Summary
As is so often the case, the health of the company’s properties is very weather dependent and the hot
dry conditions through late spring and summer were raising concerns. This was particularly so for the
recent plantings at Rockleigh where the company has invested substantial time and money on habitat
restoration. However, following a timely watering in early February and good recent rains, the vegetation
and new plantings are responding well (see photos below).
The company has a very substantial planting programme this year at Rockleigh with 4800 plants to put
in. The planting activities have been well supported in the past by members, family and friends and we
are again hoping for a good volunteer turn out.
Pest weed and animal control also continues to be a major focus and the company has a strong record
of responsibly managing these issues on its properties. Efforts are ongoing to seek grant funding to sup-
port these activities.
The company ensure that it maintains a strong financial position to support the management of its prop-
erties, and to provide for any contingencies.

Company News
Richard Glatz is settling into his new role as a director while Graham White is enjoying his “retirement”
by spending even more time managing all the ongoing activities on the Rockleigh property.
Property Management.

Kangaroo Island
The vegetation is now starting to recover after recent rains, breaking a long period of exceptionally dry
weather. The coastal vegetation was strongly impacted by the drought conditions, compounded by the
persistent sea spray.
The cat eradication programme continues to make progress and the hope is that funding will continue to
see the programme reach its end goal.

Rockleigh
The management group at Rockleigh has been very active with weeding, mowing, guard maintenance
and watering (and an unexpected challenge, see photo below). Thanks go particularly to Graham White,
Marg Brown, Angela Wilde and Nic Nicol. The group is already preparing for the planting season this
year with the main planting activity scheduled for the last weekend in May (30th and 31st). Further infor-
mation will be provided closer to the time but please keep this weekend free if you are able to attend and
assist with planting.
The conservation value of Rockleigh and the achievements of the company’s re-vegetation efforts are
well regarded and the property has been selected as a site for a Biodiversity Workshop run by Second
Nature Conservancy to encourage other landholders.

Talyala
Bushland Conservation supported a recent aerial shooting programme to control pest animals in the mid
north, coordinated by the Northern and York Landscape Board (NYLB), by providing access to the prop-
erty. Six goats and two deer were removed from the property.

Tothills
John Smyth provided members with a very descriptive email including photos highlighting just how
quickly the Tothills responded to the recent heavy soaking rains. The beauty of the place is a strong re-
minder of why Bushland Conservation exists and the important role that the company plays in protecting
habitat and landscapes.
Bushland Conservation also supported a recent aerial shooting programme to control pest animals in the
Tothills area, again coordinated by the NYLB, by providing access to the property. Encouragingly no tar-get pest species were observed on Bushland Conservation’s landholding nor on the entire range. This
has been attributed by NYLB, at least in part, by the ongoing efforts by the company to control pest spe-
cies. Andrew Wurst is ever vigilant with his cameras and will continue to maintain a close watch for the
return of any deer or foxes.