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Bass Coast Landcare Network, in partnership with South Gippsland Landcare Network, Gippsland Threatened Species Action Group and Trust for Nature was successful in receiving $250,000 from the Australian Government for a project entitled ‘Enhanced Knowledge and Protection of the Giant Gippsland Earthworm’.
The Giant Gippsland Earthworm is listed as Critically Endangered under the EPBC Act. Giant Gippsland Earthworm is one of the largest earthworms in the world and is only found within 44,000 hectares of the western Strzelecki Ranges. The worm is subterranean and rarely seen but sometimes is accidentally exposed during excavation works by farm machinery. The project is focusing on protection of the Giant Gippsland Earthworm and increasing knowledge of its habitat and management requirements. The project team is working with nine landholders across South Gippsland, covering a total of 88 ha of land, 34.83 of which will be permanently protected under a Trust for Nature covenant. Other project outputs include fencing, weed management and habitat site mapping on these nine properties, development of planting guidelines, a multi-media case study and two field days. A component of the project is also looking at a wide range of historical revegetation/remnant vegetation and pasture sites containing Giant Gippsland Earthworm colonies. Floristic and structural data collected by a botanist from vegetation quadrats is being analysed and modified planting guidelines and Ecological Vegetation Class species lists are being produced for planting specifically within Giant Gippsland Earthworm habitat. Numerous sites are also being monitored over time. For further information on Giant Gippsland Earthworms, including guidelines on how to modify revegetation around colonies, visit https://www.giantearthworm.org.au/ |
Photo courtesy of Beverley Van Praagh
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Springbank Timelapse
Have a look at this fantastic timelapse video showcasing the progress of revegetation works at the farm property, ‘Springbank’, in Bena, South Gippsland. The timelapse takes you through a journey starting in 1956 through to 2022. What was once a denuded landscape has been transformed into both a biodiverse and productive landscape. This has occurred across the entire Southern Gippsland region and can be attributed to the wonderful efforts of the landcare movement in Bass Coast and South Gippsland.
On this particular property numerous colonies of the Giant Gippsland Earthworm have been recorded. The threatened Giant Gippsland Earthworm is only found in the south western Strzelecki Ranges with its preferred habitat found along the banks and terraces of streams and drainage channels above the flood level, and on steep south facing slopes.
The Enhanced Knowledge and Protection of the Giant Gippsland Earthworm project aims to identify and locate Giant Gippsland Earthworm populations and protect their colonies and habitats. Management guidelines will also be produced that will provide advice on best practice revegetation within known colonies and habitats. It’s important to take care when revegetating known colonies and habitats as revegetation dominated by large tree species can dry out the soil, making the habitat unsuitable.
This project is a true partnership that will result in an increased knowledge and awareness of the Giant Gippsland Earthworm, improved site management and long-term protection of their habitat.
For further information on Giant Gippsland Earthworms, including guidelines on how to modify revegetation around colonies, visit https://www.giantearthworm.org.au/
The ‘Enhanced Knowledge and Protection of the Giant Gippsland Earthworm’ project is supported through funding from the Australian Government.
The Enhanced Knowledge and Protection of the Giant Gippsland Earthworm project aims to identify and locate Giant Gippsland Earthworm populations and protect their colonies and habitats. Management guidelines will also be produced that will provide advice on best practice revegetation within known colonies and habitats. It’s important to take care when revegetating known colonies and habitats as revegetation dominated by large tree species can dry out the soil, making the habitat unsuitable.
This project is a true partnership that will result in an increased knowledge and awareness of the Giant Gippsland Earthworm, improved site management and long-term protection of their habitat.
For further information on Giant Gippsland Earthworms, including guidelines on how to modify revegetation around colonies, visit https://www.giantearthworm.org.au/
The ‘Enhanced Knowledge and Protection of the Giant Gippsland Earthworm’ project is supported through funding from the Australian Government.
