Cultural burning to improve endangered grasshopper habitat

Join South East Local Land Services and the Walbunja Rangers as they investigate how cultural burning can improve grassland habitat for the threatened Keys Matchstick Grasshopper. 

Event details:

Keys Matchstick Grasshopper (Keyacris scurra) is a small native wingless grasshopper that lives in native grasslands and open woodlands across South East NSW. Once widespread, it now exists in small and highly fragmented populations due to the loss and degradation of its habitat. The main causes of the decline of this and other grassland species are: 

• introduction of exotic pasture species 

• overgrazing and compaction by livestock 

• invasion by weeds and dense woody vegetation.

NSW Travelling Stock Reserves (TSR) are often some of the last remaining refuges for small grassland species like this grasshopper because they’ve avoided development and more intensive agricultural activities. Cultural burning is being trialled as a tool to maintain the health of the grassland on this TSR, reducing thatched and dead grass and the density of encroaching woody vegetation. 

Many patches of privately owned land support pockets of remnant habitat and can be managed for their conservation value. Come along to learn more. 

Additional details:

• Parking is along Duckfield Road. Please sign in on arrival with an LLS officer. 

• Wear sturdy covered shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, sunscreen and protective eye wear. 

• Light refreshments will be available, but participants should bring their own water and lunch if they choose to stay on past the finish time. 

Contact: Andy Taylor, Senior NRM Advisor via email at: andy.taylor@lls.nsw.gov.au or via mobile: 0427 750 891

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