Queensland Trust For Nature

Author: Michael Beaumont

  • Measuring impact over the long-term

    Measuring impact over the long-term

    QTFN’s trial roll out of the award-winning Accounting for Nature® Framework at Koala Crossing provided an initial Environmental Condition Index (EcondTM) score/s for the property in 2020.

    A score between 0 and 100 that describes the condition of the asset relative to its undegraded state, early estimates of the the Econd™ for Koala Crossing point to strong improvements in the condition of native vegetation (40 to 70), native mammals (40 to 60) and importantly, the koala (68 to 82) in the five years QTFN has been managing the property.

    The next step is for QTFN to register the project on the Accounting for Nature® public registry and seek third party verification and certification.

    The Accounting for Nature® Framework and EcondTM reporting is being rolled out to other QTFN properties in the future, starting with Aroona Station.

  • Surviving and thriving

    Surviving and thriving

    QTFN’s research partnership with the University of Queensland’s Koala Ecology Group is providing vital information on the movements, health and habits of the koala population at Koala Crossing.

    Data from Spot Assessment Technique (SAT) surveys conducted in 2015 and 2019 show Koala Crossing’s koala population has increased in density, with the proportion of sites with koala activity increasing from 75 per cent to 83 per cent.

    In 2020, opportunistic scat surveys conducted across the property confirmed active koala occupancy, providing further proof of a healthy (and growing) koala population.

  • New Hope Group at Avoid Island

    New Hope Group at Avoid Island

    In November 2017, we had the pleasure of hosting a group of corporate volunteers from the New Hope Group.

    During their two-day trip to Avoid Island, the enthusiastic team rolled up their sleeves and got hands-on with recording species data as well as habitat restoration and beach clean-up activities.

    These activities are critical at the beginning of flatback turtle nesting season to ensure the beaches are free of marine debris that the turtles (and other marine life) could ingest.

    Restoration work also included removing weeds that can prevent access to nesting beaches for the flatback turtles.

  • Totally Wild

    Totally Wild

    Our favourite kid’s wildlife show, Totally Wild, filmed episodes on two QTFN properties in 2017!

    The elusive brush-tailed rock wallaby was the star of two episodes filmed at Aroona. Four episodes were made with 10 lucky year nine students and Wonder of Science ambassadors attending Flatback Bivouac at Avoid Island.

    Watch episodes here:

    Season 24 – episode 146 (about 20 mins and 20 seconds in)

    Season 24 – episode 147 (about 12 mins in)

    Season 25 – episode 24 (about 4 mins 55 seconds in)

  • Aroona Reptile Survey

    Aroona Reptile Survey

    On a very wet weekend in October 2017, 50 dedicated volunteers braved the weather to take part in our annual reptile and amphibian survey at Aroona.

    Our participants discovered six frog species and eight new reptile species that hadn’t been found at the property previously. But the icing on the (soggy) cake was our first sighting of a koala at Aroona!

    The data collected during this survey will be used to inform the management of the property and has been provided to Queensland’s WildNet database.

    Once identified, species were released exactly where they were captured.

  • Planting for impact

    Planting for impact

    In partnership with C4 and fellow Cassowary Coast conservation group, Brettacorp Inc., QTFN has piloted the use of the Miyawaki planting method on two plots on its Gurrbum Reserve to accelerate rainforest reforestation on the property.

    A globally recognised planting method, Miyawaki is proven to create fast growing, high density, high biodiversity and high carbon sequestration forests, with significantly reduced weed and maintenance requirements.

    In just over 12 months, the growth rate on the first 100m2 plot on Gurrbum Reserve, funded by Sugi, is astounding – with habitat trees planted reaching over four metres in height.

    The second 240m2 plot, planted in August 2020 with the help of 13 students from The Rainforest School in Mission Beach, their families and community volunteers and funded by the Australian Government’s Communities Environment Program, is regarded to be the largest Miyawaki forest to be planted in Australia to date.

    Each Miyawaki plot on Gurrbum Reserve features 75-plus plant species and up to 4 trees per square metre.

