At the foothills of Gariwerd (Grampians National Park) the temperate montane forest and woodlands give way to the Wimmera plains to the north and the grassy woodlands and wetlands of the south-west. The region is the geographical and biological transition between temperate and arid Australia.
The line of the 141st longitude connects a series of bio-regions that is home to 3,974 recorded species, including 3,169 plants, 61 invertebrates and 744 species of vertebrate fauna. As well as extensive woodland and grassland ecosystems, The Wimmera grasslands supports internationally significant wetlands and habitat for the critically endangered south-eastern red-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyne).
This project will reforest many sites in this important region with native tree species, including along the Wimmera river that was once cleared due to extensive farming. Seed is sourced locally so that the landscape can be restored to as close to its original condition as possible.
Planting trees and regenerating grassy woodland along the banks of the Wimmera River will restore native habitat for wildlife, remove atmospheric CO2 and improve the quality of water flows into the river.
This unique landscape provides habitat for a vast array of species and enables mobile species to migrate between various parts of the ecosystem. Restoration of this land will provide gene flow and re-colonisation opportunities that are critical to maintaining viable populations of wildlife, in fragmented landscapes.
This project is part of a program innovatively integrating reforestation activity alongside existing agricultural operations.
It is helping to raise awareness of the benefits of ecosystem restoration on this precious native land.
The restoration of the Wimmera region's ecosystems will benefit over 700 species of fauna and countless plant species. The project will enhance biodiversity, strengthen wildlife populations, and mitigate climate change through CO₂ sequestration.
