Download Arid Recovery Annual Report 2008

Arid Recovery
Restoring Australia‟s Arid Lands
2008 – 2009 Annual Report
This document is the 12th in a series of annual reports and outlines the activities of Arid Recovery
for the period from 1st July 2008 to June 30th June 2009.
Arid Recovery is a partnership which commenced in 1997 between BHP Billiton (originally WMC
Resources), the University of Adelaide, SA Department for Environment and Heritage and the
Friends of Arid Recovery.
Copies of this report or further information may be obtained by contacting us or visiting our
website.
Arid Recovery
PO Box 147 Roxby Downs
South Australia, 5725
Phone: 08-8671 8282 Fax: 08-8671 3287
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.aridrecovery.org.au
Other major supporters of Arid Recovery in
2008 – 2009 included the following:
Roxby Engineering and Fabrication
Figure 1. Arid Recovery Reserve
Cover photo credits (left-right): Fencing team finishes the Dingo Pen (Photo: Arid Recovery), Dingo (Phot: K. Kovac),
Poached Egg Daisies at the Reserve (Photo: Y. Mooney), A bettong excluder used to prevent bettongs accessing Elliott
traps (Photo: H.Crisp), Burrowing Bettong (Photo: S. Lyon). Below: Claypan after rain (Photo: H. McGregor)
HIGHLIGHTS 2008-2009
TOP 25 RESTORATION PROJECTS
Arid Recovery was voted one of Australasia‟s Top 25 ecological restoration projects. This was
based on the following criteria:
1. Outstanding example of ecological restoration for a particular
ecosystem
2. Has broken new ground in terms of ecological or on-ground
philosophies or techniques
3. Sound ecological principles and clearly stated goals
4. Exhibits high quality on-ground implementation standards
5. Demonstrated results over many years
6. Is of significant scale or potential to be adopted on a larger scale
7. Soundly monitored and evaluated and at least one paper published
8. Sound social underpinnings and sufficient support from
stakeholders to be sustained into the future
DINGOES ARRIVE
Arid Recovery‟s dingo project progressed to
the next level with a male and female dingo
being
introduced into
the Dingo Pen.
We can now
investigate how
dingos, cats and
foxes
interact
and what role (if
any) they play in supressing cat and fox
numbers
and
the
implications
for
management.
“HERO OF NATURE”
Arid Recovery (spokesperson Helen Crisp,
pictured), Assoc. Prof. David Paton and Prof.
Michael Bull were recognised as South
Australia‟s significant contributors to
threatened species conservation and shared
the podium with Jane Goodall on her “Hope
for Nature” tour at the Adelaide Town Hall.
Over
650
people attended.
WILD WEST PROGRAM CONTINUES
An external release of burrowing bettongs
into the Wild
West
Zone
added another
dimension to
the Wild West
program.
Findings from
this integrated
pest management program, in the aid to
establish a population of threatened species
outside a fence will steer future pest
management programs at Arid Recovery and
hopefully the region. However fences are still
an integral part of threatened species
conservation.
INCORPORATED
On the 31st March 2009 Arid Recovery was
officially registered as an incoporated public
company
with
a
charitable trust. This
begins a new chapter in
Arid Recovery‟s history
and we are hopeful that
this next phase is as
succesful as the last
decade.
THE ARID RECOVERY TEAM
STAFF
Acting Manager/Research Scientist
 Katherine Moseby (08/09)
Ecologist
 Helen Crisp (08/09)
Pest Management Officer
 Melissa Farrelly (Feb07-Aug08)
 Clint Taylor (Aug08-09)
Dingo Research Officer
 Adam Kilpatrick (08/Mar09)
 Heather Springbett (2009)
Community Education Officer
 Gill Van Hagen (2009)
Administrator
 Kasey VanDenBrink (08/09)
Fence Maintenance Officer
 Marty Kittel (08/09)
Casual Research Scientist
 Dr John Read (08/09)
Casual Contractors
 Frank Bernhardt
In Kind Support from BHP Billiton
 Greg Kammermann
 Peter Paisley
STUDENTS
Students who are currently completing (or
have completed) their PhD or Honours degree
in conjunction with Arid Recovery during the
reporting period:
PhD Students
 Arian Wallach (The University of
Adelaide)
 Karleah Trengove (The University of
Adelaide)
 Alex James (The University of Sydney)
 Katherine Moseby (The University of
Adelaide)
Honours Students
 Vince Scoleri (The University of Adelaide)
Scholarship Students
Third year students or recent graduates that
were awarded student scholarship placements
during the reporting period:
 Derek Sandow (Dingo Project)
 Rose Herben (Summer Scholarship)
Community Studies (Year 12)
 Karly McDonald (Roxby Downs Area
School)
Work Experience
 Olly Kerr (Urrbrae Agricultural High
School)
VOLUNTERS
Over 2000 volunteer hours were donated this
financial year to activities such as: Feral
animal control, threatened species monitoring
in particular radiotracking and trapping, fence
maintenance, vegetation monitoring and
conducting tours.
