Media release – Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC), 18 July 2023

NATURE ON THE RISE AT SLOPING MAIN

The Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC) is excited to announce that its nature reserve at Sloping Main, has been expanded by a further 220 hectares thanks to generous donations from the public. The extension of the nature reserve means that one of Tasmania’s most impressive wetlands, known as Burdens Marsh, is now permanently protected by the conservation organisation.

“We’re so excited to have worked with the community here on the Tasman Peninsula to conserve this very special place,” said the CEO of the TLC, James Hattam. “This reserve now makes a difference to nature at scale and we’re proud to be a part of it.”

“Thanks to the community, in 2022 the TLC created a reserve of 425 hectares of rare and threatened native habitat here at Sloping Main. The addition of the beautiful Burdens Marsh to Sloping Main Reserve means 660 hectares of superb habitat is now permanently conserved here for nature by the TLC. TLC’s reserve is bounded by the Lime Bay State reserve and creates a 2,200 hectare conservation area,” said Hattam.

In a campaign running less than two months, and with every donation matched dollar for dollar by the Elsie Cameron Foundation, over $3.8 million was raised to protect the property.

Around the world, saltmarsh wetlands are under threat from development, agriculture and sea-level rise. The Australian Government has recognised these ecosystems are in crisis, listing them as ‘nationally threatened’. Half of Tasmania’s saltmarsh wetlands have been lost or degraded.

As well as being crucial for the survival of migrating bird species, saltmarsh wetlands filter run-off water, are a breeding ground for some of our most popular fish species, and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They’re good for animals and for humans.

“This wetland provides important breeding and feeding habitats for our waterbirds and waders,” adds TLC”s Conservation Science and Planning Manager, Cath Dickson.

“While many saltmarshes are threatened by sea level rise, this is a rare example of this nationally vulnerable habitat that is tucked away behind the sand dunes where it is safe from storm surges.”

Thanks to the support of Tasman Peninsula locals and nature lovers everywhere, the TLC now protects almost 19,000 hectares of vital Tasmanian habitat in permanent nature reserves; across all its programs, the organisation protects nearly 100,000 hectares.

“We feel so privileged to have the opportunity to look after these places that make Tasmania special,” says CEO 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.

White fronted chat in the wetlands at Sloping Main Extension. Image courtesy Rob Blakers.