Telstra Purple steps up

Thanks to the Telstra crew for a morning of tough weed-pulling in the Southern Wetlands followed by planting on the steep slopes of the freshwater lake edge and along the steps up the hill. Thanks too to our core volunteers for making it happen.

The earth around the steps had eroded and our volunteers had filled them in with packed sand and laid logs all the way down the slope. The next step was to plant grasses and small herbs to stabilise the soil.

Job done!

Coastcare project 2022

People often turn a cheek to the saltmarsh, it has rarely captured interest in the same way our forests or flowering heathlands historically have. The slippery sedimentary soils, blaring heat and occasionally offensive odours don’t lure the passer-by, but the appeal is real.

Bands of colour and texture stand out as plants conform to their tolerable zones, these arrangements delicately defined by the conditions and the unique adaptations of constituent species. The prime adaptation of these plants is their ability to manage otherwise harmful levels of salt in their tissues, and for this they are referred to as halophytes, translating to salt plants. Classifying these plants is ambiguous but for the sake of providing context, one definition made is that halophytes are plants that survive to complete their life cycle in at least 200 mM salt. Under these conditions, all halophytic species have to regulate cellular Sodium, Chloride, and Potassium ions, but the pathways involved vary, and are not completely understood. Straying from the molecular level, some of the visible adaptations are the ability of plants to excrete salts to external bladders on their leaves as seen in our local Atriplex cinerea or compartmentalise it in vacuoles of succulent leaves like in Suaeda australis. Both of the aforementioned plants are in the family Chenopodiaceae, which has the most halophytes of any other plant family with an estimated 381 species.

Our saline lake and lagoons at Westgate Park provide conditions for a number of dycotyledonous and monocotyledonus halophytes. These plants survive in isolation of the dynamic interplay between upland freshwater flows and coastal saltwater influence. This hydrological flux is considered critical to the functionality of coastal saltmarsh systems and so our saltmarsh does not function in the way true Coastal Saltmarsh would, instead being more like Australia’s inland salt lakes. Nevertheless, this site provides habitat for a number of birds including Black-winged Stilt, Dotterels and other waterbirds such as the Chestnut Teal.  The plants here also give an insight into the history of the area and the remnant saltmarsh that occurred at the mouth of the Yarra River up until the early 2000s only a few hundred metres away at Webb Dock. 

A Coastcare Victoria grant gifted to our organisation from DELWP has provided the opportunity to engage our volunteers with these specially adapted plants. 

Volunteers have undertaken supervised seed collection of species including Streaked Arrow-Grass Triglochin striata, Rounded Noon-flower Disphyma crassifolium, Sea Rush Juncus krausii, Blackseed Glasswort Tecticornia pergranulata and Austral Seablite Suaeda australis. 

These have been germinated at the nursery and will be grown-on by volunteers to be planted back at the park, where weed control works targeting the noxious Spiny Rush Juncus acutus are underway. We have also been propagating cuttings of Creeping Brookweed Samolus repens that was saved before the development of the docks and has survived in stock boxes at the nursery since. Building on past revegetation works will continue to improve the aesthetic and ecological value of the site known to many as the Pink Lake. 

We will be continuing our work on this project for some time, so if people are interested in getting involved please reach out.

For those interested, a great local example of coastal saltmarsh similar to what would have occurred at Westgate where the Yarra meets the Bay can be found at Altona Coastal Park and is well worth a visit.

Holden Sayers, WBBNL staff

August 8 Bird survey

The park is in excellent condition, volunteers are busy, and visitors frequent. Most water bodies are almost full and hosting common froglets. Our prominent resident possum is still with us, half in and half out of its jagged hollow. Especially pleasing sightings were the three individual raptors, and the number of crested terns.

Volunteers wanted – working with seed

Some of our indigenous plants are grown by cuttings or division but most are propagated from seed.

Preparing seeds, or seed cleaning, is a hugely important role in our propagation process. But all it requires is an aptitude for careful and methodical work, guided by our staff, and a regular commitment to spending time with the team in our nursery at 525 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne.

Your reward is to see your seeds germinate, grow into seedlings and be pricked out into tubes.

You will know these seeds will become plants – tall trees, shrubs, wildflowers, sedges, grasses, groundcovers, and more – and that your efforts are making a difference, making Melbourne and the Sandbelt Region more biodiverse!

Here’s how to let us know you are interested:

Name(Required)


A few things to know about seeds

Not all indigenous plants are easy to propagate. Some are dormant for a period, others have evolved to germinate only after fire. Some need prolonged rain, others are quick to release their seeds making capture difficult.