Thank you to everyone.
.
Rose Herben with Plains Rat. Photo: H. Crisp
Feral control volunteers Kevin Mooney and Travis
Gotch. Photo: Y. Mooney
FLORA, FAUNA and FENCE MONITORING PROGRAM
Method
Freq.
Description
Total
length/area
No.
sites
18km
6
Investigate changes in abundance of re-introduced species
84
Annual trapping of bettongs and bilbies to determine population
fluctuations
11
Determine distribution and abundance of bilbies outside of the
reserve
Re-introduced Species
Track transects
Quarter
Cage trapping
Annual
External native transects
Monthly
Bilby netting
Biannual
Investigate breeding activity and health of bilbies
Second Expn clearance
Opport.
Maintain integrity of control area for research purposes
Burrow and nest measurements
Every 2
years
80
Observe changes to bettong warrens, bilby burrows and sticknest rat nests over time.
Burrow activity
Annually
50
Getting revised
Nest activity
Biannual
30
Stick-nest rat nest activity scores and measurements
Plains Rat monitoring
Opport.
3
Pitfall/Elliott Sites
Annual
19
22km
Small Vertebrates
Investigate response of small mammals and reptiles to removal of
introduced herbivores and predators. 19 swale sites completed in
Feb09.
Birds
Bird Transects
Annual
84km
Investigate response of birds to removal of cats and rabbits
including increases in structure and vegetation cover and lower
predation levels.
Mist Netting
Annual
2
Investigate site fidelity, longevity and habitat preference of native
bird species.
Photopoints
Annual
48
Investigate regeneration of native plants after removal of rabbits
and domestic stock.
Seedling damage measurements
Annual
37
Investigate damage to seedlings and larger plants by burrowing
bettongs
Weeds
Seasonal
Biannual
86km2
Seasonal and intensive weed monitoring in particular high risk
areas.
Spotlight Transect
Quarter
40km
Investigate the temporal changes in feral animals around the
reserve fence line
Internal Track Transects
Quarter
9
Monitor for presence of feral animals within the Arid Recovery
Reserve
External Track Transects
Quarter
7
Determine the efficacy of hand baiting trials around the outside
of the reserve.
Permanent traps
Daily
20
Determine temporal changes in cats and foxes around reserve
fence line
Plant
Feral CFeral cats, Foxes, Rabbits
Fence
Fence checks
Weekly
60km
Check for fence damage
Fence audit
Annual
40km
Monitor fence condition and damage
Table 1: Flora, fauna and fence monitoring conducted during July 2008 to June 2009
REINTRODUCED SPECIES
Species
Main
Exclosure
(14km2)
Burrowing Bettong
500
(30 released
1999)
First
Expansion
(8 km2)
Northern
Expansion
(30 km2)
Red Lake
(26km )
(86km2)
500
(8 trans. 2001)
300
(27 trans. 2002
2 trans. 2003)
60
(67 released
2008)
1360
100
(9 released
2000)
100
(2 released &
13 trans. 2002)
50
(3 released &
3 trans. 2002;
8 released
4 trans. 2003;
15 released 2004)
250
Greater Stick-nest
Rat
150
(100 released
1998)
100
(15 trans. 2001)
100
(12 released
7 trans. 2003)
350
Western Barred
Bandicoot
80
(10 released
2001)
40
(7 trans. 2005)
120
Numbat
0
(5 released
2005)
Greater Bilby
Second
Expansion
(8 km2)
Total
2
0
Table 2: Population estimates as of June 2009 (based on track count and expansion size) and transfers to date within the
reserve.
