Current Projects
King Island Landcare Group (KILG, formerly KI Natural Resource Management Group) undertakes a number of projects each year, as funds and human resources allow – see the following list.
Paperbark is back!
The seasonal KILG newsletter will be available at KIRDO or the post office during the first week of every new season. Subscribe to our email version here to have it sent directly to your inbox or download it here
Wings on King Autumn 2026 Bird Surveys
Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 November 2026. Register on Wings on King website.
We are looking for volunteers for the Wings on King surveys – open to all experience levels. They are a great way to explore unseen parts of King Island and to meet like-minded people.
Any enquiries, please contact Emily kingisland@landcaretas.org.au
Catchment Connect – Enhancing Farm Dams for Climate Resilience Project
The King Island Landcare Group is improving farm dams across the island to support better water management and climate resilience. With community funding, the project has created a demonstration site showing practical ways to enhance dams through fencing, planting and smart design. These improvements help protect water quality, support wildlife, improve stock health and strengthen farm landscapes. The project aligns with Landcare Tasmania’s Catchment Connect – Enhancing Farm Dams for Climate Resilience program, helping landholders build drought resilience while boosting on-farm biodiversity. Generously funded by The Crown in Right of Tasmania (represented by the department of Premier and Cabinet).
Community Action for King Island Bird Recovery
This project will implement actions across King Island to protect the habitat of two priority species listed in the Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2023, the King Island Brown Thornbill and King Island Scrubtit.
Actions to be undertaken are aimed at protecting high-quality habitat with improved conversation management, reducing weed and feral animal threats to the birds, improving the quality and extent of their habitat, and building the capacity of landholders and community groups on King Island to address known threats to native species. Generously funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by Cradle Coast NRM, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.
Protection for King Island scrub complex
This common ecological community has been listed as threatened under the EPBC Act, in effect on September 4th 2024. See the Australian Government websites for the Approved Conservation Advice and an indicative distribution map. The listing may help land managers to access more opportunities through current or future natural resource management programs and nature repair market initiatives for continuing work to protect and restore the King Island environment. Support may be available for revegetation and other work to manage threats that impact both the ecological community and agricultural productivity (such as weeds, erosion, and feral animals).
FOCUS ON WEEDS: Asparagus fern and Inkweed
These are the two major weed threats to biodiversity and threatened species on King Island. The control of Inkweed and Asparagus fern is urgent, and our top priority, because if we don’t get control of these two major threats to the biodiversity, ecosystems and natural capital of King Island, they will invade ALL of our native vegetation. Only about one third of King Island is still covered in native vegetation, the generally accepted threshold below which there is potential for rapid ecological collapse of native ecosystems, so we need to preserve the quality and integrity of what we have left. For more information…
King Island native plant nursery – run by volunteers and available for community and individuals to use
The community run nursery supports landholders to use King Island endemic flora for native revegetation and regeneration activities, including the opportunity for individuals or businesses to grow tubestock for their own use in the nursery. An important benefit is improving habitat and reconnect threatened bird populations. The Nursery Facilitator, Renae, will work with landholders and volunteers to ensure supply of seed for both direct seeding and propagation into seedlings ready for planting.
Keep a lookout on our facebook page for updates. Renae can be contacted by email. kilgnursery@gmail.com Supported by BirdLife Australia www.birdlife.org.au and the Australian Government Volunteer Grants 2024.
Significant potential threats to our environment and community, BE AWARE:
- Avian Flu Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is an infectious disease of birds and is caused by several different strains of the bird flu virus. It spreads between both wild and domesticated birds and certain strains can infect mammals including seals, livestock and occasionally humans.
Never handle any birds with suspected Avian Influenza. If you encounter sick or dead wild birds and suspect avian influenza, report them to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
For further info on risks for humans and symptoms, see here
For more info on protecting your poultry and pet birds see here - Potential invasion of fire ants. Fire ants, known for their destructive impact on the environment, agriculture, and even public health, represent a biosecurity threat we cannot afford to overlook. Their ability to rapidly colonise and devastate ecosystems makes them a formidable challenge for any region they invade. Recent discussions and news highlighted the risk of fire ants making their way into Tasmania and King Island, which could have devastating consequences for our biodiversity, agricultural productivity, and way of life. More information here
KILG are now able to accept tax deductible donations. DONATE TO KING ISLAND LANDCARE GROUP
Thanks to Landcare Tasmania for their support to use their Deductible Gift Recipient facility.
