Planting starts on WAMA site

Seeds from more than 55 species of native grasses and wildflowers have been sown on a 1.6-hectare native grassland on the Wildlife Art Museum of Australia site at Pomonal.

The WAMA Foundation has partnered with Jallukar Landcare Group and Greening Australia to deliver the project, part of a naturebased learning and wildlife art precinct.

WAMA company secretary, Jallukar project officer and deputy chair Ange Turrell said many of the seeds and wildflowers sown had been collected and propagated by Landcare members within the Grampians in the past three years.

“This project is the first of many to come as part of the Jallukar Landcare Group’s Native Grasslands Revegetation Project to restore and revegetate the grasslands within the region to a more natural landscape, that contributes to the conservation of the Grampians’

unique biodiversity,” she said. “There is as little as one percent of native grasslands left in Victoria, meaning that grasslands are one of our most endangered ecosystems within the state.”

Group leaders chose the WAMA site, on Ararat-halls Gap Road, for the initial project due to its open space and accessibility.

Ms Turrell said a vermin-proof fence had been installed around the 16-hectare site.

She said the project was driven by a strong volunteer workforce and partnership between Jallukar Landcare Group, The Australian Plant Society – Grampians, and Greening Australia, who have provided expertise and guidance throughout the project. The revegetation has been funded through Wimmera Catchment Management Authority’s Landcare Grants Program.

Greening Australia senior ecologist Jess Gardner helped start the native-seed revegetation process at the WAMA site.

“To enable grassland restoration works in this region the initial focus has been around addressing seed supply and community capacity to undertake works,” she said.

Plant identification, seed collection and propagation workshops have enabled participants to collect seed from their own properties to contribute to the project.

Ms Turrell said to ensure the quality of seed used, a significant amount was sourced from a community-run seed production nursery in Pomonal, with in-ground production areas also established and harvested on private land.

“This project is an example of local people and groups coming together to collaborate, share expertise and support one another to achieve a common goal,” she said.

The project forms part of a $6-million master plan for the site.