Seeds are immensely varied in size, shape, method and time of dispersal. Most seeds have a protective coating, sometimes hard and woody. We use treatments like washing and soaking, ‘smoke water’, gentle sanding to remove all or part of the seed coat, periods of dry storage, hot or cold conditions or natural weathering.

Seeds can have papery ‘wings’ that make them more readily airborne or hairs or spikes to anchor the seed to the ground or a host.

Not all seed produced is viable and there is great diversity in time taken to ripen and the length of time seeds are viable after maturity.

For some species, germination is improved by the seed passing through the digestive system of an animal and this can be highly species-specific such as Ravens and the fruit of Alyxia.

Seed cleaning

  • Cleaning means separating the seed from everything else (pods, chaff., sticks and leaves).
  • You need to be sure you know what the seed looks like so you don’t keep the chaff by mistake.
  • For some species it’s possible to pick out the seed by hand
  • For others, hand sieves can be used to separate the seeds from everything else, using the right mesh size to catch the seeds on a sheet placed underneath.
  • Gentle blowing will remove the lighter chaff from the seed
  • Vibrating or shaking the seeds in a dish can help separate seeds
  • For grass species sometimes threshing or beating works best.

Storing seed

  • Seeds must be dried, weighed and sealed in airtight containers – glass jars with metal screw tops best protect the seeds from voracious mice and insects – and jars labelled for genus, species, date and location of collection, collection and drying method used, weight of seeds.
  • Seeds should be kept in a cool dry location away from direct sunlight.
  • Before storing, remove any seeds that show signs of insect damage, mould or fungus. Insect attack may appear as small holes in the seed or as a webbing over the seeds. Another tell-tale sign of insect presence is powder in the bottom of the container.
  • Check regularly to make sure seeds are insect-free. It is possible to kill insect pests using carbon dioxide, moth balls and rat bait. Keep records of checks and treatment used.

New Manager for Westgate Biodiversity

A warm welcome to Rhod Cunningham who joined the team this week as Manager of our operations.

She has a wealth of plant nursery experience, great knowledge of indigenous plant species and seed collection in Greater Melbourne. Rhod has a special interest in aquatic species and, in her spare time, works with the Wetland Revival Trust in north-central Victoria regenerating wetlands.

Meet two of our other staff:

Mars started with us as a volunteer and on staff for the last two and a half years. Mars is now a very competent all-rounder and will focus now on more community engagement and supporting volunteers.

Lilli joined us earlier in the year. A cheerful hard worker, Lilli’s strength is in propagation and exploring new methods to improve survival rates. Lilli is also very resourceful and handy with irrigation systems and fixing heat beds for better efficiency.

Fronting up on another cold wet day were some of our marvelous and longstanding volunteers, Bruce, Zoe and Van who are a joy to work with. Thank you!

July 4 Bird survey

In all, 44 bird species were recorded, including opportunistic sightings. Some highlights were the two Australian Pied Oystercatchers on the edge of the River by Peter Parrington (pictured), the Common Bronzewing pigeon, the Brown Thornbill and a Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater.

The native species in the largest numbers were:

  • New Holland Honeyeater: 65
  • Red Wattlebird: 62
  • Superb Fairy-wren: 57 (10 of them blue)

As always, the impossibly cute cygnets steal the show.

Volunteering at Westgate Park

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Position description – Manager Westgate Biodiversity

Position title

Date

Hours

Type of employment

Place of employment

Manager

June 2022

Full-time

Permanent

Bili Nursery, 525 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne and Westgate Park, 4 Wharf Road Port Melbourne


Position goals

  • To manage Bili Nursery and ensure it meets its operational requirements and strategic objectives
  • To develop business strategies that grow the nursery and continuously improve the organisation’s financial stability
  • To advance biodiversity through promotion of indigenous vegetation and Westgate Park
  • To measure the effectiveness of what we do

Key Responsibilities, Duties and Roles 

Bili Nursery (currently at Williamstown Road)

  • Adopt best practice systems and records in seed collection, storage and management and ensure adequate supplies of seed stock are held
  • Develop a detailed propagation schedule and meet orders on time
  • Ensure plant stocks are of high quality and maintained to be as weed-free as possible
  • Meet agreed KPIs for plant production, conduct regular stocktakes and account for failures
  • Build and maintain trusting partnerships and relationships with customers – councils, contractors, other nurseries and Landcare groups to build the business

Bili Landcare (at Westgate Park)

  • Assist the volunteer effort at Westgate Park through general advice and support
  • Provide organisational assistance with projects in for example citizen science, as required