Become a Member of King Island Landcare
Stay up to date on field days and workshops. Members are also welcome to attend our monthly meetings. Your membership fee contributes directly to our various projects. Download a membership form here.
Victorian Wader Study Group on King Island.
VWSG are conducting a longitudinal study on Ruddy Turnstones spanning 10 years to date which assesses changing migratory behaviour over time. Read about the study here. VWSG will visit King Island again in autumn 2025, keep an eye out so you can join the activities
Feral Deer Population Control –
King Island is classified as zone 3, so “no deer” is the broad management objective of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. In recognition of the increasing challenges landholders face managing deer, there is no limit on the number of antlerless (any female deer, male fawns and antlerless males) deer that can be taken under a hunting licence or permit. The decision to tag male deer taken using Property Protection Permits in Zone 3 is at the discretion of the land manager.
Knowing the extent of the problem is an important part of managing the feral deer population. Trail cameras are being used to estimate deer abundance and geographic distribution in areas supporting low to medium abundance of the species. King Island community can help the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania implement their Management Plan by recording sightings. Download the DeerScan app. – easy to use and uploads data to ensure we know where the deer are.
Feral Cat Population Control –
There is a renewed interest amongst the community and business to work together to control numbers of feral cats on the island.
As part of a new project called Community action for King Island threatened bird recovery, feral cats have been identified as a threat to the King Island Brown Thornbill and the King Island Scrubtit, two endangered birds on the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Action Plan priority list.
As well as cat trapping undertaken by landholders, three Felixer cat grooming traps have been deployed on King Island by Cradle Coast NRM and Biosecurity Tasmania.
Felixers are innovative cat control devices that use artificial intelligence (AI) to identify a cat and target it. When a cat is targeted by a Felixer, a pink poison gel is fired at the cat, which it ingests when it grooms its fur. Each cartridge of gel contains a dose of 8 mg of sodium fluoroacetate (1080) poison. As a comparison, in the past when poisoned carrots were used for herbivore control for crop protection, the permitted rate was 0.014%, or 140 mg per kilogram of bait. The Felixers do not use a bait or a lure. Instead, they are a passive method that relies on animals walking in front of the device. Every animal that passes is photographed, and AI image recognition instantly determines whether the animal is a target animal or not.
The three properties where the Felixers are deployed are protected by “conservation covenants” on their titles. These are part of the Tasmanian Reserve Estate, and cats are prohibited. The properties were selected because they are close to identified priority habitat patches for the threatened birds – Colliers Swamp, Pegarah State Forest, and the forested areas from Sea Elephant to Lavinia on the north-east coast of the Island.
Like other pest control techniques such as baiting, there is a risk that domestic animals may be targeted. All the neighbouring landholders to each of the three properties have received written notification about the Felixer deployment. They have been advised to keep pet cats indoors, and for extra risk management, some residents have been issued with a Bluetooth device that can be fitted to their pet’s collar. The Bluetooth device deactivates the Felixer when it is within range of the machine so the pet cat will not be targeted.
Amendments to the Cat Management Act 2009 , effective 1 March 2022, changed the way cats are cared for and managed in Tasmania and should stop recharge to the feral cat population from domestic cats. Download this fact sheet for further information on the changes.
KILG plans to continue working on this project, with a multi-faceted approach similar to activities over many years.