  • Cassowary habitat revegetation

    Cassowary habitat revegetation

    Thanks to the Queensland Department of Environment and Science, for funding our project to restore a critical link in Cassowary habitat within the Smith’s Gap Corridor, in Queensland’s Wet Tropics Region.

    This generous grant will allow us to plant 16,000 trees, over 4 hectares and weed a further 10.5 hectares at Gurrbum Reserve, a property recently purchased by Queensland Trust for Nature in partnership with C4 (Community for Coastal and Cassowary Conservation).

    The project, in conjunction with revegetation within the National Park and construction of a fauna land bridge across the Bruce Highway, will allow cassowaries and other wildlife to move through forested area over the highway and into the Walter Hill Conservation Park and through it to the Djiru National Park adjoining Wongaling Beach.

     

  • Ipswich City Council Enviro Organisation Award

    Ipswich City Council Enviro Organisation Award

    Our CEO, Steve Lacey, was honoured to accept the 2019 Ipswich City Council Enviro Organisation Award on behalf of the QTFN team.

    The award recognised multiple activities to support threatened species and control predators at our 2000 ha cattle property, Aroona Station, 55km southwest of Ipswich.

    In accepting the award, Steve acknowledged the phenomenal legacy of Dr Robin and Kathleen Stock who donated Aroona to QTFN in 2015. Their desire to see Aroona sustainably managed for both its production and conservation value, inspires our ambitious work at the property.

    Congratulations to joint Enviro Organisation Award winner, Springfield Lakes Nature Care, recognised for delivering environmental projects and events around Ipswich.

    Thanks to our cattle manager, Chris Schreiweis, education partner Wonder of Science, delivery, project and business partners, as well as many community volunteers for helping us achieve our vision for Aroona.

    Learn more about our work at Aroona

  • Koala Crossing Reawakens!

    Koala Crossing Reawakens!

    Three years on, Koala Crossing is transforming! Planted in 2016 in partnership with our friends at Greenfleet, more than 90,000 trees are revitalising the landscape.

    As you can see, the plantings are well on their way to providing new habitat for koala and other local wildlife.

    Careful treatment of weeds followed by substantial recent rains has helped the trees survive critical drought conditions.

    Habitat created at Koala Crossing will provide important connectivity for koalas in the Flinders Karawatha corridor, the largest remaining stretch of open eucalypt forest in the region.

     

  • Joining forces to build cassowary connections

    Joining forces to build cassowary connections

    QTFN has joined forces again with (C4) Community for Coastal and Cassowary Conservation organisation to secure more habitat for cassowaries.

    We were pleased to acquire part of a significant wildlife corridor at Smiths Gap, north of Tully.

    Over 10,000 trees will now be planted to provide safe avenues for cassowary movement, in partnership with C4 and Terrain NRM.

  • QTFN Appoints New CEO

    QTFN Appoints New CEO

    We are delighted to announce the appointment of Steve Lacey as our new Chief Executive Officer.

    Steve brings a unique perspective with over 10 years’ experience managing and consulting in Australia for state and national agricultural groups in the areas of risk, productivity and profitability, natural resource management and natural capital.

    Prior to joining QTFN, Steve was the Manager – Natural Capital for AgForce Queensland Farmers Ltd.

    Combining his strong stakeholder networks and passion for conservation, presents an exciting opportunity to build new alliances to benefit Queensland’s natural environment.

    Steve picks up from Nerida Bradley who has taken up the position as CEO of the Australian Land Conservation Alliance, after growing QTFN in to a thriving and sustainable business.

    We would like to thank Nerida for her dedication and commitment, and we are pleased she will continue in an advisory capacity managing commercial projects.

    Read More

  • Sandy and Purga Creek Koala Research Project

    Sandy and Purga Creek Koala Research Project

    Queensland Trust for Nature, Scenic Rim Regional Council, the New Hope Group and UQ’s Koala Ecology Group partnered to undertake important koala research in the Peak Crossing area.

    Our research aims to investigate habitat use of koalas along Sandy and Purga Creeks, between the Flinders-Goolman Reserve and the town of Peak Crossing. GPS tracking devices placed on koalas will monitor their movements over several months.

    Data retrieved from collars fitted to koalas we capture in the study will describe movement patterns and reveal which sites are most popular.