Grants

This outstanding project is one of The Norman Wettenhall Foundation’s ‘flagship’ projects and has been providing support for around 13 years.

Gross loss of habitat coupled with fragmentation and degradation of the remaining vegetation, have led to sharp declines in many Box-Ironbark species. This project aims to enhance both the quantity and quality of existing remnants, to provide improved habitat for threatened species such as Regent Honeyeaters, Squirrel Gliders, Grey-crowned Babblers and Brush-tailed Phascogales.

Results from annual nest box monitoring and bird surveys provide solid evidence about the need for high density planting to ensure the safe return of many woodland birds.  

The RE Ross Small Rural Victorian Grants Scheme will contribute towards the purchase of tree stock, and the Norman Wettenhall will continue to support coordination and wages.

After considerable investment in land restoration activities across the state, there is a need for ecological auditing.  This project will look at past restoration works and assess: whether plant diversity and physiognomy involved help regenerate indigenous flora; how the site now benefits from an internal resilience; to what extent does the planting density and species mix influence the rate of natural recruitment?  The study will use sites in western Victoria and include Leigh Creek, Glenelg River and the Surrey River.

Funding has been granted using the RE Ross Trust Small Rural Victorian Grants.

Return of the Phasmid

Six years ago the Lord Howe Stick Insect was re-discovered (from extinction) and relocated to the Melbourne Zoo for a breeding program.  After successfully breeding, the zoo now houses the largest collection of the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect in the world and insects have been returned to the island. 

In order to restore a viable population of the insect to the island, the Melbourne Zoo has devised a unique, hands on education program.  Schools will take part in looking after breeding insects for 18 months, being mentored by the zoo staff.  The objective is then to release the insects back to Lord Howe Island.   The grant will supply 25 schools across Victoria each with the kit needed to participate, and at least half of the schools will be in rural Victoria. Thanks to the RE Ross Trust Small Rural Victorian Grants Scheme for funding half of this project.

Biolink benefits – Hindmarsh community monitoring program

Project Hindmarsh is a successful and inspirational landscape and biodiversity restoration project that has been operating for 12 years to connect the Big and Little Deserts of the north western Wimmera region of Victoria. 

After all the years of on-ground works, the Hindmarsh Landcare Network now wish to conduct some community monitoring and surveying and produce a website for dissemination of information.

The Norman Wettenhall Foundation, in conjunction with Spatial Vision, has developed interactive mapping tools for its landscape restoration projects. These tools will be offered to the Hindmarsh Landcare Network with free training.  The grant will also fund a newsletter and monitoring training events.