BURROWING BETTTONG
Burrowing bettongs continue to be the most
abundant reintroduced species inside the Arid
Recovery Reserve despite a population crash
in February 2009 (Figure 2). Due to the
excessive damage that bettongs were having
on vegetation during the very dry conditions
and lack of natural predators, a total of 67
bettongs were released into the Red Lake
Expansion where at least two feral cats and
less than 10 rabbits were present. Track
transects have been established to monitor the
bettong population and as figure 2 illustrates
population has remained relatively stable
since release. With no sign of the bettong
population (or breeding) subsiding and
vegetation damage still prevailing, Arid
Recovery completed a release of 99 bettongs
outside the Reserve and into the predator
managed “Wild West Zone” in September
2008 however there has been no evidence of
bettongs living outside the fence since April
2009 (see the Wild West update for more
information).
Main
250
First
Northern
200
150
100
50
May-09
May-08
May-07
May-06
May-05
May-04
May-03
May-02
May-01
0
May-00
tracks per km
Red Lake
Figure 2. Numbers of
Burrowing Bettong
tracks per kilometre
within the Main
Exclosure (10km
transect), First
Expansion (5.5km
transect), Northern
Expansion (16km
transect) and Red Lake
Expansion (10km
transect).
GREATER BILBY
The greater bilby population has begun to
recover since dry conditions caused a major
population decline in May 2008. Summer
rains triggered breeding events with juvenile
tracks being seen during quarterly track
transects and juveniles being captured during
netting events. Bilby demographics are now
being recorded using spoor measurements on
the quarterly track transects to gain an
understanding of the proportion of adult and
juveniles present in the different expansions
at different times of year.
Main
First
80
Northern
tracks per km
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
May-09
May-08
May-07
May-06
May-05
May-04
May-03
May-02
May-01
May-00
0
Figure 3. Numbers of Greater Bilby tracks per kilometre within the Main Exclosure (10km transect), First Expansion
(5.5km transect), Northern Expansion (16km transect).
GREATER STICK NEST RAT
Despite natural fluctuations the Greater Stick
Nest Rat population remains relatively stable
within the Main Exclosure and increasing in
the First and Northern Expansions.
Quarterly tracks transects and bi-annual
monitoring of nests indicate that the
population is progressing well and is well
established.
45
40
35
tracks per km
30
Main
25
First
20
Northern
15
10
5
May-09
May-08
May-07
May-06
May-05
May-04
May-03
May-02
May-01
May-00
0
Figure 4. Numbers of Greater Stick Nest Rat tracks per kilometre within the Main Exclosure (10km transect), First Expansion
(5.5km transect), Northern Expansion (16km transect).
WESTERN BARRED BANDICOOT
A significant decline was observed in
February 2009 (Figure 5). However this may
be an artefact of the monitoring as it was 45
degrees and a very hot night which might
have limited activity. It is also unlikely that
the population could have increased as much
as it did in such a short time. Western Barred
Bandicoots have naturally dispersed into the
First Expansion for the first time since their
release into the adjacent Main Exclosure in
2001. This is extremely encouraging for the
overall „wee-bee-bee‟ (WBB) distribution and
is encouraging to see that that there is a trend
towards increasing population size despite dry
conditions in 2009 (Figure 5). A long awaited
supplementary translocation of WBB‟s has
been proposed for September 2009 to
augment Arid Recovery‟s current population
with new genetics from Faure Island, W.A.
This is also a very exciting step for the
national recovery of this threatened species as
it will be the first time that these two genetic
pools have mixed in the wild.
Main
Northern
90
First
80
tracks per km
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
May-09
May-08
May-07
May-06
May-05
May-04
May-03
May-02
May-01
May-00
0
Figure 5. Numbers of Western Barred Bandicoot tracks per kilometre within the Main Exclosure (10km transect), First
Expansion (5.5km transect), Northern Expansion (16km transect)
NUMBAT
Numbat tracks have not been observed in the
Main exclosure since August 2008, almost
three years after release. There is a high
chance that the lone numbat succumbed to
natural mortality. Numbats are thought to
survive for 3-5 years in the wild. Arid
Recovery is working with the National
Numbat Recovery Team to conduct a second
release of numbats in the near future, however
sourcing animals is still an issue after the
current listing of the numbat has been recently
upgraded again to critically endangered from
vulnerable.
