Conservation Activities
Conservation work taking place on KICLA properties
Kangaroo Island Conservation Landowners Association members actively manage their properties for nature conservation purposes.
Re-vegetation and land restoration
Long-standing projects on properties that have now joined KICLA include creating corridors for wildlife, Boxthorn eradication, weed control of Bridal creeper, Bridal veil and One Leaf Tulip and measures to prevent the spread of phytophthora, understory recovery and the revegetation of old pasture or cropping land. Both tube stock seedling planting and direct seeding techniques have been used successfully in diverse locations. Plantings of Drooping sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata) are grown from seeds collected from those trees selected for feeding by Glossy black cockatoos.
Plant and invertebrate identification
A number of owners have made careful records and even collections of species, and expertise exists within the group and elsewhere on the island to do that work well.
Some member properties are networked into national survey programs, while others are yet to begin surveying what they have. Workshops on specific aspects of plant ID and herbarium building can be organised, as can events on the ID of insects. Some properties with ample supplies of native plant seed allow DEW staff to collect there for official nursery seed stocks.
Wildlife surveying
Member properties set up motion detection cameras to monitor wildlife species diversity with assistance offered by the Land for Wildlife team. This led to exciting new finds of KI dunnart colonies and southern brown bandicoot populations that were previously unknown.
Drone-mounted infrared sensing was trialled on several properties, enabling wildlife survey and removal of feral cats.
Property visits by the KI Bird Group provide rapid and accurate survey by a group of skilled observers. Hosting such skilled visitors, whatever their area of natural history expertise, is a great way to share the property with others, meet enthusiasts and experts, and gain excellent data, all at the same time and for free.
One property has hosted an outing by the KI Bird Group which resulted in a rapid and accurate survey by a group of skilled observers. Hosting such skilled visitors, whatever their area of natural history expertise, is a great way to share the property with others, meet enthusiasts and experts, and gain excellent data, all at the same time and for free.
Other properties have had archaeologists visit and conduct surveys and prepare records of Aboriginal artefacts and their locations. The rule here is photograph and GPS, but leave them in place!
Animal pest eradication
Feral cats and pigs remain serious invasive pests on KI, and are the targets of long-term eradication programs. The island successfully eliminated feral goats and feral deer in 2018.
The use of motion detection cameras and cage trapping on members’ properties invariably detects and catches more feral cats than expected. A short video on the KI cat problem is available at Feral Free : Cat Eradication Plans to make Kangaroo Island cat-free.
Co-ordination and networking
Many members’ properties are registered under State Heritage Agreements, and they can advise on what is involved and what official support is available. Knowledge of Council and State government networks also assists members tap into funding schemes that support re-vegetation, fencing and pest and weed control. Expertise and experience can also be found in developing property conservation plans, and with the mapping, surveying and job planning that may be involved.
Other networks assist with the building of nest boxes for birds and bats, or with schools seeking opportunities for outdoor learning.
Community networks build connections that can be drawn on for assistance in good times and in emergencies.
