“Living with Biodiversity Conservation” by Margaret England
Tree Veneration Society member Margaret England was visited recently by fellow member Adrienne Hunt at her rural Biodiversity Conservation property. Here, in response to Adrienne’s questions, Margaret explains what is involved with being directly engaged with the natural world as an advocate and custodian.
Where is your property?
Our property, Billagul, is at Retreat, a rural locality 80+ kms north of Tamworth NSW, in the traditional ancestral territory of Nganyaywana and Kamilaroi First Nations.
It is on the Macdonald River which becomes the Namoi River downstream – in the crossover region of North West Slopes and New England Tablelands. Adjoining Warrabah National Park, it is steep rocky granite country, varying from 700 to 1000 metres above sea level.
The entire property sits in the Nandewar New England Tablelands Granite Belt Climate Change Corridor, designed to provide natural reserve buffers and linkages for fauna, especially woodland birds and frogs. The southern half is part of the National Reserve System.
Billagul covers 233 hectares, 227 of which is under a perpetual Conservation Covenant. It supports Box Gum Grassy Woodlands and Carex Sedgeland – both Endangered Ecological Communities.
What is the nature of the contract that you have entered into?
Though we only moved here in 2019, I bought Billagul in 2015 from the Nature Conservation Trust (NCT) of NSW. It has a perpetual NCT Agreement on the title. I was motivated to do so as I wanted a deeper, restorative relationship with Australian bushland. I was eager to buy from NCT as they bought and covenanted other places of significant natural heritage with sale proceeds.
The NSW government replaced NCT with the Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) after changing the relevant Act in 2016. We are now overseen by BCT (https://www.bct.nsw.gov.au/).
By buying the property under its agreement and becoming its custodian, I have pledged to manage it for its Conservation values. I have also made a pledge with the Invasive Species Council (https://invasives.org.au/our-work/invasive-species/) to try to reduce invasive plants and animals.
The goals set by NCT, and now BCT are to increase connectivity, protect and restore natural habitat, reduce threats, increase biodiversity, thus providing a safer context for native flora and fauna to thrive. One such goal is “to secure examples of the natural environment for scientific studies, environmental monitoring and education…”
Some of the threatened and endangered animals on Billagul are Spotted-tailed Quolls, Bell’s Turtles, Border Thick-tailed Gecko and the Swift Parrot. Plants to foster habitat include the critically endangered Velvet Wattle and Floyd’s Zieria.
How are environmental changes on the property assessed?
Ecological surveys and assessments have been done on Billagul in 2014, 2021, 2023. We are part of a University of New England research project that induces gravid Bell’s Turtles then nurtures the baby turtles, returning them to exactly where their mothers (already returned) are from when they are developed enough, thus protecting them from foxes which are responsible for 95% of the turtle egg deaths.
We are about to participate in Department of Planning and Environment’s Bats in Backyards project which involves recording with their Bat Detector.
We have hosted Field Days, Plant ID days and meetings for Landcare, Armidale Wildlife Habitat group, school excursions.
Indeed, this blog supports this particular goal!
Goals and changes are assessed by ourselves and by aforementioned and future Surveys. Also, BCT will assess every 5 years, particularly using 5 photo points across the property. Technologies such as trail cameras, drones and audio recorders will also help us survey, as will Apps such as iNaturalist, FeralScan.
What are some of the positive changes that you are most excited about?
Positive changes we are seeing include an increase in native flora in the riparian zone and Carex Sedgeland , an increase in woodland birds and reptiles in the revegetated area. This is due to continual removal of stray cattle from the property, coordinated pest animal control; aerial shooting by National Parks, pig traps, fox baiting, cat trapping. The removal of cattle and reduced feral goats has, on the other hand , also led to more weeds, our main challenge. Also, we leave as much timber and litter as possible on the ground for habitat, everywhere except around house and infrastructure. “Tidiness is the enemy of Nature”. I checked ecologist Phil Spark’s 20 traps every day for 3 weeks, one of the most interesting things I have ever done. It made me realise the myriad creatures that we don’t see, that are in the bush, that need their habitat protected. Highlights were the only Dunnart I have ever seen and the many different lizards and frogs.
Since we put a house and infrastructure here, plus signs and locked gates, there has been a big reduction in human activity (fishing, shooting and motor boats) along the river and up higher, so less disturbance and death of creatures and landscape such as kangaroos, platypus, fish, water birds and turtles and more Murray cod in the river.
Has government assistance been available?
There is much NSW Government assistance available, in the form of advice, training, funding and equipment. BCT has project funding available upon application. The Fauna Survey 2021 and Bird Survey were funded by BCT. Tamworth Local Land Services (LLS) have lent us pig traps and oversee the baiting programs. LLS (https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/) provided financial support for weed control after the 2019 fires. Southern New England and Tamworth Landcare are very helpful with advice, field days, workshops and plants. Also, in NSW – Council rates are waived for Covenanted land.
The various Flora and Fauna Apps and ID guides such as Trees Near Me, Frog ID, Australian Birds, NSW Weedwise are developed or sponsored by various NSW and Australian Government departments.
What have been the biggest challenges?
The biggest challenges are Ferals (plants and animals), Floods, Fire, and Faintheartedness on my part. Managing weeds is a continual struggle, trying to use as little poison as possible, especially along the river, the flooding of which is the main vehicle for weed seeds, but mechanical methods are very taxing.
Foxes and pigs as well as carp in the river need continual removal which our neighbours all help with.
In 5 years we have had 3 fires on the big hill, all started by lightning in the warmer months. But the neighbours, Rural Fire Service and National Parks are a huge help in such events.
Faintheartedness includes decreased physical ability due to aging, COVID, injury as well as timidity in the face of large feral animals, snakes, snakes and snakes!
Remoteness is another challenge to maintaining family and social contact, health and availability of manpower and services. eg we often only get 1 mail delivery a week. Also, it is hard to get informal workers, for example, for weeding.
Nonetheless, I wouldn’t swap this place for anywhere else!
What motivates you to keep looking after the property?
Having the custodial role is continually stimulating, rewarding and keeps me moving! I am learning so much, and it is so beautiful with the river, the hills with so many rocks and big old trees.
I go for a kayak most days and seeing the platypus, turtles, azure kingfisher, rainbow bee-eaters, lizards, echidnas, kangaroos with their joeys, hearing so many birds and frogs and possums, smelling the wildflowers and lomandra when flowering, finding all sorts of insects and fungi brings me so much joy and peace.
It will be a sad day if we can no longer manage, but because it is covenanted, if we have to sell, like-minded people will take the custodial baton.
What have been some of the memorable things about your association with the Tree Veneration Society and its members?
I love meeting and learning from the other members of the Tree Veneration Society (TVS) who similarly value and love the natural world. I have been a member for 5 years, taking part in art exhibitions, symposiums, marching for nature in costumes, advocating for our native forests and woodlands. I look forward to the Art making, Activist and Advocacy opportunities that being a member of TVS provides.