Main
0.8
0.7
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
Apr-09
Jan-09
Oct-08
Jul-08
Apr-08
Jan-08
Oct-07
Jul-07
Apr-07
Jan-07
Oct-06
Jul-06
Apr-06
0
Jan-06
tracks per km
0.6
Figure 6. Numbers of
Numbat tracks per
kilometre within the
Main Exclosure (10km
transect).
FERAL ANIMAL CONTROL AND MONITORING
Feral animal incursions into the Reserve
During the reporting period 3 rabbits and one
cat gained entry into feral-free areas of the
Arid Recovery Reserve. This has been the
greatest number of incursions in Arid
Recovery‟s history and is most likely due to
the gradual wear and tear the Arid Recovery
fence is experiencing. Most of the Arid
Recovery fence is over 10 years old and areas
of the foot netting, particularly in the southern
sections have rusted out and are washed away
after rain or easily removed when animals dig
against it. As a result, foot netting has been
continually replaced during this reporting
period and will continue until all southern
sections of the Reserve are replaced.
Effective monitoring for feral and native
animals inside the Reserve and weekly
perimeter fence checks successfully detected
these feral animals and enabled staff, students
and volunteers to act quickly. Two of the
three rabbits were caught within 5 days of
being detected. The other rabbit was caught 4
months after detection. However, this
particular rabbit was in the Main Exclosure
that has the highest density of reintroduced
species making tracking and setting of traps
much more difficult. The cat is still an
ongoing issue but we have recently
discovered that it has jumped out of the
Northern Expansion and into the adjacent Red
Lake Expansion. As a result, feral eradication
in Red Lake expansion is a high priority for
the coming year.
Improvements to the remote monitoring of
cat traps
Arid Recovery and remote monitoring
company “Observant”, have worked together
this year to improve the remotely monitored
permanent trap system that has saved
countless staff and volunteer hours in
checking the 20 permanent rubber foot hold
traps around the Reserve on a daily basis.
Remotely monitored lures have also been
installed onto the system, allowing staff to
remotely turn audio lures on and off at each
trap using “Observant” software. Minor
glitches with the trigger system have been
ironed out by installing sirens that alert the
person setting the trap in the field whether the
system is registering the trap as set or
triggered.
In the next few months, remote cameras will
be ready to install at trap sites to enable us to
take a photo of a trap that has been triggered.
This will enable trap checking to become
more efficient and personnel checking the
traps to be better prepared.
A remotely monitored permanent cat trap.
Photo: C. Taylor
New foot netting (left) being replaced over rusted
foot netting (right). Photo: C. Taylor
Track transects
Cat and fox trapping
During 2008-2009, 9 cats and 10 foxes were
captured in the 20 permanent rubber foot-hold
traps over 6388 trap nights. Thus trap success
for cats was 0.14% whilst trap success for
foxes was 0.16%, slightly higher than last
year but overall still very low.
CatAverage % presence- baited vs. control
Aerial baiting ceases
Hand-baiting begins
30.00%
25.00%
20.00%
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00%
baited
control
M
ar
-0
6
M
ay
-0
6
Ju
l-0
6
Se
p06
No
v06
Ja
n07
M
ar
-0
7
M
ay
-0
7
Ju
l-0
7
Se
p07
No
v07
Ja
n08
M
ar
-0
8
M
ay
-0
8
Ju
l-0
8
Se
p08
No
v08
Ja
n09
M
ar
-0
9
M
ay
-0
9
average activity per
transect (% segments
with tracks)
Each quarter (Oct-Jan-Apr-Jul) feral track
transects in baited and non-baited (control)
areas are carried out to monitor the regional
fluctuations in cat, fox and rabbit numbers in
response to feral control. Figure 7 below
illustrates the results of these transects. Fox
numbers declined to negligible levels in
response to hand baiting. Whereas, cat and
rabbit numbers remained similar between
baited and control areas.
