Projects
The Lower Blackwood High Conservation Value Aquatic Ecosystem (HCVAE) is a nationally recognised aquatic ecosystem which incorporates the lower reaches of the Blackwood River and tributaries.
A biological hotspot, the HCVAE is recognised for its unique aquatic ecosystems (swamplands, permanent freshwater rivers and streams) which support a diverse number of plant and animal communities, including a large number of threatened species such as the white and orange bellied frog, Balston’s pgymy perch and a critically endangered sedge species, Reedia spathacea.
The system is also fundamentally important to the lifestyle and economy of the approximately 30,000 people living in this area with main industries including agriculture, horticulture, forestry and tourism.
We have funded a number of projects and partnerships in 2009-11 to reduce critical threats to threatened species within the HCVAE, specifically feral pigs, stock and weeds.
Through partnerships with Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and the community based, Nannup Feral Pig Action Group, we have been able to effectively reduce pig numbers across multiple land tenures within the HCVAE through pig trapping and eradication.
And in addition, DEC have conducted feral pig bait trials to determine success and secondary target uptake of the new 1080 Pig Out® baits and identified more effective baits to attract feral pigs to traps.
Initial remote sensing trials are also underway to establish heat signature/s for feral pigs, enabling more effective locating of feral pig populations, using remote sensing equipment and aerial aircraft.
In coming months, in partnership with DEC, we will work with landholders to implement a weed control and fencing repair program to protect the critical habitat for the White-bellied frog (Geocrinia alba) from stock movement and weed encroachment.
53,200 ha
Total area of weed control & fencing15 ha
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