Since 2006 KILG facilitated programs achievements include:
- o Population data gathered and added to database: community sightings recorded; camera monitoring; sandpits were used to estimate the abundance and distribution of cats across the island.
o Cat tracks were recorded in every habitat surveyed during the project including coastal environments.
o Determined significant feral cat population has stemmed from the domestic cat population
o Subsidized de-sexing program- over 156 domestic cats de-sexed and microchipped,
o Over 377 feral cats were trapped across the island under these programs, further trapping has continued by community, PWS, and business
o Dietary analysis and bait trials
o Community awareness raised, householder and media
o Community review 134/136 surveyed supported program
- o Population data gathered and added to database: community sightings recorded; camera monitoring; sandpits were used to estimate the abundance and distribution of cats across the island.
Eradication of Serrated Tussock
Eradication from King Island of this highly invasive weed was within our sights after many years mapping and control of an infestation next to Colliers Swamp. In addition the Landcare crew conducted fee for service work for several adjoining landholders. Serrated tussock is a serious weed of pastures and native grasslands, a declared weed under the Tasmanian Weed Management Act 1999, and a Weed of National Significance (WONS). Unfortunately, a new incursion has been discovered so a renewed effort by KILG will go into this area, whilst surveillance of the original area continues. PLEASE keep an eye out for this weed when in the area between Colliers Swamp and Gentle Annie. Supported by the Tasmanian Government.
Building community capacity to restore native vegetation and monitor impacts of restoration effort
The aims of the project:
1) build the understanding and capacity of the King Island community to restore and expand King Island’s native vegetation,
2) establish a method to measure, record, and analyse progress and outcomes of native vegetation restoration effort
3) facilitate adaptation of future effort based on monitoring results.
In November Dr Helen Morgan, Tasmanian Land Conservancy Ecologist, visited to work with the Landcare team to finalise the King Island Native Vegetation Restoration and Monitoring Kit and introduce the methodology at a field day. The Kit has been developed for the King Island community to use in on ground management and monitoring activities to protect and enhance biodiversity values and habitat for threatened species on King Island. Download a free copy of the Restoration Kit. KILG acknowledge the support of “ANZ & Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal”.
Threatened Birds Recovery Plan for King Island Scrubtit and King Island Brown Thornbill –
Extensive searches to ascertain the abundance and distribution of both species and habitat information has been updated. Results are available in this report: Defining and mapping habitat requirements to support the survival of King Island threatened birds January 2023 prepared by Phil Bell and Matt Webb, Biodiversity Maintenance Australia.Key information on the endangered King Island birds: King Island Scrubtit and Brown Thornbill Survey Results March 2019 report prepared by Matt Webb and Dr Ross Crates
Actions from the Conservation Action Plan for both the King Island Scrubtit (Acanthornis magnus greenianus) and King Island Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza apical Archibaldi) continue. A Recovery Team with members from all stakeholders including the KILG was formed in 2019 under BirdLife Australia’s Preventing Extinctions Program. More information is available at Birds of King Island website. Supported by BirdLife Australia, www.birdlife.org.au
Enhancing King Island Brown Thornbill habitat for future corridor –
Stage 2 2023-24 planning is under way, with sites mapped for native re-vegetation by direct seeding pasture areas and regeneration of degraded vegetation with tubestock over-planting. A major challenge is to gather sufficient local provenance seed. Stage 1 2022-23 worked with landholders near Pegarah State Forest, completed April 2023, supported by Cradle Coast Authority, through funding from the Australian Government. It aids the recovery of the endemic and critically endangered King Island Brown Thornbill (KIBT) via protection and restoration of native vegetation through stock exclusion, improved wallaby and weed management.The King Island Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla magnirostris) is endemic to King Island, meaning it occurs nowhere else in the world. It is currently classed as a subspecies of the Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla) that also occurs in other parts of Australia. However, current genetic studies may reveal that the King Island Brown Thornbill has evolved into a separate species. Previously it was discovered that A. pusilla magnirostris specimen have longer bills than their close relatives and that they have developed a distinguishing call frequency. Find further information about the King Island Brown Thornbill here.
Approved sightings of A. pusilla magnirostris have been rare within the last decades and little is known about the small birds’ life cycle. It is only assumed that they may have a similar lifestyle to their more studied relatives. In 2019 not even 50 individuals were found during bird surveys on King Island. Most of the 35 coordinates the birds were found at are in Pegarah State Forest and some are further south near Yarra Creek. Later in 2020 a survey found slightly more individuals remaining in suitable habitat on the island.