Date
Aerial baiting ceases
Hand-baiting begins
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
baited
control
M
ar
-0
M 6
ay
-0
6
Ju
l-0
Se 6
p06
No
v06
Ja
n07
M
ar
-0
M 7
ay
-0
7
Ju
l-0
Se 7
p07
No
v07
Ja
n08
M
ar
-0
M 8
ay
-0
8
Ju
l-0
8
Se
p08
No
v08
Ja
n09
M
ar
-0
M 9
ay
-0
9
average activity per
transect (% segments
with tracks)
FoxesAverage % presence- baited vs. control
Date
120.00%
100.00%
80.00%
60.00%
40.00%
20.00%
0.00%
RABBIT20 baited
RABBIT20 control
RABBIT200 baited
Mar-09
May-09
Jan-09
Nov-08
Jul-08
Sep-08
Mar-08
May-08
Jan-08
Nov-07
Jul-07
Sep-07
Mar-07
May-07
Jan-07
Nov-06
Jul-06
Sep-06
Mar-06
RABBIT200 Control
May-06
average activity per
transect (% segments
with tracks)
Rabbit Trend - Baited vs Control
Date
Figure 7. Presence of cat, fox and rabbit on external feral track transects outside the Arid Recovery Reserve in baited and
control areas.
SCIENCE AND RESEARCH
Arid Recovery and the design of the Arid Recovery Reserve, provides unique
opportunities for research in all facets of arid zone ecology. Arid Recovery conducts
research under four broad research priorities:
1. Document and differentiate between the restoration of ecological processes after the
removal of feral animals and the re-introduction of locally extinct species
2. Research the ecology of threatened and significant species and formulate monitoring
and re-introduction protocols
3. Explore options for maintaining desired population levels of threatened species
within the Reserve including indicators of overstocking
4. Develop and improve methods for feral animal control and exclusion.
While some research is conducted by Arid Recovery staff, other research is in
collaboration with external agencies. Arid Recovery continues to maintain strong links
with The University of Adelaide, Arid Lands NRM Board and The University of NSW
and encourages prospective students or agencies to contact us to discuss research options.
During the reporting period, Katherine Moseby began her PhD entitled “Improving
mammalian reintroduction success in the South Australian Arid Zone- the influence of
biotic and abiotic factors on reintroduction outcomes”. This is a collaborative project
between Arid Recovery and The University of Adelaide.
Conferences/workshops attended:
A number of conferences/workshops were
attended by Arid Recovery staff to disseminate
scientific information gained through either
monitoring or studies completed at Arid Recovery
or to contribute to scientific discussion. These
included: NRM Pest Forum, Threatened Species
Forum (DEH), Shark Bay Recovery Team,
National Numbat and Bilby Recovery Teams,
DEH Wildlife Ethics Committee and the Mulligan
Flat Workshop. A spoken paper was also
presented at the Australian Mammal Society
(AMS) Conference in Darwin.
ATTEMPTS TO
RE-INTRODUCE THE
GREATER BILBY TO THE
WILD: AN OVERVIEW
Helen Crisp, Katherine Moseby, Brydie Hill and Amber Cameron
AMS conference presentation.
WILD WEST PROGRAM
 Aim: to determine if cat and fox abundance could be reduced in an unfenced
environment to a level where successful landscape-scale re-establishment of
threatened species could be attained.
 Feral control methods used: ground 1080 baiting, shooting, intensive trapping and
permanent trapping. Extensive monitoring was conducted to determine cat and fox
activity and survival of reintroduced animals.
 Stage 1: Comparing the efficacy and cost effectiveness of these techniques for
controlling cats and foxes and determining the optimal integrated control
methodology (2007).
 Stage 2: Attempts to re-establish locally threatened species into the Wild West Zone
where intensive pest management and monitoring was occurring. Greater Bilbies
were reintroduced in August 2007. Burrowing Bettongs were reintroduced in
September 2008.
Major findings:
We could not reduce cats to levels required to re-establish threatened species in the Wild
West Zone despite using a combination of broad-scale, best practice control techniques
(Figure 7). Fox control was achieved effectively and relatively cheaply, but without
effective cat control, the biodiversity benefits for threatened species were not significant.
In terms of feral animal control, permanent traps were more effective than intensive
(fortnightly) shooting and trapping. There was no significant increase in rabbit activity in
the Wild West Zone despite the reduction in fox numbers.
