Ledcourt, VIC

Multiple Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) exist within the Wimmera bioregion where Ledcourt is located. Greenfleet is restoring four threatened Woodland Ecosystems across this project. Woodland ecosystems provide many benefits to the environment, such as improving soil and water quality and providing habitat for wildlife. They also help to sequester carbon and mitigate climate change by storing carbon in the soil and trees. 

The endangered ecosystems within Ledcourt are the Plains Grassy Woodland and Plains Woodland, with Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland and Riparian Woodland listed as vulnerable. 

We are working to plant species that will bolster the existing species and further strengthen the growth of these Woodlands. 

The planting at Ledcourt is being completed with a combination of seedlings and seeds sown into the soil. In total, we have planted 19 locally native tree and plant species at Ledcourt to restore the cleared areas and strengthen the remnant vegetation with ground cover species. As well as planting seedlings, 40 kilograms of seeds were dispersed across Ledcourt using drone technology. 

Greenfleet has guarded some of the young seedlings planted at Ledcourt while they establish to protect them from browsing. Through our ongoing monitoring of the site, we will remove these guards over the coming years.  

Species planted include Australian Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon), Sweet Bursaria (Bursaria spinosa) and Prickly Tea-tree (Leptospermum myrsinoides) which will provide refuge for small birds, with the flowers becoming a nectar source for birds, insects and butterflies. Greenfleet also planted Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora) which is one of the four eucalypt species chosen to help form the forest canopy. 

The Grampians region is known for its picturesque views and hiking trails. The site at Ledcourt adjoins the Grampians National Park and the Mount William Creek, which is home to platypus, kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas and emus.  

While koala populations can occur in the Grampians themselves, there have not been any near Ledcourt for many years. This is due to land clearing and a reduction in their habitat and food trees. One of the canopy species Greenfleet has planted at Ledcourt is River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) which is a preferred food source for koalas. By planting koala habitat and food trees, this forest may one day provide homes for these beloved animals. 

The forest at Ledcourt is legally protected for 100 years so this long-term restoration work will provide potential habitat to many wildlife species as the forest grows.