properties in the area to control the highly invasive Cape Tulip, Paterson’s Curse and Bridal Creeper (which is a Weed of National Significance). We have also funded DEC to undertake Bulrush (Typha orientalis) control on DEC reserves found within the Muir-Byenup Ramsar wetlands which are impacting upon the edges of the wetlands, and competing with native vegetation.
To meet the pest animal control target, we’re currently funding two projects in the area. One is to control foxes on private properties surrounding the Ramsar wetlands to protect an area of 400 hectares. Foxes are increasing in number in the area and can have significant impacts on wildlife within the Ramsar wetlands due to predation. SWCC is also undertaking a survey to establish distribution and abundance data of feral deer which live in the area and appear to be increasing in number. Once this information has been collected, our team will work with DAFWA staff to establish an appropriate deer control project to reduce the number of deer within the area.
Funding is still available to surrounding landholders to undertake weed control. Click here to find out more.
265 ha
Total area targeted for animal control250 ha
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