Greenfleet has restored legally protected native forests in South Gippsland for over 25 years. Focused on delivering climate action, restoring nature, and protecting native biodiversity, our work is making a significant contribution to the environment.
Now, we are undertaking the region’s biggest biodiversity project with the creation of our Strzelecki Nature Link on Boonwurrung Country.
Made up of four Greenfleet-owned properties, it will form a 3.5-kilometre stretch of contiguous koala habitat. By planting locally native tree species, the establishment of the Strzelecki Nature Link will deliver climate action by removing carbon and ensure safe passage for wildlife.
Location & Map
The Strzelecki Nature Link (SNL) is located in Victoria’s lush South Gippsland region. Southeast of Melbourne, this is an ecologically rich area known for its high rainfall and productive land. The four properties cover approximately 195 hectares and are located at the headwaters of the Lang Lang River.
Biodiversity Outcomes
Strzelecki Koalas Discovered
South Gippsland is home to some of the strongest koala populations in Australia. Greenfleet is creating and extending habitat for these iconic animals by restoring protected native forests in this region.
Using genome testing, we have confirmed that Strzelecki koalas are utilising the forest at Wurneet Laang Laang, the most established forest in the Strzelecki Nature Link. Restored between 2016 and 2021, Wurneet Laang Laang offers an insight into what the entire link will look like within the next decade.
Strzelecki koalas are significant because they descend from Victoria’s original koala gene pool and have not been translocated from French or Phillip Islands. Their population may hold valuable insights relating to the survival of koalas in other parts of Australia, especially in Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT where they are now endangered.
Nesting Box Installation
While some species of wildlife can utilise a forest after just a few years of growth, others require established trees that can take decades or more to mature. To support local wildlife, we installed 48 thermal nesting boxes in the Strzelecki Nature Link.
The installed Thermal Haven Nest Boxes® were designed and manufactured by Bird Habitats. The nest boxes offer species a similar thermal profile to a natural hollow, and buffer temperature extremes. The new homes have been tested in full sun exposure.
This project was the ideal choice to install these boxes as the region is known for its abundant native birdlife and other small tree-dwelling animals. These boxes are providing immediate homes and accelerating the biodiversity outcomes for the region’s native birdlife and marsupials.
Within months of the boxes being installed, sugar gliders were seen to be using the boxes.
Return Of Native Birdlife
One of the first signs of biodiversity returning is the presence of local birdlife. At the Strzelecki Nature Link we are already observing this, particularly in Wurneet Laang Laang.
Ongoing bird surveys by researcher Dr Cara Sambell have demonstrated the return of species such as the spotted pardalote, superb fairy-wren, and the grey shrike-thrush. The vulnerable gang-gang cockatoo is seen regularly in the growing forest at Wurneet Laang Laang.
This project is also expanding habitat for known local native birds including nankeen kestrels and black-shouldered kites. They inhabit the remnant vegetation on the properties and will benefit from this native forest as it grows.
Four Properties Make Up The Strzelecki Nature Link
Wurneet Laang Laang
Wurneet Laang Laang is the most established project within the Strzelecki Nature Link. Greenfleet revegetated this 60-hectare property between 2016 and 2021. Species planted here include manna gum (Eucalyptus viminallis) and blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) which are forming the forest canopy.
Bromfields Road
Adjoining the Lang Lang River, Bromfields Road connects to Wurneet Laang Laang, creating a considerable biodiversity link. This project is providing habitat for the swift parrot and Strzelecki koala and restoring the critically endangered Strzelecki gum(Eucalyptus strzeleckii), which is endemic to this area.
Mt Emily
Mt Emily is made up of about 60 hectares at the north eastern perimeter of Wurneet Laang Laang. This property consists of steep hills with incised valleys and is part of the upper catchment of the Lang Lang River. The restoration will help reduce erosion, improving soil and water quality.
Territory
Territory is an 54-hectare site right at the centre of the Strzelecki Nature Link. With frontage to the Lang Lang River, revegetation of this property will help enhance water quality and create a contiguous habitat corridor stretching from the river to the tallest peak in the area.
Climate Action
The forests growing at the Strzelecki Nature Link are legally protected for 100 years. Over that time, they will combine to remove over 423,000 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere, which is the equivalent of what almost 98,400 average vehicles emit on Australia’s roads in a single year.