Friends of Snake Island
Snake island has traditionally been, and continues to be, a popular destination for people with access to boats. It has unfortunately suffered some degradation over the years.
Snake Island lies in Snake Bay in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, about 4 kilometres east of Woodbridge.It is about 4.5 hectares in size, and with a small stand of White Gums (Eucalyptus viminalis), forms part of the habitat of a colony of forty spotted pardalotes. The vegetation on the rest of the island includes a good stand of mature Casuarinas, (Allocasuarina verticillata) and open native grasslands. Unfortunately, the island has also been invaded by Spanish Heath, (Erica lusitanica), which has taken over a large area in the north of the island.
The success of our application to Envirofund, has enabled us to equip ourselves for the next few years to maintain our weed eradication programme, which is already showing fantastic progress. While the working bees, which are held several times a year, are targeting larger bushes using the cut and paste method of control, we have also contracted a company to spray the smaller growth. This will be repeated in the coming months to maximise our efforts. In order to monitor results in various areas where we have used various herbicides and cutting methods, we have also established quadrats and recorded their positions.
Being an island wildcare group presents some logistical problems at times, but because it is also a great boating and overnight camping destination, the problems are greatly outweighed by the delightful setting and solitude of the place. Because it is such a special place, both to FOSI and the community generally, we are determined to see the weed problems eradicated and the island returned to a more agreeable condition.
Greg Baxter
President, Friends of Snake-Island
Email: snakeisland@wildcaretas.org.au
Island Biodiversity Procedures
Click here for guidance on how to ensure that you do not inadvertantly carry pests and diseases onto Snake Island
If you are not yet a WILDCARE member and would like to join this group, join WILDCARE Inc (either online, by mail or in person at any Service Tasmania outlet, Parks Visitor Centre or the WILDCARE Inc Office) and then list this group on your membership form.
If you are already a member and would like to join this group, either go to your personal details in the members only area to include the group or contact office@wildcaretas.org.au to change your details.
