Surveys of the native vegetation and native fauna are usually required for areas of rural or semi-rural land that are going to be built on or subdivided. But as a consultant arriving to do a survey it is not unusual to be met at the site in question by the owner or developer, who claims something like “There’s no native vegetation here. I don’t think a survey is necessary when there are no trees on the place.”
Well, they are usually right about there being no trees, but the place is generally covered with grasses and other small plants among those grasses. So plenty of vegetation! And around Armidale these grassy sites usually have plenty of native species among those groundcovers. Indeed, sometimes these sites are actually covered with a wonderfully diverse variety of native grasses and herbs, some of which are now very uncommon in grazed situations.
Although perhaps not supporting native trees, these areas of grassy ‘remnant vegetation’ are just as valuable, or more valuable, than a stand of big old eucalypts. What’s more, in spring and summer these areas often contain a variety of native wildflowers – often small but beautiful in subtle ways and sometimes of a great diversity. In some native grassy areas there can be up to 30 species of native groundcover plants in one square metre. And if native trees are present, it’s good going for there to be six species of eucalypts in the hectare containing that one square metre.
Citizens Wildlife Corridors Armidale Inc (CWC) is a voluntary, not-for-profit, charitable organisation that helps landholders identify and manage areas of native vegetation, be they grassy areas or woodland habitats. CWC helps people restore, conserve or recreate and link areas of native vegetation across the New England region–and has been doing so for the last twenty years.
CWC can help with ideas, planning support, technical backup, species identification, and access to funding, tailor-made to suit you and your land. Membership is open to all and includes two newsletters per year. For further information, contact: Ruth Trémont, email ruth.tremont@gmail.com, or Kath Wray, tel. (02) 6772 8878.
