Friends of Tamar Island Wetlands Reserve

Where we work

Tamar Island Wetlands, sits on the northern outskirts of Launceston – a ten minute drive from the city centre along the West Tamar Highway. The wetlands are an area of approximately 60ha of tidal and low-lying flats interspersed with channels. The island is an elevated area of 7ha where there are remnants of earlier days of occupation. The wetlands are part of the Tamar River Conservation Area and are managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service.

A boardwalk of 1.5km was completed in 1994 enabling easy access to the island and a pontoon has been constructed on the Tamar Estuary side of the island to enable access by boat. The award winning interpretation centre, opened in 2000, is a very valuable asset for environmental and conservation studies as well as an interpretation and educational facility for adults and students.

Flora

The wetlands are dominated by reeds and sedges such as the common reed, Phragmites australis which grows to about three metres . In some areas along the boardwalk rare and endangered species can be found. Copses of the paperbark, Melaleuca ericifolia, can be found on the verges of the wetlands.

Fauna

There is an abundance of wildlife to be found in the wetlands which are a haven for birds, mammals, reptiles, frogs, fish and invertebrates. Aquatic macro-invertebrates are found during the warmer months. There are four species of fish and five species of frogs (including the green and gold frog). Reptiles include three species of skinks (including the rare glossy grass skink) and the copperhead snake. There are nine species of mammals and over fifty species of birds.

What we do

Friends of Tamar Island Wetlands Reserve works in partnership with Parks and Wildlife Service to maintain and sustainably manage the natural wetlands habitat and activities assigned to us include catching and keeping records of the invasive fish gambusia, monitoring birdlife and pests, (such as feral cats) and identifying and reporting weeds. We also collaborate closely with the volunteers who work with Parks and Wildlife Service to host visitors to the Tamar Island Wetlands Centre. We aim to work with Parks and Wildlife Service to conduct projects and quarterly working bees.

Our Contacts

President – foftiwr@gmail.com