TLC Creates New Reserve at Sloping Main

Media release – Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC), 7 November 2022

Precious Tasmanian plant communities now protected

Conservation organisation the Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC) today announced its newest nature reserve, at Sloping Main.

Overlooking Frederick Henry Bay on the beautiful Tasman Peninsula, Sloping Main Reserve protects an incredible diversity of threatened native vegetation.

‘We couldn’t be happier that we will now be able to protect seven threatened vegetation communities, the most on any TLC reserve, including a significant area of critically endangered black gum forests and woodlands,’ says TLC CEO James Hattam.

‘We know people want to protect threatened animals like swift parrots, forty-spotted pardalotes and Tasmanian devils. But to see this level of enthusiasm for threatened plants has been, for a botanist like me, a real thrill.’

The reserve was established with the support of Tasman Peninsula locals, whose contributions meant the TLC reached its fundraising target in record time. It took only four months to raise the $3.4 million required, thanks to 539 donors and the Elsie Cameron Foundation, which matched every donation dollar for dollar.

Adding this 425 hectare reserve to the landscape alongside privately owned nature reserves and Land for Wildlife properties, as well as public reserves such as Lime Bay State Reserve and Coal Mines Historic Site, means the western Tasman Peninsula now has a network of protected areas that will help all kinds of species survive and thrive.

‘The Tasman Peninsula is home to one of the last remaining populations of Tasmanian devils free of devil facial tumour disease. And excitingly, there is potential for the property to provide a refuge for one of Tasmania’s most cryptic and least understood mammal species – the Tasman Peninsula dusky antechinus,’ says Dr David Hamilton, TLC Conservation Ecologist.

With the addition of Sloping Main Reserve, the TLC protects more than 18,500 hectares of vital Tasmanian habitat in reserves; across all its programs, the organisation protects nearly 97,000 hectares.

‘We feel so privileged to have the opportunity to care for these places that make Tasmania special,’ says James Hattam.
The Tasmanian Land Conservancy is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that protects nature on private land, both on our own reserves and in partnership with landholders. Through science and community, we inspire and empower people to contribute to nature conservation in Tasmania. To find out more about our work go to tasland.org.au.

Across Tasmania, TLC buys land of high natural value to protect habitats for rare and threatened species into the future. We covenant land to resell to conservation-minded owners. We work with landholders to identify, protect and manage habitat on their own properties. And we establish our own nature reserves, where we conduct scientific research and monitoring that informs active management. Our work is carried out by volunteers, expert staff and conservation partners across the state.

Featured image above courtesy TLC and Eddie Safarik.