Eurobodalla Landcare is working hard to ensure the survival of the one of the last-remaining species of Warty Ziera in the Shire.
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Warty Ziera is a small bush with "delicate white flowers" according to a Landcare spokesperson.
"There are only 3000 remaining in the wild, meaning the work undertaken by Eurobodalla Landcare is crucial in its recovery and re-establishment," the spokesperson said.
"It's been two years since bushfires ravaged much of the east coast of NSW, and since the fires invasive species such as Lantana have flourished without any competition hindering the recovery of the more delicate species.
"Funding through the Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants will ensure that local landholders will have the resources to remove the hardy invasive species and work to ensure widespread recovery of Warty Ziera."
Eurobodalla Shire Council Environment Project Officer, Tom Gear, says the involvement of a collaboration of private landholders and widespread community engagement will mean that habitat opportunities may increase for Warty Ziera.
"This project is about building community collaboration and participation in protecting and supporting threatened species," he said.
"Most of the habitat of the remaining plants is on private land and so community-led involvement means we are helping everyone take a targeted widespread approach to recovery."
The project, held at Tilba on the South Coast of NSW, will be held at six key management sites and involve the managers of all land tenure where the species is known to exist.
Tom said the project will work with landholders to deal with invasive species such as Lantana and Blackberry and help support and identify existing sites.
"Warty Ziera is very habitat-specific, and its distribution isn't wide. It can be found primarily on rocky habitat with shallow soils and a northerly aspect so we will be working directly with private landholders with weed control to help free up habitat areas so that existing plants can thrive.
"The wider Central Tilba and Tilba Tilba community, including residents and local landholders, Tilba Landcare and business owners will also be engaged in this project through education events and opportunities."
The Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery project has been supported by the Australian Government's Bushfire Recovery Program for Wildlife and their Habitat.
Key statistics
- - Warty Zieria (Zieria tuberculata) is exclusively found in the Tilba area around the base of Mt Guluga and Najanuga
- - The project includes provision of spray packs that can be borrowed by residents to assist weed control in Warty Zieria habitat.
- - Given the species preference for shallow rocky soils, we can target potential and existing Warty Zieria habitat with our weed control efforts.
- - Community education on the species is vital, many locals aren't aware of the species and its limited distribution or its Vulnerable Conservation Status.
