2015
FACT SHEET
Funding
$35,200
Project
This project will restore threatened subtropical and temperate saltmarsh and support the birds that rely on it to survive.
This ecological community is found on the sandy/muddy shores and tidal flats of coastal areas. Once occurring in patches through much of southern Australia, subtropical and temperate saltmarsh has declined because of increased fragmentation, tidal restriction, increased marine inundation, loss of mangroves and invasion by exotic plant species.
Victoria’s coastline provides some of the most significant habitat for migratory shorebirds in southern Australia. Community monitoring of shorebirds has revealed that the temperate saltmarsh on Snake Island has lost up to 90% of its shorebird population mainly due to the damage to a single culvert and the site drying out.
This funding will allow for repair and maintenance works on a culvert at Snake Island, to reintroduce natural tidal flows and recovery of the saltmarsh.
With volunteer effort coordinated by Birdlife Australia and operations support from the local Natural Resource Management organisation, revitalising this saltmarsh will also support migratory birds, including the vulnerable fairy tern.
Partners
Geelong Field Naturalists Inc, Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Arthur Rylah Institute, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, Birdlife Australia.