Wimmera
The Wimmera region in western Victoria contains an extremely diverse range of communities.
These include the wet and rugged Grampians Ranges, the Mt Cole Ranges and Pyrenees Ranges where rainfall can be up to 750mm per year. In other parts of the region, the Little Desert and the Big Desert represent large, dry, sandy expanses, where rainfall is lucky to reach 350mm per year.
There is also a great range in soil types in the region. From the sands of the Grampians and the deserts, through to the heavy alluvial Wimmera grey and red clays. Areas of granite sands and loams are also present, as well as metamorphic hills and ridges, auriferous alluvial sediments and even wind blown gypsum and silty-sand lunettes near the extensive lakes and wetlands in the region.
As a result of these climatic and soil variations there are numerous different vegetation communities in the region, many of which remain threatened. Of particular importance are the grasslands and grassy woodlands of the open plains. These are now largely destroyed, with only tiny and highly fragmented remnants remaining.
Only 14 per cent of the land in the region remains uncleared, and of this two per cent is privately owned
Despite many challenges, the Wimmera recently became the first Victorian region to have protected 10,000 hectares of bushland through Trust for Nature's conservation covenants program.
Contacts:
Adam Blake
Wimmera Regional Manager
Mobile: 0429 431 099
PO Box 1020, Horsham 3402
adamb@tfn.org.au
Fiona Copley
Wimmera Conservation Officer
Mobile: 0408 177 989
PO Box 1020, Horsham 3402
fionac@tfn.org.au
Ellie Clark
Wimmera Project Officer
Mobile: 0477 299 848
PO Box 1020, Horsham 3402
elliec@tfn.org.au