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Regularly ridding the property of weeds by hand, Ms Beach rarely cuts dead or burnt trees down as they are the habitat of bats.<\/p>\n
The land includes a wetland area with islands, and iconic wildlife including echidnas, possums, kangaroos, frogs and turtles live there.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a fallen gum tree in the water which has been in there for five years. Underneath, there is a whole ecosystem.\u201d<\/p>\n
One hundred and seventy-two species of birds have been documented on site, bees are supported by the wildflowers, kangaroo apple thrives with its bright purple flowers, and plenty of bottlebrush is popping up naturally at about 20 centimetres high.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s so much bush medicine in this area, which people mow over or slash. They think the property is unkept, but I invite them to come in and have a look because they don\u2019t know what\u2019s here,\u201d Ms Beach said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish people could understand and see the value of this land for themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
She emphasised that her family is \u201cnot na\u00efve,\u201d but in fact \u201cvery fire aware.\u201d<\/p>\n
In case of a fire emergency, Ms Beach has seven water tanks, firefighting training and equipment, radios, and full fire-resistant clothing.<\/p>\n
She is working with Wadawurrung traditional owners to manage the space\u2019s native growth and level of safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce the season is over, we do a cultural burn. We do it in patches. We don\u2019t leave it like this, we do look after it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Traditional artefacts have been found on the property. A cultural dig is planned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to share the land with the Wadawurrung people regularly and have that friendship. They learn, and we learn,\u201d Ms Beach said.<\/p>\n
She is exploring putting a permanent Trust for Nature conservation covenant on the 14 acres so the property is never subdivided, and wildlife is protected.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE native plants and animals on Sandy Beach\u2019s rural property are connecting her to fellow lovers of the wild Australian environment. The owner of a 14-acre block burnt in last year\u2019s Bunkers Hill fire, Ms Beach has let the land around her home regenerate naturally. Incidentally, 18 species of vibrant wildflowers, from ground cover to […]<\/p>\n