12 August 2024

Our team recently spent two incredible days on Country, training with DEECA’s Southern Ark program, who have been working to suppress fox numbers in East Gippsland for 21 years now.

Their fox baiting program is instrumental in supporting the resurgence of small mammals in Victoria, helping them bounce back from the brink of extinction, especially after the devastating 2019/2020 bushfires.

At GLaWAC, we reckon our fox baiting program is crucial to support the resurgence of native critters on Country, so it’s great to be able to see how other programs are tackling the problem, and to learn more about the ways of the small mammals, birds and reptiles we’re working to protect.

The Southern Ark crew were keen to share their knowledge of the interconnectedness of our bushlands.

Our small mammals play a crucial role in the ecosystem, digging up underground fungi and spreading spores. When fire sweeps through, new fungi spread beneath the nutrient-rich ash layer, sparking a cycle of regeneration and growth.

We learned about the intricate triangle of dependency within this ecosystem – potoroos, bandicoots, and bettongs rely on the “truffles” produced by fungi for food, with some species, like potoroos, almost exclusively dependent on them.

In turn, fungi depend on these animals to dig up truffles, spreading their spores throughout the forest to inoculate seedlings, especially after fires.

Plants, including grasses, shrubs, and trees, have a unique association with fungi, which grow in their roots, helping with nutrient uptake. This symbiotic relationship is vital; without it, seedlings are weak and prone to disease.

Both, our Valley and Kalimna crews participated in the workshop, sharing their own diverse experiences about pest management in Lake Tyers State Park and Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park.

This marks the Valley crew’s first baiting mission, following the successful completion of training by all seven team members earlier this year.

This program is part of a partnership agreement between GLaWAC and DEECA, aimed at building the capacity of our Natural Resource Management (NRM) crew as we continue to care for Country.