Training and pre-restoration vegetation surveys are underway! 

In partnership with Coastcare Victoria and the Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI) we hosted a vegetation survey training workshop on Wadawurrung Country at Point Lillias in February 2020. The goal of this workshop was to train members of the Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation (WAC) the key steps and methods involved in completing vegetation surveys.

It is important to complete these vegetation surveys before any management actions are implemented as it gives WAC the baseline data of what flora is currently present across the site, and tells the story (based on that data) about how the weed management actions improved changed the vegetation health.

The workshop began with morning talks about the vision/outcomes WAC would like to see for the site and a demonstration of how to complete the vegetation survey. After lunch, the group split into working pairs and began to undertake vegetation surveys in the priority areas for restoration. On the day the group was able to complete 2 one-hectare surveys before being cut short due to bad weather (thunderstorms). Unfortunately, the surveys were delayed further due to COVID-19. Once COVID-19 restrictions have eased, WAC in partnership with ARI will complete the remaining pre-restoration surveys, prior to the weed management actions. Another 4 sites in Point Lillias will be set up to monitor, bringing the total in this area for the site to 6.