LandCare
Point Sturt, after white settlement in the 1850s, became a treeless, windswept expanse.  Little thought was given to the consequences as every stick of vegetation was cleared for farming and fuel for the river paddle steamers. Wall
Limestone wall, Point Sturt
In recent years, there has been a surge of interest among landholders to try and reverse much of the degradation which has taken place.  "LandCare" groups were formed throughout Australia to address local concerns.  The Point Sturt and District LandCare Group was formed in 1989 and concentrates on the issues of soil salinity, lake shore erosion and revegetation.  Most members have connections with "Trees for Life" and are actively involved with tree planting on their properties. Sheoak
Remnant vegetation on our farm,
Allocasuarina verticillata,
Drooping Sheoak

 
Ramsar

Official
LandCare
site
Regular Field Days are organised.  Some most interesting days we have attended include:
  • Local soils and soil testing
  • Ramsar wetlands
  • Lakeshore erosion
  • Coastal vegetation
  • Hindmarsh Island LandCare group plant nursery
  • Geology, silt movement and vegetation of the Murray Mouth

 

 Group at M Mouth
LandCare group at the Murray Mouth
We have learnt much about the soil types and revegetation possibilities of our property.
John planting trees Clay pan
Clay pan near our house.
We are planting shelter belts of local native species such as
  • Kangaroo Thorn
    Acacia paradoxa
  • Golden Wattle
    Acacia pycnantha
  • Sticky Hop Bush
    Dodonea viscosa spatulata
  • Drooping Sheoak
    Allocasuarina verticillata

This Clay Pan, seasonally filled with water, is a part of a chain of such pans which would have once been lagoons similar to the present Coorong, following an old coast line.  We are planning future protection of the shoreline samphire and sedges and the re-introduction of Swamp Paper Bark Eucalyptus halmaturorum.
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all images on this page
(c) 1999 Liz Yelland