The Greater Bilby exhibited much greater survival and breeding success than the
Burrowing Bettong in the first 12 months after release and much higher survival than the
2004 bilby release. Most Burrowing Bettongs survived between 1.5 and 3 months post
release.
Future direction:

Review feral cat control techniques and trial new
innovative methods

Continue monitoring feral animal presence
through track transects

Investigate dingo, cat and fox interactions and
the role that dingoes may have in controlling cat
and fox numbers

Remove rabbits and cats from the Red Lake
Expansion

Investigate survivorship of bilbies and bettongs
in the presence of dingoes
Cat (left) and bilby (right) tracks in the Wild
West Photo: H. Crisp
DINGO RESEARCH PROJECT
The Arid Recovery Dingo Project is the only project in Australia studying the detailed
interaction between dingoes, cats and foxes in a pen trial. Depending on the results,
outcomes will hopefully assist biodiversity and production managers to find a balance
between protection of biodiversity and minimising calf predation.
Dingo Pen
Project aim: to determine what role (if any) dingoes play
in controlling introduced predators such as cats and foxes.
This has implications for threatened species management
in the arid zone and also for dingo control.
Project location: North of the Arid Recovery Reserve in
the 37 square km dingo pen (Figure 8, left).
Cats: Five feral cats were radiocollared in mid-2008
within the pen and their movements have now been
tracked for over 8 months, before and after the
introduction of dingoes.
Dingos: A pair of dingoes were captured on Stuart Creek
Station and introduced into the pen in December 2008.
Foxes: 5 foxes were introduced into the pen in June 2009.
Figure 8. Dingo project location
Technology: All animals are fitted with
GPS radiocollars that take location fixes
every 2 hours (Figure 9, right). This
information will be used to determine if
there is any change in cat behaviour,
habitat use, activity patterns etc after the
introduction of the dingoes. Also it will
indicate if dingoes are involved in
predation of cats and foxes or if they are
excluding them from resource points.
Figure 9. Example of the data collected from one cat
within dingo pen.
Figure 10. The male dingo photographed with
a remote camera.
Preliminary results: The Dingo pair
successfully reared one male pup. All foxes
that were reintroduced to the pen where the
dingoes are present have been found dead
within a period of three weeks. Two were
definitely attacked by dingoes, a finding
supported by necropsy results. Others are
suspected dingo attacks but need to be
confirmed when the dingoes are recaptured
and the data from their collars are
downloaded. Cat response to dingo presence is
more subtle and needs to be investigated
further with dingo data.
The dingo project has been proudly sponsored by the SAAL NRM board and Olympic
Dam Expansion project.
Scientific papers published/submitted in 2008/09:
 Bester, A.J., and Rusten, K., (2009) Trial translocation of the numbat
(Myrmecobius fasciatus) into arid Australia Australian Mammalogy, 31, 9-16.
 Bice, J and Moseby, K, (2008). Diets of the re-introduced greater bilby
(Macrotis lagotis) and burrowing bettong (Bettongia lesueur) in the Arid
Recovery Reserve, Northern South Australia. Australian Mammalogy 30(1): 112.
 Moseby, K.E., Stott, J., and Crisp, H. (2009) Movement patterns of feral
predators in an arid environment – implications for control through poison
baiting. Wildlife Research, 36, 422-435.
 Moseby, K.E., Hill, B.M. and Read, J.L. (2009) Arid Recovery-A comparison of
reptile and small mammal populations inside and outside a large rabbit, cat and
fox-proof exclosure in arid South Australia. Austral Ecology, 34, 156–169.
 Read, J.L. and Kilpatrick, A.D. (2009) Improved conservation status of Atriplex
kochiana. Trans .R. Soc. S. Aust. 133
 Read, J.L., and Kilpatrick, A.D., (submitted to Transactions of the Royal
Society of S. Aust) Improved conservation status of Atriplex kochiana.
 Read, JL, Carter, J., Moseby, K.M., and Greenville, A. (2008) Ecological roles of
rabbit, bettong and bilby warrens in arid Australia. Journal of Arid Environments
72: 2124-2130.
 Crisp H and Moseby K (Submitted to Ecological Management and Restoration)
One-way gates: initial trial of a potential tool for preventing overstocking within
fenced reserves.
