Project description

The 10ha reserve is the largest example of remnant Damp Forest on both private and public land in this area of South Gippsland. This EVC was extensively cleared in the late 1800’s for agriculture. The reserve today is under threat from some significant invasive weeds such as Tree Tobacco, Tutsan, Cape Ivy and Blackberry.

The voluntary group, Friends of Ritchie Reserve (FORR), meet once a month for a couple of hours to tackle weeds and carry out planting, without any external funding apart from some maintenance that is able to be carried out by Parks Victoria who manages the Reserve.

However, funding that is to target the most weed infested areas within the Reserve will enable the restoration of habitat and provide better protection for threatened plant species. The outcomes will be: 2500 plants to be planted, 3.48 ha of weed control.

An important aspect of the project is the education of local community on the importance of this Reserve, which would be achieved by holding a Community Open Day featuring a walk through the Reserve led by experienced ecologists from the Gippsland Threatened Species Action Group and field naturalists. An education activity with local school children will also be held and led by FORR and GTSAG members.