Bushland Management
Strategic, Sensitive, Bushland ConservationService areas:
A holistic strategic approach
Our work is planned and executed with a view of the whole site. A comprehensive understanding of the site is essential. When making a site assessment we take into consideration issues such as the publics’ use of the space, the natural and management history of the reserve, vegetation type and quality, and sources of weed access.
Our work also takes into consideration the relationship of the site to other local reserves, supporting conservation goals across the landscape.
With our teams’ expertise and years of experience we can take appropriate management action to support the whole reserve.
We work from the best quality remnant vegetation out, and pay special attention to the containment of weed infestations. Harnessing natural ecological process, and mitigating or minimising undesirable disturbance and nutrient access we encourage biodiversity to naturally re-establish in depleted areas. Experience shows this leads to the most robust and resilient outcomes.
Monitoring is key to quality outcomes and maintenance of rehabilitated areas. Ecorepair understand that all sites are different, our approach must adapt to the context. Our quality work is the result of our commitment to reviewing and monitoring at our sites. We use a number of tools to do so, including weed mapping, vegetation quality assessments.
A strategic, timely approachExperience has shown that gradual works with follow up is essential for larger projects. We feel that it is very important to continue a regular presence in bushland reserves so that can gain a deeper understanding of the seasonal changes and other cycles and influence so we can respond to any emerging weeds issues.
Our knowledge and experienceAll staff have a keen interest in local bushland rehabilitation and are trained in bushland management. Across the team we offer expert knowledge and experience in native and exotic plant identification, progressive weed management principles (including removal techniques and appropriate use of herbicide and fire), arboriculture, ecosystem and vegetation type identification and knowledge, adaptive management, endangered, rare and threatened species management (flora and fauna), habitat management, bushfire recovery, planting, direct seeding.
Ecorepair has had a wide range of experiences in different forest types including wet dry and valley sclerophyll forest, coastal, basalt grasslands, bushfire affected areas and riparian zones throughout the Melbourne metro area.
Ecorepair’s sensitive approach to the management of bushland weeds is highly strategic and informed by our management principles. Please refer our document Bushland Management Principles for information on our methods.
Bushland Management Principles1 Research the site Site induction, Vegetation type (EVC), Character species (local and weeds), Identify significant areas, Identify habitat issues, Investigate any possible source of weed infestations, (road run off, septic, grey water, composts).
2 Prioritise high quality remnants Bradley Method - work from highest quality areas (see, Rawling, pp349-350 and Brock, pp5-6). Investigate threats to quality areas.
3.Prioritise weeds List all weeds and prioritise according to threat and timing. Develop a Calendar of events for control of weeds. Take note of any new weeds to site or local area. Research specific weeds to gather further understanding and effective control. Containment of larger weed infestations to reduce infections into intact areas.
4.Remove large weed infestations gradually and thoughtfully Remove weeds from site where practical. Care must be taken here as the removal of canopy species too quickly can cause other weeds to colonise that are harder to remove in the long term. Removal of weed trees and shrubs can also cause losses in wildlife corridors
5. Follow up is essential The success of any weed management comes down to the follow up. Every effort must be made to ensure funding and/or time for long term follow up and monitoring. It is important to plan weed control in that supports ease of follow up. Strategic management requires the implementation of long term management plans and funding.
6.Monitoring and Documentation supports effective weed management The use of seasonal monitoring, weed mapping, vegetation quality assessment and photo points are important tools.
7.Conduct ‘hands on’ weed control in preference to excessive spraying
8.Communication with all parties involved on site Support from and a communication with all parties involved in with the site is crucial to effective management, this may include initiating interaction with local council, Melbourne Water, residents, fire brigade, DSE, and Parks Victoria. Understanding how funding may be available through some of these organisations to support bushland management projects is important. Ecorepair constantly seeks to create new and innovative ways to engage with and educate the public.
9.Encourage the extension of remnant vegetation over revegetation Revegetation is expensive and does not compare in quality to remnant vegetation.
The construction of new plots of vegetation that require high maintenance distracts resources away from the high number of remnant areas in need of care. It is not an efficient or effective way to support biodiversity.
Revegetation can be appropriate in areas where it would create or link wildlife corridors. It can also be an effective strategy on a small scale (spot planting) to control some weed issues relating to loss of canopy.
10.Remain positive and pro-active Weeds can become overwhelming particularly in spring and in wetter seasons like we have had recently.
We have developed these guidelines to try and combat these blues. A focus on high quality areas and the prioritizing of weeds is the key to satisfying outcomes. Becoming obsessed with weed issues does not encourage positive involvement of other, a focus on the negative threatens the chances of attracting peoples appreciation the beauty of our bushland. The support and interest of the community is essential to effective long term bushland management. ReferenceRawling, Judith. 1996. Managing bushland remanats in the urban environment, in Eleventh Australian Weeds Conference Proceedings, http://www.caws.org.au/awc/1996/awc199613481.pdf
Brock, Thomas D. 2002. The Bradley Method for Control of Invasive Plants, in Plants Out of Place, the newsletter of the INVASIVE PLANTS ASSOCIATION OF WISCONSIN, Issue 3—October.
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Ecorepair prides itself on effective, efficient, low chemical weed control with an ongoing commitment to each site.