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• Ranger’s wrap

Ranger’s wrap

Conserving a natural area of over 18 250ha, with over 100km of boundary, poses many challenges, especially in the monitoring of user entry and activities. Many users ‘do the right thing’, however some users’ activity damages the Park’s environment. I thought I’d take this opportunity to summarise some of the major threats to the values of our Park, and outline ways in which you, the user, can help to minimise them.

Fire is a natural disturbance in Wellington Park, and many species are adapted to it, nevertheless, it can cause local species extinctions, degrade water supplies, encourage weed infestation and destroy life and property. The Trust reduces the impact of unplanned fire events by using planned burns and by placing restrictions on where and when fires may be lit in the Park. Most fires occurring within Wellington Park are caused by humans, and Park users can assist in wildfire reduction by observing fire bans, lighting fires only in designated picnic/barbecue areas, by reporting any illegal or unattended fires, blocked fire trails, illegal trail–bike use or any other ‘suspicious’ behaviour to the Ranger or Tasmania Police (000).

Erosion in the Park can be natural or human induced and has the potential to damage large areas of vegetation, impede access, degrade natural features and water supplies and inhibit vegetation regeneration. Track and trail erosion is common on many tracks and is accelerated by illegal vehicle access, including trail–bikes. Park users can assist by reporting major track erosion and illegal vehicle or bicycle use to the Ranger.

Vandalism is also a problem in the Park from time to time, and reporting any damage or harm to signage, structures, features, wildlife or vegetation helps us to respond as promptly as possible.

Introduced species management poses a serious threat to the biodiversity of our Park. Weeds displace native vegetation, may harbour pests and disease, increase vulnerability of threatened species and communities and can alter the structure and function of entire ecosystems. Major infestations under management in Wellington Park include gorse, spanish heath, boneseed and blackberry. All Wellington Park management agencies have their own weed eradication programs and the hardworking Wellington Bushcare Group work tirelessly, battling various infestations. The majority of the infestations are close to the Parks’ boundary, adjacent to private lands and urban/ semi-urban areas. Whilst many of these infestations are documented, Park users can assist by reporting weed infestations in more remote areas of the Park (GPS / map coordinates are best).

Feral animals in Wellington Park include goats, cats, rabbits and blackbirds, to name a few. Rabbits cause damage to high altitude vegetation and recent studies show that feral cats are hunting (probably native rodents, small marsupials and birds) in areas west of Mt Wellington, along with several sightings of feral cats on the lower slopes of the Mountain. Feral animals can spread weeds and eat native vegetation or wildlife. The Trust and the Parks’ management agencies have strategies in place for the control of these intruders. Please report sightings of feral animals (GPS/map coordinates) within the park to the Ranger.

A key strategy in management of the impact of introduced species on our wildlife is an understanding of existing wildlife populations. You, the Park users can also help us with this by submitting wildlife information to our Wellington Park Wildlife project.

Have a great summer, and see you out and about in our Park!

Lydia Marino
Wellington Park Ranger