The Illawarra Regional Threatened Flora Recovery Program coordinates the recovery planning of six threatened plant species on the Illawarra coastal plain and escarpment slopes.
Established in April 2001, the program is coordinated by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), with assistance from Southern Rivers CMA.
The subject species of the recovery program were selected because they are listed as endangered under State (Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995) and Commonwealth (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) legislation. The species include:
- Illawarra Zieria (Zieria granulata);
- Illawarra Socketwood (Daphnandra sp. C 'Illawarra');
- Illawarra Irene (Irenepharsus trypherus);
- Pink Rice Flower (Pimelea spicata);
- Whiteflowered Wax Plant (Cynanchum elegans);
- Illawarra Greenhood Orchid (Pterostylis gibbosa).
While the habitats of these species differ, the threatening processes that affect them are similar, including:
- The further loss and fragmentation of habitat due to residential development, quarrying, clearing for agriculture and road construction;
- Habitat degradation and physical damage to plants from weed invasion, slashing, grazing,
trampling, altered hydrological conditions and inappropriate fire regimes.
As part of this recovery program, DEC is holding site meetings with landholders to locate these species on their properties and discuss possible conservation measures. The recovery program also includes:
- regular meetings of a recovery team of key regional stakeholders;
- the establishment of conservation agreements with landholders;
- implementation of on-ground threat abatement works including weed control and fencing; surveys of potential habitat;
- research and monitoring programs;
- the implementation of a long term seed storage program.
DEC will be conducting surveys of potential habitat for the Illawarra Socketwood throughout 2005 on properties located below the Illawarra escarpment between Stanwell Park and the Shoalhaven River which contain rainforest vegetation.
For further information on the program and to register for inclusion in these surveys please contact Martin Bremner, Threatened Species Officer, NSW Department of Environment and Conservation on (02) 9585 6826 or martin.bremner@environment.nsw.gov.au. The Daphnandra newsletter also provides details of the key events that are associated with the Illawarra Regional Threatened Flora Recovery Program. To receive a copy of this newsletter, please contact Martin Bremner.
Click here for a list of our Nationally Threatened Species
