Enhancing Biodiversity & Protecting Cultural Heritage at Torrens Island Conservation

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.