Wilsons, Western Grassland Reserve

The Western Grassland Reserve, part of state-federal Melbourne Strategic Assessment (MSA), is failing to deliver promised conservation outcomes due to poor set-up and implementation. Only 18% acquired. Weeds proliferating. Complex management issues. Huge, urgent restoration effort required to save remaining recoverable, good-quality grassland. Some praiseworthy recent progress by reinvigorated team.

Main photo: Werribee River, with River Red Gums and Wilsons on the right bank
2: A Buloke stand with dead trees, removal of bark by livestock, and non-native understorey
3: Creekline Tussock Grassland (close-up), showing basalt blocks where water pools, Creeping Knotweed growing in the cracks
4: Most of the FFG-listed Buloke trees have died since this photograph was taken in 2010
5: Natural Temperate Grassland on the southern boundary adjacent to Ballan Rd
6: Pages from Wilsons Block.pdf_Page_2_Image_0002
7: Seasonal Herbaceous Wetland
8: Steeply-cliffed escarpment shrubland, with Austral Storks-bill and Tree Violet
9: Stony knoll Shrubland, with rocky terrain and Hedge Wattle