Cassinia Environmental

We're looking to grow our team! Cassinia was selected by the Victorian State Government as the key delivery partner for the private land stream of BushBank, a program that seeks to restore 20,000 hectares of private land through biodiverse-carbon plantings over the next 10 years. We're hiring for a role in this team - its an exciting opportunity to be part of the most ambitious restoration project ever undertaken in Victoria! The Restoration Officer - BushBank will be undertaking site assessments and developing Native Vegetation Restoration Plans for land secured for the BushBank program. The role will involve mapping ecological values and site characteristics, determining the areas for restoration, and thinking about the best way to revegetate, what species to use and how to manage threats and risks to a successful project. The successful candidate will be working with private landowners on their land or across sites that have been purchased specifically for the BushBank program. If this sounds like you, visit: https://lnkd.in/g5SMNyES for more information. 

After 138ml falling in recent rains, Acacia’s direct seeded on our Merrinee property have sprung to life! This 638.7-hectare project is our biggest in Victoria yet, and was made possible by the Victorian Government’s BushBank Program and the Land Life Company.  During winter, 49 species of shrubs and trees were planted through direct seeding and tube stock, which will transform this Mallee environment. The Cassinia team are so excited to see the results of hard work as we look to restore, reconnect, protect and steward Australian landscapes.  This project is funded by the Victorian Government’s $77 million BushBank Program and the Land Life Company. The BushBank program is restoring more than 20,000 hectares of land across Victoria to create healthy wildlife habitat and capture carbon. Victorian Government Land Life

Meet Karst Kreun, whose devotion to the land is bringing life back to Karlindy, a 48-hectare haven near Mansfield. Since settling on the property in 2021, Karst has planted 12,500 trees, creating a refuge for the endangered Gang-Gang Cockatoo and other native wildlife. Karlindy isn't just about conservation; it's about community. Local schools and volunteers have joined Karst in nurturing this land, experiencing firsthand the joy of connecting with nature. This transformation is being supported by the BushBank Program, enabling Karst and others to turn degraded lands into thriving ecosystems.  Read more about Karst’s Karlindy project here: https://lnkd.in/grHrTau7 Image: Courtesy 1 courtesy of The Guardian and Penny Stephens

The Carbon Farming Foundation can support landowners to manage revegetation projects as a carbon farming project. This is an exciting option for landowners to explore as the Victorian Government's BushBank Program- Private Land Stream can support your project. For further information, have a read of this great article from The Carbon Farming Foundation! To submit an EOI for the BushBank Program, you can visit www.cassinia.com/bushbank

Our team joined with our partners at Wilderlands for an insightful ecological monitoring visit to Coorong Lakes, South Australia, finding an absolutely incredible array of native flora and fauna! From skinks and stumpy tails to intriguing legless lizards, our collaborative efforts have illuminated the diverse life thriving in this unique habitat. Under the guidance of Wilderlands’ lead ecologist, Deanna Marshall, and conservation expert Bill Harman from TAFE SA, our team engaged in pitfall trapping- a vital method for studying small ground-dwelling animals. This technique helps grow our knowledge and ability to protect this precious biodiversity hotspot. Some field highlights included:  - Striated Worm-lizard sightings, a rare find.  - Eastern Banjo Frogs making their first appearance on record for this area.  - Western Pygmy Possums found using possum boxes - Daily early morning trap sessions with exciting resulting results, and ensuring animal welfare. The visit was not only a chance to gather data but also a perfect opportunity for staff to work alongside Bill Harman’s students, including Ngarrindjeri Lands & Progress Aboriginal Corporation Rangers. We are proud to support and be a part of such important conservation work. The partnerships involved in this project makes this one particularly special. To find out more about the project, visit https://lnkd.in/gVa2Cv2h For more about Cassinia’s projects, visit www.cassinia.com/projects 

The Cassinia Team is fundraising for conservation in Africa! Next weekend, 21 members of the Cassinia team are hiking 25km through the Grampians (Gariwerd) to raise funds for marine conservation in Africa through A Rocha Kenya. We hope to raise $4000, and thought we would give our friends a chance to be part of this with us! Last year, funds raised for A Rocha Kenya helped train the local Kenyan team in marine biology, making significant contributions to shark and ray research and coral reef restoration.  It would be great to be part of this journey with them again. Please visit here to contribute: https://lnkd.in/gxksa2eJ Thankyou for all your support!