 Munro, N., Moseby, K.E. and Read, J.L. (submitted to Rangeland Journal) The
effects of grazing by native, introduced and reintroduced herbivores on
perennial seedling growth and survivorship.
Theses submitted in 2008/09:
 James, A.I. (PhD thesis) The importance of foraging pits to the landscape function
and arid ecosystems.
Internal technical reports completed in 2008/09:
 Crisp, H. (2008) Burrowing Bettongs: undoing a decade of vegetation rehab
inside the Main Expansion. A.R. Technical Report 2008 (3)
 Farrelly, M., and Taylor, C. (2008) Perimeter fence audit report
 Moseby, K., Crisp, H., and Taylor, C. (2009) Wild West Report. A.R. Technical
Report 2009 (1)
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND AWARENESS
FRIENDS OF ARID RECOVERY VOLUNTEERS
Over 2000 volunteer hours were donated this financial year to activities such as: feral animal
control, threatened species monitoring in particular radio-tracking and trapping, fence maintenance,
vegetation monitoring and conducting tours. Friends of Arid Recovery is registered for the BHP
Billiton Matched Giving Program, where all hours donated or funds raised by a BHP Billiton
employee is matched by the company. Significant funds were generated through this program.
PUBLIC TOURS
Public tours of the Reserve continue to be a success and are run by volunteers from the Friends of
Arid Recovery through the Visitor Information Centre (VIC) in Roxby Downs. In 2008-09, a total
number of 75 tag-along-tours were conducted. Each number of visitors per group ranged from two
to 20. There has been an increasing trend in the popularity of tours. Information surrounding the
total number of people that attended these tours for the 2008-09 period was not available at this
time of writing. Tours were most popular in the cooler months (May-October).
MEDIA
Arid Recovery featured in 33 known printed articles, 1 TV program („Road Trip Nation‟ SBS),
three radio interviews with ABC radio and published 4 newsletters during the reporting period.
Three film crews also visited and filmed at the Arid Recovery Reserve.
Type of Media
Unique visitors to website
TV/Video
Number in 2008-2009
7,178 (May 08 highest)
1 programs
3 film crew visits
Print
33 Articles
Radio
3 Radio Interviews
Media Releases
3 Press Releases
Table 3. 2008-09 media
AWARDS
Arid Recovery volunteers, partners and staff have been consistently recognised for their hard work
and success through winning several awards and being chosen as a finalist or highly recommended
for others. In 2008-2009, Arid Recovery was judged one of Australasia‟s Top 25 ecological
restoration projects. Arid Recovery was also a finalist in the National Landcare Awards held in
Canberra.
WEBSITE
Due to much dedication and time consuming work by Katherine Moseby, followed on by
Community Education Officer, Gill van Hagen, Arid Recovery is heading towards the launch of an
exciting new interactive website that not only reflects the new image of Arid Recovery Ltd., but
will also serve to encourage input, feedback and support from corporate and general communities.
The website is anticipated to be fully operational by December 2009.
EDUCATION and VISITS
During 2008-09 Arid Recovery continued to develop its links with local, regional and city based
schools. In March 2009, Arid Recovery enhanced its partnership with Gateways to host educational
stays for indigenous students at the Reserve with plans for 6-8 groups to visits each year. The
educational program has developed significantly over 2009 and will be incorporated into a
dedicated educational section on the new website due to be launched towards the end of 2009.
A total of 15 groups visited the Arid Recovery Reserve during July 2008
and June 2009. Half of these comprised of special interest groups
including the S.A. Environment Minister (Jay Weatherall), FAME
(Foundation for Australia‟s Most Endangered Species), Alice Springs
Desert Park, Global Leadership Foundation and the D.E.H. Outback
Consultative Committee. The remaining visits were school groups, some
from Roxby Downs, Adelaide and the APY Lands. One visit was a „look
and learn visit‟ with two staff from the Mulligan Flat Sanctuary, ACT.
Students from the APY Lands training
in radiotracking. Photo: G. van Hagen
School Visit to Arid Recovery. Photo: G. van Hagen
Students from the APY Lands training in
setting cage traps. Photo: G. van Hagen
OUTREACH VISITS
A total of 17 outreach visits were conducted during the reporting period and included scientific
conferences/workshops (see research section for details), Roxby Downs Career Expo, local schools,
Bairnsdale and District Field Naturalist Club just to name a few. Visits generally involved a talk
about Arid Recovery, the Arid Recovery Reserve and time for questions and feedback.
