New habitat takes root for KI’s rarest plants
The restoration area, developed in partnership with landholders Tamsin and Tim Wendt, aims to expand the overall extent of this threatened woodland community while creating new populations of rare and at-risk plants away from threats such as invasive weeds and accidental clearance. The site also improves habitat for native bird species and forms an important “stepping stone” between existing patches of remnant vegetation.
Kym Lashmar, Narrow-leaved Mallee Project Officer at the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board, said the A new one-hectare revegetation site has been established near Red Banks as part of the Narrow-leaved Mallee & Threatened Plant Restoration Project, helping to protect Kangaroo Island’s critically endangered Narrow-leaved Mallee (Eucalyptus cneorifolia) Woodland and create vital habitat for threatened plant species.
project represents a significant investment in biodiversity and long-term ecosystem resilience.
“This year, the project has allowed us to establish a 1-hectare restoration site that replicates critically endangered KI Narrow-leaved Mallee Woodland while providing security populations for threatened plant species,” Mr Lashmar said.
“All up we planted over 2,100 plants, which is a fantastic effort and a credit to everyone involved. The site also increases habitat for native bird species and strengthens ecological connections across the surrounding landscape.”
“The 2,100 seedlings planted included 46 different species including the nationally threatened Olearia microdisca, Leionema equestre and Spyridium glabrisepalum. The project not only restores habitat but also improves farm biodiversity and provides a refuge for wildlife.”
All plants for the project were supplied by the Landscape Board’s Kangaroo Island Native Plant Nursery, which grows more than 100 local native species suitable for revegetation, shelterbelts, windbreaks, coastal areas and home gardens.
Landholders excited to see results
Tamsin and Tim Wendt, owners of Oceanview Eco Lodges at Red Banks, said they were thrilled to support another major revegetation initiative on their property.
“This is the second revegetation project we’ve undertaken with the Landscape Board in five years, and we’re really excited to be part of the initiative,” Ms Wendt said.
“We have a strong ethos around sustainability and understand the importance of protecting and conserving endangered native species—it’s built into our business model.”
“Like many Island landowners, we realise how special our natural environment is. Being involved in these projects is incredibly rewarding, and it also creates a wonderful education piece for our inbound tourists.”
“In 2022 we planted five hectares with around 5,000 native species, and since then we’ve seen a noticeable increase in birdlife—our tour guide and Tim were able to identify 90 bird species over six months. This year we also saw our first Kangaroo Island Glossy Black-cockatoo and lots of coastal raptors, which is fantastic.”
About the KI Native Plant Nursery
The project was supported by the Kangaroo Island Native Plant Nursery, located at 22b Telegraph Road, Kingscote (next to AMPOL).
The nursery is open to the public on:
- Tuesdays: 9.00 am – 1.00 pm
- Thursdays: 9.00 am – 4.30 pm
Plants available include:
- Tube stock – $3.00
- Propagated cuttings – $4.50
For enquiries, contact the nursery on 0437 332 692.
Project funding
This restoration work is funded by the Australian Government’s Saving Native Species Program and delivered by the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board.
