For information on managing native vegetation to reduce the impact of bushfire, refer to Council Services, Fire Protection, Native Vegetation
Mistletoe
Mistletoe in the Clare & Gilbert Valleys
The Mistletoe Action Group was involved for 10 years from 2000 in a scientifically based program approved by the Native Vegetation Council to manage Box Mistletoe in the Clare & Gilbert Valleys. This included experiments in fencing woodland remnants, selective lopping, monitoring possum predation on mistletoes and revegetation of understorey near remnant trees, along with photopoint monitoring and an education program about living with mistletoe.
Their booklet 'Living with Mistletoe' (published July 2004) is a valuable resource for understanding the facts and myths about mistletoe, the vital role it plays in wildlife and provides technical notes on the selective control of mistletoe and a guide to getting habitats back in balance.
Spring Gully Conservation Park
Spring Gully Conservation Park is an important part of the Natural Heritage of the Clare & Gilbert Valleys region. This conservation park is the only reserve in South Australia to protect red stringybarks (Eucalyptus machorryncha). This eucalypt speciesis a r elic plant community left behind from a wetter time, the nearest populations occur in the Grampians and Cape Otway in Victoria, or near Dubbo in New South Wales.
Magnificent views of the park and surrounding areas can be seen while walking along some of the park's trails.These include Cascades Walk and Wymans Hike. The Cascades Walk leads down to the creek bed of Spring Gully and an attractive series of cascades mayoccur following rain.
Fauna within the park includes Western Grey Kangaroos, Euros, Brush-tailed possums, several bat species, shingle-back lizards and bearded dragons. Along the creeklines up to six species of amphibiams can be found including thebrown tree frog and the spotted grass frog. The park is an excellent site for bird watching, as over fifty species of birds have been observed including thornbills, tree-creepers, red-rumped parrots and white-winged choughs.
Friends of Spring Gully Conservation Park assist park managers with projects within the park including walking trail maintenance, weed abatement and flora surveys.
For further information on Spring Gully Conservation Park, please contact the National Parks and Department of Environment & Natural Resources Mid North - 155 Main North Road, Clare 5453, phone number 8841 3400.
Roadside Vegetation Survey
Roadside vegetation is important for the conservation of individual species and plant communities across the landscape. It is also an important source of seeds for local revegetation projects and serves as wind breaks to reduce erosion or provide wildlife refuge or corridors.
A survey of vegetation on road reserves in the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council was conducted in November and December 2001. This survey provides valuable information regarding the distribution of rare and endangered flora; proclaimed environmental weeds; potential Bushcare and RMS sites; and locations of mistletoe populations. This information can be used as a planning tool for developing and implementing remnant native vegetation management strategies, planning recreational management and trail development.
There is a wide selection of important native plants and vegetation associations identified in the roadside vegetation survey. Using this information, the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council, together with the community, will develop strategies for the long-term sustainable management of those plants and vegetation associations.