FINANCIAL REPORT
This financial report is for all income and expenditure between 1st July 2007 – 30th June 2008.
GRANTS
During 2008-09, Friends of Arid Recovery and Arid Recovery staff applied for five external grants
(marked with an * in Table 2 and Table 3) and received or secured over $140,000 (Table 2).
Sizeable grants were received from the SAAL NRM Board through the cross regional NHT funding
for the Dingo project.
Grant
Amount Applied
Received (or secured)
Australian Government‟s Caring for our
Country (2008) (1yr)*
$90 000
$90 000
Caring for our Country (2009) (3 yrs)*
$232 260
0
SA Arid Lands NRM Board
$50,000
$50,000
Community Development Support
Program (BHP Billiton)*
$19 800
0
Community Benefit SA*
$32 250
0
Wildlife Conservation Fund*
$7 900
0
$432 210
$140 000
TOTAL
Table 2: Grants applied for and received/secured during 2008-09.
INCOME
A total of $579 083 in monetary contributions were received in the 2008-09 financial year (Table
3). BHP Billiton was the largest contributor with other major contributors including the Australian
Government‟s Caring for our Country, SAAL NRM Board, S.A. Department for Environment and
Heritage.
EXPENDITURE
Major expenditure items included wages and feral animal control (Table 3). Wages were paid to
three full time positions (Ecologist, Pest Management Officer and Dingo Research Officer), three
part time positions (Research Scientist/Interim Manager, Administrator and Community Education
Officer) and two casual positions (Fence Maintenance Officer and casual Feral Animal Control
Officer).
*The closing balance of $225 327 is primarily allocated money for grants that are still current.
Profit and Loss – Arid Recovery
OPENING BALANCE
$
192 860
BHP Billiton Annual Contribution
$
325 482
NRM Cross Regional Funds (Dingo
Project)*
$
38 000
Olympic Dam Expansion*
$
10 000
SAAL NRM 2008/2009
$
50 000
SA Department for Environment &
Heritage
$
50 000
Caring for our Country*
$
80 000
Friends of Arid Recovery
$
11 990
Gateways
$
10 975
Other
$
2 636
TOTAL INCOME
$
579 083
TOTAL INCOME & OPENING
BALANCE
$
771 943
Personnel
$
328 485
Dingo Project
$
45 000
Feral Species/Weed Control
$
76 432
Research & Reintroductions
$
37 037
Reserve Maintenance
$
10 180
Management
$
28 850
Publicity & Education
$
18 050
Volunteer Expenses
$
2 582
TOTAL EXPENSES
$
$
(*N.B.
INCOME
EXPENSES
CLOSING BALANCE
Table 3: Profit and Loss statement for Arid Recovery.
546 616
225 327*
This closing balance is
money allocated from grants
that span two financial years)
IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS
In-kind contributions totalled just over $350 000. Major in-kind contributors included BHP Billiton,
the Friends of Arid Recovery, University of Adelaide, DEH, Observant and Adelaide Zoo. In-kind
contributions involved the donation of volunteer assistance for animal and endangered species
monitoring and transfers, feral animal control and monitoring, infrastructure maintenance and
research. Other in-kind contributions included vehicles, office space, transport costs and
equipment. Many local businesses and landholders also sponsored Arid Recovery through the use
of their goods and services. In-kind labour contributions are valued at $25 per hour. BHP Billiton
provides a significant amount of in-kind support comprised of vehicles, office space, computers,
staff time, vehicle maintenance and logistics.
In Kind Contributions - Arid Recovery
ORGANISATION/COMPANY
VALUE
BHP Billiton
$200 000
Friends of Arid Recovery
$ 85 200
The University of Adelaide
$ 35 000
Observant
$ 24 000
Adelaide Zoo
$ 10 800
DEH
$ 10 000
Wise Accounting
$ 5 000
Monadelphous Engineering
$
3 000
Watson's Express Transport
$
2 000
Lightforce
$
1 200
Linfox
$
1 120
Coates Hire
$
1 250
Blackwoods
$
150
TOTAL
$ 367 920
Table 4. In-kind contributions for 2008-09.