Hunter Wetlands National Park (HWNP) contains large areas of saltmarsh, which is listed as an Endangered Ecological Community (EEC) under state and federal legislation, and contains significant habitat for threatened and migratory shore birds.
Saltmarsh habitat in HWNP is under threat from weed invasion from Juncus acutus, and anthropogenic mangrove recruitment, which both displace saltmarsh vegetation, reducing the area available for shorebird foraging and roosting.
A collaborative approach is being used to manage these threats in HWNP. NPWS and CVA are working alongside Hunter Bird Observers (HBOC), Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG), and Worimi LALC undertaking Juncus acutus control and selective mangrove removal within the Park to improve the condition of saltmarsh and shorebird habitat. This work also forms part of CVA’s Revive Our Wetlands national program targets.
National Parks and Wildlife Service, CVA, and HBOC recently collaborated on a shorebird habitat restoration project over 2 years, funded by the NSW Environmental Trust. The main focus of this project was to restore 144 ha of shorebird habitat in saltmarsh by reducing the density of Juncus acutus infestations by 80%, and removing mangroves from saltmarsh and mud flats over 115 ha.
CVA and NPWS developed an ecological monitoring program as part of this project to assess the effectiveness of various chemical treatments to control Juncus acutus. A partnership with Hunter Tafe was also established for Conservation and Land Management student to continue long term data collection after completion of the project so that monitoring can continue into the future.
Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group also manage compensatory shorebird habitat areas within HWNP, and provide CVA with funding to undertake mangrove removal and Juncus acutus control. This work contributes to the community engagement outcomes of both organisations by using supervised community engagement teams consisting of local and international volunteers.