Habitat for A. pusilla magnirostris seems to be forest that predominantly includes larger Eucalypt trees. Unfortunately, this type of habitat has been decimated since the early European settlement, and only a few small suitable habitat patches remain for the critically endangered bird on the island now. It is estimated that there are no more than 250 individuals of the King Island Brown Thornbill remaining in the wild, and those remaining populations are further threatened by fire events and land clearing.
This Landcare project therefore aims to aid the remaining populations of birds by initiating a future vegetation corridor that allows genetic flow between potentially isolated populations and enhances new habitat for population recovery. The project is conducted as a milestone of the King Island Threatened Species Conservation Action Plan.
Within this project we encourage King Island Landholders to work together with King Island Landcare and Cradle Coast NRM to allow regeneration of native vegetation, especially along valuable freshwater bodies that eventually will shape a vegetation corridor between Pegarah State Forest and Yarra Creek. Exclusion of stock from vulnerable riparian edges, improved weed management and wallaby control are some of the goals to achieve by the funding. This is thought to bring a brighter future to King Island’s unique, little, insectivorous bird. And with further challenges that the world is facing we hope to create a greener, fertile, and more sustainable future for King Island.
Native seed collection and Propagation of King Island Native Trees –
The project will involve the green team, a King Island District High school student led group, with propagation of KI native trees activities at the local nursery. A continuing project is planned, where we can educate students from seed collection, propagation, and planting through participation in King Island Landcare revegetation projects and community projects. The first stage of propegation and germination has been completed and now we wait to take the children out on the field for a day of planting. Supported by KIDHS teaching staff and with funding from King Island Council Community Assistance Program 2023-24
Currie Wharf Bush Restoration Project
The area is a great example of King Island coastal bushland, including peaceful gullies and lookout spots. It was overrun by weeds and most of it was very difficult to access, but plantings and natural regeneration have turned this area into a thriving, diverse coastal habitat. An old track used many years ago by Currie Lighthouse keepers has been resurrected and again links the lighthouse and museum with the harbour. Regular field days have been held with funding from the Australian Government Communities Environment Program, CCNRM and KI Council and TasPorts.
Currie Wharf field days will now be organised by volunteers and will be held occasionally. These are popular events with volunteers planting native tree seedlings and managing weeds, and will continue as possible. The KILG on-ground work crew will contribute to this project whenever funding allows. Everyone is welcome to help with planting, weeding and other maintenance of the wharf area. Please contact us on 64621825 if you would like to contribute.
Photos from Field Day 25 July 2021:
Invasive Species control
KILG liaises with King Island Council, DPIPWE (especially Biosecurity and Parks and Wildlife) to promote management of weeds, feral cats, deer, and wallaby.
Landcare and sustainable agriculture
KILG promotes Landcare and sustainable agriculture to farmers and land managers on King Island. Until June 2018 KINRM employed a Regional Landcare Facilitator but this position is no longer funded. The Cradle Coast Authority NRM Sustainable Agriculture team works to protect and improve our productive landscapes by ensuring a sustainable balance between economic, environmental and social values. They frequently offer training and networking opportunities for landholders, and occasionally have funding available for special projects.
Funding our Activities
KILG are now able to accept tax deductible donations. DONATE TO KING ISLAND LANDCARE GROUP
Thanks to Landcare Tasmania for their support to use their Deductible Gift Recipient facility
The Moonbird Festival | King Island, Tasmania
April 2023, 2024 and 2025 was a feast of music, art, food & wine. Founded and directed by the Bowerbird Collective, this event brought together some of Australia’s finest musicians for a series of spellbinding concerts. KILG are so thankful for the donations from so many artists and businesses for our fundraising events and to the small army of volunteers supporting the Moonbird Festival. We are hoping this festival can become an annual event and are looking for ideas from anyone interested in supporting Moonbird Festival 2024.
Last Updated on 24 August 2026