.jpg)
We humans have a unique ability to heal and help the web of life around us thrive. Actively doing this by getting our hands dirty on a block of land is part of our vision for the property ‘Murrindal.’
Located on 400 acres in East Gippsland, Murrindal is wedged between Errinundra and Croajingalong National Parks. The awe-inspiring views of the Combienbar Mountains have not a house or road in sight. Parts of the property have spectacular warm temperate rainforest bordering the Bemm and Goolengook Rivers.
Other parts have been grazed, logged or burnt by the 2019 bushfires. These are the areas that we’re giving our care and attention to through on the ground rehabilitation works.
This striking bird had nearly 40% of its habitat impacted by the 2019 bushfires, which included areas of she-oak trees, their main source of food. They pick and crush the cones of the female she-oak tree with their massive, rounded bills. Being so reliant on one tree species for food puts these birds at great risk, because land clearing and fire have significantly reduced the number of these trees available.
A few months after the 2019 fires, a flock of Glossy Black Cockatoos was seen many hundreds of kilometres south of their range at the Frankston Botanic Gardens. They stayed in the gardens’ large stand of mature she-oak trees for about a week. While exciting for the bird-watchers of Melbourne to catch a glimpse of this rare bird so far south of its territory, it was a sad testimony to the lack of food available in Gippsland.
We know, however, that just as that stand of she-oaks in Frankston provided welcomed food for those hungry Glossy Blacks, the 300 she-oaks that we plant will, someday too, feed the Glossy Black Cockatoos of the future.
Want to join us? Book here and we'll see you at Murrindal in September!
Like to see exactly where we'll be planting? Watch the short video below as Rob gets the site ready planting day.
