2005044 hills forest magpaper - Department of Environment and ...

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Fire is both friend and foeCALM, in cooperation with the Fire andEmergency Services Authority and localgovernment bushfire brigades, has acomprehensive fire risk management strategythat applies to the Perth hills area.This strategy involves prescribed burning toreduce bush fuel levels, an early spottingnetwork of towers and aircraft, grading of firebreaks and fire-fighting efforts from the air andon the ground.CALM's fire management strategy is not onlyabout preventing danger to people. Prescribedburning is an essential part of helping the bushregenerate.However, all visitors to the hills need to beaware they are entering a fire risk area,particularly in the warmer months, and need tobehave accordingly.• Please light campfires only where you areauthorised to do so. Such areas are clearlysign-posted and well cleared. In some cases,gas facilities are provided rather than openfires.• Always let a responsible person know you areheading into the bush. In the event of abushfire, it helps CALM to know who is in thearea.• Always stay on the tracks or trails provided.The frequency of burning is carefully managedaccording to the specific area to maximisebenefit to the types of plants and animals livingthere.Each year CALM plans to undertake prescribedburning on CALM-managed lands in the southwestto:• protect and conserve biodiversity values andcommunity assests;• reduce the occurrence and impacts of large,intense wildfires; and• regenerate and protect forest ecosystems.• If you spot smoke and feel a fire may beheading your way, get out as quickly aspossible. Again, stick to the tracks or trails.You will move much quicker on the tracksthan through the bush.• Please report any suspicious activity. CALM isalways on the lookout for arsonists.In January 2005 a bushfire burnt through28,000 ha of bush in the Perth hills area andrequired a massive inter-agency and communityresponse. This potentially devastating event wasa reminder of the importance of communityvigilance in preparing for fires and ensuring parkvisitor safety.A silent killer lurks in our bushAs you relax in the bush it's easy to overlook thelikelihood you are in the presence of a ruthlesskiller — jarrah dieback!This disease, otherwise known as Phytophthoracinnamomi, is a soil-based pathogen. It attacksthe roots of more than 3000 native species inthe south-west of WA, from tall trees to tinyshrubs and ground covers, destroying theirability to absorb water and transport nutrients.In smaller plants, death can be almost instantaneouson contact of the pathogen with the roots, butmost people recognise the disease in the ailingfoliage of jarrah trees, which take longer to die.WA's bush, including the Perth hills, is a hugemosaic of infected and uninfected areas. CALMscientists estimate the disease has seriouslydamaged up to 20 per cent of the naturalenvironment, greatly thinning the bush acrossthe State.Affected areas cannot be re-populated with thesusceptible native species without the ongoingapplication of protective treatments.The disease spreads naturally from one plant toanother through soil and water and little can bedone to halt its progress given the vastness ofthe areas affected. Humans can greatlyaccelerate its movement by spreading infectedsoil and plant tissue.Please obey signs advising you to wash or brushdown your feet, bike, car or four-wheel drive(mainly the tyres and undercarriage). The signsare usually positioned in Disease Risk Areas whereyou pass from an infected to an uninfected areaand the risk of the disease spreading throughsoil that you may be carrying is very high. It isalso important that you obey any road closuresigns or gates as these are in place to help stopthe spread of the disease into uninfested areas.The disease has even spread into many bushreserves and back gardens of Perth throughinappropriate nursery practices (failure tosterilise soil used for seedlings), large-scalemovement of soil for housing subdivisions orroad construction, and by individuals.Whenever you go bush, stick to the firm pathsprovided, clean your feet and/or vehicle whererequested and conduct another clean-up beforereturning home. By no means remove any plantsor plant materials from their natural settings.More information about dieback is availablefrom CALM's NatureBase website(www.naturbase.net). Information can also beobtained by typing jarrah dieback into a websearch engine.You can also visit CALM's Perth Hills DistrictHeadquarters in Mundaring or phone9295 1955.10
