Enhancing Biodiversity & Protecting Cultural Heritage at Torrens Island Conservation
- YEAR: 2021
- STATE: South Australia
- FOCUS AREAS: Cultural Heritage/Growing Parks/Healing our Land/Saving Species/SDG 15: Life on Land
Torrens Island Conservation, located 15km north-west of Adelaide, provides important habitat for a range of native fauna species, including 69 bird species of conservation significance, as well as cultural historical importance. The Kaurna People have lived in the Torrens Island area for thousands of years, but the woodland has degraded, and regeneration is not occurring naturally due to weed burdens and past failed revegetation attempts. FNPW have awarded Friends of Torrens Island a Community Conservation Grant to help restore the woodland.
FNPW support
This project was funded through generous donations from FNPW supporters across Australia and beyond.
Grant round: Community Conservation Grants 2021
Project overview
The project aims to undertake a trial of new revegetation technology using biodegradable water vessel technology, the Cocoon Plant Incubator which eliminates irrigation by supporting a tree/seedling through its critical establishment phase with a reservoir of water and moisture. Very water-wise, the incubator only requires one fill of 25 litres at planting to help establish deeper tap roots for improved plant/tree sustainability, which will help fix past watering problems. The incubator will increase native vegetation, reduce weed competition and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Revegetation is essential to increase the biodiversity of the woodland. Part of the Conservation Park is a significant site for Kaurna People, as 70 people were repatriated to the area 200 years after being removed. The trial will be partly undertaken within the repatriation site, where Kaurna youth will be completing the work overseen by Kaurna Elders. Sixty incubators will be set up, with twenty used in two separate locations with the Park and the final twenty within the repatriation zone. The team will undertake observation to compare the same number of species planted in an incubator vs planted normally into the sand, as well as monitoring the growth and overall survival over 12 months.
LOCATION
This project is undertaken on the traditional lands of the Kaurna people.
FNPW supports projects across Australia. In the spirit of reconciliation the we acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
PROGRESS OF THIS PROJECT
The project is ongoing, due for completion on the 11/04/22. Please scroll down to Latest News for project updates.
This project was funded in 2021.
PROJECT PARTNERS
Friends of Torrens Island is the lead organisation for this project in collaboration with the Kaurna people, Marine Parks Rangers and Green Adelaide Coastal team.
Further information about our project partner can be found on their Facebook: Friends of Torrens Island