The final signing of Covenant for the Hutchison sisters for their restoration project, Tillabudgery, as part of the Victorian Government’s BushBank Program, delivered by Cassinia Environmental. Kirsten and Neridda Hutchison have restored their family’s much-loved property for habitat. This 43 hectare property near Bonnie Doon will extend on bordering nature reserves, providing for species including the endangered Gang Gang Cockatoo and Powerful Owl. The Trust For Nature Conservation Covenant means the restoration project on this stunning property will be protected forever! “We feel immensely proud to be a part of the project. We could feel our mum and dad smiling down on us!”, shared Kirsten. This project is funded by the Victorian Government’s $77 million BushBank Program and the Land Life Company. The BushBank program is restoring more than 20,000 hectares of land across Victoria to create healthy wildlife habitat and capture carbon. To get involved in the Program, or to read more about the story of Tillabudgery, go to: www.cassinia.com/bushbank Trust for Nature Land Life Company Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Slide 3 image: Jonathan Steinbeck

Following revegetation of native plant species on cleared land in 2010, Korong Ridge has become a haven for birds and other wildlife. Revegetation species were carefully selected to match existing vegetation in surrounding areas, providing more habitat for local native wildlife. Rarer bird species such as Gilbert's Whistler, Painted Honeyeater and Southern Whiteface now thrive amongst the growing restored forest, and reside on the property during different times of the year. This restoration project will continue to flourish and provide habitat for native plants and animals into the future. Contact us if you would like to join us on this project and become the owner and steward of this property! Slide 1 and 2: Chestnut-rumped Thornbill Slide 3: Painted Honeyeater Slide 4: Diamond Firetail Slide 5: Gilbert's Whistler photo credit: Campbell Van Praagh Trust for Nature BirdLife Australia North Central Catchment Management Authority

We’re really excited about the progress made through the Victorian Government’s BushBank Program, delivering habitat and carbon sequestration on private land in Victoria. As the Lead Delivery Partner we have already locked in over 5000 hectares for restoration, well on our way to the 20,000 hectare Program goal. We’ve been able to revegetate a range of landscapes that will become habitat for wildlife like the endangered Squirrel Glider and Gang Gang Cockatoo. It is our pleasure to partner with landowners and co-funders to be able to achieve these exciting outcomes.  You can read more about our progress to the mid-year point of 2024 at https://lnkd.in/g-Dnrv5B You can read our media release regarding our progress at:  https://lnkd.in/gaBvXeNq The next round of EOIs closes 31 October 2024. Interested landowners can find out more at: https://lnkd.in/guPzN8Kq Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Victorian Government Trust for Nature Land Life Greenfleet

In the rolling hills near Bonnie Doon, the legacy of Noel Hutchinson lives on through his daughters, Kirsten and Neridda Hutchinson. Embracing their father's passion for the environment, they are determined to advance his visionary work at Tillabudgery, ensuring the land not only recovers but flourishes. Kirsten, drawing from her background in conservation, was quick to recognise the opportunities presented by the BushBank Program—Private Land Stream. With its focus on supporting landowners in habitat restoration, the program was a perfect fit for continuing their father's mission. Engaging with the program has allowed the sisters to scale their efforts far beyond what was initially possible, turning vision into action. The Hutchinson sisters have a clear and profound vision for Tillabudgery's future. They aim to enhance the catchment area for Woolshed Creek, which feeds into Lake Eildon, providing a vital buffer to the adjacent Maittongoon Bushland Reserve. Their efforts are also focused on creating a sanctuary for wildlife, including the endangered Gang Gang Cockatoo and the Powerful Owl, contributing significantly to the biodiversity of the region.  “It’s about righting a wrong,” Kirsten explains. “... It’s never going to be exactly the same, but it’ll provide a vital ecosystem and habitat for flora and fauna.” Read more about the Tillabudgery landowner project at the link below. This project is funded by the Victorian Government’s $77 million BushBank Program and Land Life. The BushBank program is restoring more than 20,000 hectares of land across Victoria to create healthy wildlife habitat and capture carbon. You can find out more about the Program and how you can restore your own property for habitat at www.cassinia.com/bushbank https://lnkd.in/gjgBBgQU