General

  • Assist with development and implementation of the Strategic Plan 
  • Support the decision-making of the Committee with recommendations and business cases for initiatives, as required 
  • Attend Committee meetings
  • Identify operational and strategic risks and develop mitigation strategies.
  • Support activities and programs for community engagement 
  • Make recommendations to the Employment, Volunteers & OHS Sub Committee in staff employment and oversight of volunteer recruitment.
  • Develop and adhere to the approved annual budget unless otherwise agreed
  • Assist the Treasurer in keeping accurate financial records and preparing annual budgets 
  • Ensure compliance with current laws and contractual obligations, and report on these to the Committee
  • Provide support to the Committee and sub-committees in planning & developing the anticipated new works compound, community spaces and expanded nursery relocation to Westgate Park
  • Allocate and oversee work priorities and schedules in consultation with the Nursery & Landcare Sub Committee
  • Ensure that OH&S policies and procedures provide a safe, supportive working environment and comfortable working conditions

Business development

  • Assist with marketing and communications – website, social media, enews 
  • Oversee grant applications and acquittals
  • Keep abreast of best practice, current markets and competitors

Organisational Management and Teamwork

  • Build a culture with staff and volunteers that encourages high quality work and respectful relationships
  • Seek out staff development opportunities and actively participate in own role development opportunities
  • Conduct performance reviews of staff

Relationships and Accountabilities 

Reports to:              Committee of Management and its Sub Committees

Supervises directly:     Bili Nursery team

Works with:                 Bili Landcare volunteer group

Key relationships

  • Committee of Management, Sub Committees
  • Customers
  • Members and volunteers 
  • Members of the community, environmental groups, corporate groups, appropriate personnel in local, state and federal government departments

Accountability and extent of decision making

  • Required to regularly consult with and report to the Committee regarding overall work directions, operational plans and in the development of new initiatives.
  • Must ensure that policies and delegations of authority are adhered to.
  • Must ensure that appropriate regulations, standards and codes are adhered to and relevant legal, professional, and ethical obligations and particular contract specifications are met.

Key Selection Criteria

  • Demonstrated experience in nursery management, preferably in indigenous plants
  • Demonstrated sound team leadership, interpersonal relationships, and volunteer management skills
  • Exceptional communication, problem-solving and negotiation skills 
  • Ability to build networks and relationships with key stakeholders
  • Taking cost-effective approaches to program delivery.

Other relevant skills, knowledge and experience

  • Administrative skills in record-keeping and IT
  • Skills in managing time, setting priorities, planning and organising own work to achieve objectives efficiently and within available resources.
  • Ability to effectively discuss nursery management with counterparts in other organisations.

Requirements (must be current)First aid certificate

  • Working with Children certificate
  • Drivers’ license 
  • Chemical user certificate

Organisation Overview

Westgate Biodiversity: Bili Nursery & Landcare Inc. is a not for profit organisation established for the purpose of: 

(a) enhancing and protecting the natural environment and its biodiversity and 

(b) educating our members and the wider community on the importance of protecting and enhancing the natural environment, urban biodiversity, and healthy environments by growing and planting locally indigenous plant species and encouraging volunteering and community engagement with the natural environment. It:

  • Provides revegetation and maintenance of locally indigenous plants for Westgate Park.
  • Operates Bili Nursery to produce and supply indigenous plants to Westgate Park, local government, landscape contractors and the community.
  • Advocates for biodiversity through planting indigenous species, for public open space and for members and the general community to volunteer and engage with nature.

It is governed by an elected Committee of Management and its sub committees and has both paid staff and volunteers.
Bili Landcare has been revegetating the 40ha. Westgate Park for two decades – work done almost entirely by volunteers.

May 2 Bird survey

Welcome swallow
Main picture showing black swan and cygnets
Black swan with now mature cygnets (Pic: Ursula Dutkiewicz)

There were two notable sightings in the park over the past month as well as many familiar species.

Habitat on land and water in the park is in good condition. 

The various species of mistletoe that have been introduced over the last two years appear to be taking well. 

The water in the main lake is very clear. Construction works occupy a substantial area around the pumping station. 

There are two notable sightings from eBird: the reappearance of a Bassian Thrush last seen in the park on 22 December 2021; and a Musk Duck seen on 13 April by three observers. 

This is the first record of the latter in the park since these monthly surveys commenced in 2007. 

Images of these two species were uploaded to eBird by the observers. 

Big ACF effort

Members of the Australian Conservation Foundation – Macnamara Chapter – are very good friends of Westgate Biodiversity, regularly pitching in at Westgate Park. On Saturday they pulled out a massive pile of weeds from a part of the Park alongside the Yarra River bank. It’s a section of the Park where our indigenous plant species are doing well so we were keen to stop the weeds taking over this lovely garden bed.

They also planted 250 grasses, Pelargoniums and Carpobrotus modestus – Pigface, where once were weeds. Rain this week should mean good survival rates.

Thank you ACF Macnamara!