Habitat 141° Zone 2 “Wimmera Rivers, Woodlands and Wetlands”
Habitat 141º is a 50-year visionary initiative to protect, restore and reconnect the iconic landscapes that straddle the SA and Victorian borders to the NSW rangelands. This area is considered a biodiversity hot-spot and one of the few places in Australia where wilderness areas form a series of stepping stones encompassing heathland, mallee country, red gum forests, flood plains, grassy woodlands and our southern most coastal areas.
The South-west Wimmera is one of 9 zones which make up Habitat 141°. It is bounded by Bool Lagoon (SA) in the west, The Grampians in the east, the Little Desert to the north and the Glenelg River catchment to the south.
The South-west Wimmera or Zone 2 of Habitat 141° supports a diversity of unique flora and fauna both aquatic and terrestrial . Achieving connectivity in this landscape will allow species movement between the Grampians and Little Desert National Parks, Glenelg River and across to the internationally significant wetland, Bool Lagoon in South Australia. Rich in natural assets, this landscape is also known as the sheep and wheat belt of Victoria, supporting productive agricultural enterprises. There are a number of vibrant small towns within the zone. There are many opportunities to build on and increase the connectivity of the network of large intact remnant vegetation in this landscape. Investment into H141 in zone 2 is also made more attractive by the existence of a highly active NRM sector.
The South-west Wimmera is one of 9 zones which make up Habitat 141°. It is bounded by Bool Lagoon (SA) in the west, The Grampians in the east, the Little Desert to the north and the Glenelg River catchment to the south.
The South-west Wimmera or Zone 2 of Habitat 141° supports a diversity of unique flora and fauna both aquatic and terrestrial . Achieving connectivity in this landscape will allow species movement between the Grampians and Little Desert National Parks, Glenelg River and across to the internationally significant wetland, Bool Lagoon in South Australia. Rich in natural assets, this landscape is also known as the sheep and wheat belt of Victoria, supporting productive agricultural enterprises. There are a number of vibrant small towns within the zone. There are many opportunities to build on and increase the connectivity of the network of large intact remnant vegetation in this landscape. Investment into H141 in zone 2 is also made more attractive by the existence of a highly active NRM sector.
Environmental significance of Habitat 141° Zone 2
Environmental significance of Habitat 141° Zone 2
The South-west Wimmera or Zone 2 of Habitat 141° is recognised as an important area within the broader Habitat 141° region for enhancing connectivity. The zone contains many natural areas of significance including:
· The Wimmera River and its tributaries which form an existing wildlife corridor.
· The Natimuk-Douglas Chain of Lakes supports over 1% of the world populations of Australian Shelducks, Banded Stilts, Red-necked Avocets and Red-capped Plovers.
· Significant State parks and reserves form part of Habitat 141° Zone 2 including the Black Range State Park, Mount-Arapiles-Tooan State Park, Jilpanger Nature Conservation Reserve and the Nurcoung Flora and Fauna Reserve.
· The West Wimmera plains are famous for their giant Redgums and whispering stands of Bulokes, are flanked by small pockets of remnant plains grassland.
· West Wimmera also comprise 25 per cent of all non-riverine wetlands in Victoria.
· Bool and Hacks Lagoon in South Australia a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.
· Mosquito Creek is the major feeding stream of this World Heritage Site, and is home to endangered native fish species.
Zone 2 is also host to many species from national and Victorian endangered lists. These include the Malleefowl, red-tailed black cockatoo, platypus, bush stone curlew, growling grass frog, brolga, blue-billed duck, freckled duck, golden-rayed blue butterfly, red-necked avocet, red capped plover, salt paperbark, ridged water-milfoil and swamp sheoak.
The South-west Wimmera or Zone 2 of Habitat 141° is recognised as an important area within the broader Habitat 141° region for enhancing connectivity. The zone contains many natural areas of significance including:
· The Wimmera River and its tributaries which form an existing wildlife corridor.
· The Natimuk-Douglas Chain of Lakes supports over 1% of the world populations of Australian Shelducks, Banded Stilts, Red-necked Avocets and Red-capped Plovers.
· Significant State parks and reserves form part of Habitat 141° Zone 2 including the Black Range State Park, Mount-Arapiles-Tooan State Park, Jilpanger Nature Conservation Reserve and the Nurcoung Flora and Fauna Reserve.
· The West Wimmera plains are famous for their giant Redgums and whispering stands of Bulokes, are flanked by small pockets of remnant plains grassland.
· West Wimmera also comprise 25 per cent of all non-riverine wetlands in Victoria.
· Bool and Hacks Lagoon in South Australia a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.
· Mosquito Creek is the major feeding stream of this World Heritage Site, and is home to endangered native fish species.
Zone 2 is also host to many species from national and Victorian endangered lists. These include the Malleefowl, red-tailed black cockatoo, platypus, bush stone curlew, growling grass frog, brolga, blue-billed duck, freckled duck, golden-rayed blue butterfly, red-necked avocet, red capped plover, salt paperbark, ridged water-milfoil and swamp sheoak.