Everyone needs to drink – whether you are human, cow, sheep, bird or frog. Unfortunately, not everyone likes to share their water with all of the listed animals! Longwood Plains Conservation Management Network have started their farm dams for wildlife project – fencing a selection of farm dams across the Longwood Plains from stock and improving habitat values for wildlife. This includes creating some shallows, placing logs and rocks, adding aquatic vegetation and some surrounding shrubs to improve conditions for birds and frogs, amenity and water quality.

A group of Longwood landholders came to visit the Euroa Arboretum on Monday night, 18th November to have a look at a wetland in progress, (built in October 2012). Some of the key features noted were the shallow scrapes that are wet through winter, but dry throughout summer. While they look less appealing without water, mud flat provide a great place to forage if you happen to be a wading bird, and allow a whole sequence of new plants to grow as the mud dries. Of note at the Arb wetlands is the Old Man Weed, (Centipedia cunninghamii) that has taken off on its own – a favourite of Traditional Owners for its healing ability. Semi submerged plants provide refuge for invertebrates and frogs, and adjacent shrubs are great for small birds. With the Common Tussock Grass, (Poa labilliadiera) in seed at the moment, Diamond Firetails are periodically visiting to make the most of the seed.