Rethinking Habitat Management for Threatened Reptiles and Frogs east of Melbourne

Rethinking Habitat Management for Threatened Reptiles & Frogs East of Melbourne –
with David De Angelis

Our understanding of the types of habitats used by threatened frogs and reptiles is increasingly developing. In some cases, assumptions about the best way to manage revegetation, weed control and fire can result in poorer outcomes for local populations. We will visit several sites where David will explain why habitat structure and land management history are often more important for the survival of reptiles and frogs than whether the plants they live among are indigenous or introduced. We will also discuss some of the difficulties managing populations that are increasingly being recognised as living in habitats that might otherwise be perceived as being too highly disturbed, polluted or weedy. Species that will be discussed include the Glossy Grass Skink, Swamp Skink, Growling Grass Frog and Southern Toadlet.

Our guide – David De Angelis:

David is an ecological consultant and environmental educator with a background in ecological land management, having worked on wetland and bush crews early in his career. He is particularly interested in the conservation and ecology of reptiles and frogs, having surveyed and written habitat management plans for the threatened species will be discussing.

Locations:

1st location: Tirhatatuan Wetlands Conservation Park, Rowville. Meet 10:00am opposite 24 Illawarra Avenue. (Melbourne Water Land)

2nd location: Bayswater north, meet at the south end of Market drive off Canterbury Road (Maroondah land)

3rd location: Bungalook Conservation Reserves, Kilsyth South. Meet at 7 Tereddan drive, enter Tereddan Drive off Liverpool road (DO NOT believe your GPS there is no vehicle access to Tereddan Drive from the west of the site)

Terrain – Across slashed grass, formed paths, single file tracks, up and down steep embankments.

Wear/Bring – Closed solid shoes, long pants, water, food, any medications you may need. Dress for the weather forecast of the day i.e. wet weather clothes, sun hat. Fold up chair/something to sit on for lunch.