A forest adventure on two wheelsA suitable bike, a trail map, some basicsupplies and a taste for forest adventure areall you need to tackle the extremely popularMunda Biddi Trail, starting at Mundaring inthe hills east of Perth.Munda Biddi, meaning ‘path through theforest’ in Nyoongar Aboriginal language, is thelatest addition to WA's growing network ofworld-class recreational trails. It provides agreat opportunity to combine a love of naturewith a desire for healthy activity.The car-free, off-road trail, constructed andmaintained by CALM with the assistance ofthe Munda Biddi Trail Foundation, windsthrough the eucalypt forests, picturesque rivervalleys and rolling hills of the south-west onits way to Collie in the Darling Range, about300 km south. It will eventually extend about900 km to Albany on the South Coast.Along the northern section of the trail,observant cyclists might catch sight of anative western brush wallaby, brushtailpossum or western grey kangaroo which makethe jarrah forest their home. There is also awide variety of unique flora on display.A major access point to the Munda Biddi Trailis at its terminus in Sculpture Park,Mundaring. Other access points include TheDell recreation area on Mundaring Weir Roadand where the track crosses Brookton Highwayand Albany Highway and passes throughJarrahdale or Dwellingup. With these easyentry and exit points, you can cover as muchor as little of the trail as you choose.The trail is largely on gentle grades anddesigned for use by people of all ages andcycling experience levels. However, there aresome steep sections, particularly in the HelenaValley area and north of Jarrahdale and also nearDwellingup.Campsites are located at 35 to 50 km intervalsand the trail passes through a town at leastevery second day. Some campsites are speciallydesigned for cyclists and feature a roomysleeping shelter, cycle storage, rainwater tanksand a toilet. You will need to take a fuel stove ifyou intend to cook.For more details about the Munda Biddi Trail,contact CALM's Tracks and Trails Unit on 93340265, email mundabiddi@calm.wa.gov.au, orvisit the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation’s websiteat (www.mundabiddi.org.au).Cycling and nature enthusiasts are encouragedto support the trail by joining the Munda BiddiTrail Foundation. Members receive regularnewsletters and discounts on merchandise. Thefoundation also arranges special group events.Keep your four-wheel drive on track!Four-wheel driving through the wilds of thehills can be great fun, but it can also bedamaging to the environment.Stay on the tracksExcept in areas specially designated for off-roaddriving (for vehicles such as trail bikes and dunebuggies), all vehicles must stay on establishedroads or tracks. The destructive practice ofcross-country ‘bush bashing’ is not allowed.Why have controls?Destruction of flora and fauna, soil compactionand erosion, vandalism, littering and excessivenoise can all potentially occur as a result offour-wheel driving. Perhaps the greatestproblem of all, however, is the spread of thefungal disease dieback. This can be spread bysoil carried on the tyres and undercarriages offour-wheel drive vehicles. CALM hasdesignated and sign-posted various DiseaseRisk Areas, where vehicle traffic is strictlycontrolled through a permit system.Tread lightlyAll drivers have a duty of care to theenvironment when using public lands. A 12-point Code of Ethics has been drawn up by theAustralian National Four Wheel Drive Councilin consultation with CALM. Behaviourstandards are also prescribed by the TreadLightly program. Copies of the Code and theTread Lightly guidelines are available to thepublic.Other useful tips• Unlicensed vehicles are not allowed onCALM-managed lands.• Build up your skills by doing a four-wheeldriving course through a four-wheel driveclub.• Buy a detailed map of the area you plan todrive through.• Allow extra time for unforeseencircumstances.• Plan alternative routes in case your originalroute is inaccessible.• Maintain appropriate tyre pressure toprotect the environment.• Thoroughly check your vehicle beforesetting off.• Stay out of boggy areas.There are various planned four-wheel driveroutes through the hills and a number ofpublications containing useful informationabout them. For details, contact CALM's PerthHills District Headquarters in Mundaring on9295 1955 or visit CALM’s NatureBase website(www.naturebase.net).11
Page 1 and 2: A guide to thePerth hillsRich herit
Page 3 and 4: Rich flora display makes hills a bi
Page 5 and 6: Kalamunda National ParkKalamunda Na
Page 7 and 8: Today at each site you can see the
Page 9: Water activities rare, but dams off

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