Monash Grassland is located adjacent to Isabella Pond and William Hudson Crescent in Monash. It is beautiful example of Natural Temperate Grassland (NTG) with an array of native grasses, forbs and shrubs; NTG is one of Australia’s most endangered terrestrial ecological communities.
Native grasslands are vegetation communities dominated (>50% cover) by a range of perennial native grasses and can contain a diversity of native orchids, lilies, and daisies (native forbs) and a variety of rushes and sedges. These native grasslands are home to a diversity of native plants, invertebrates (such as bees, ants, flies, butterflies, moths and beetles, grasshoppers and spiders), reptiles, amphibians (frogs, turtles), mammals and birds. Many are either listed as threatened or rare and uncommon in the ACT. Animals that live in and visit grasslands are essential for ecosystem functions such as pollination, seed and fungi dispersal, plant germination, soil water infiltration and storage, nutrient cycling, and maintenance of soil condition. It is natural for these native grasslands to have no native shrubs and trees (<10% cover).
Can you find Kangaroo Grass?
The dominant native grass at this site is Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra) – a tufted, perennial that can grow up to 1.5m tall, with a distinct seed head and green to grey leaves which turn orange during summer. Kangaroo grass seeds are edible and high in protein, the seeds can be ground to make flour and eaten. Aboriginal families have cared for this land for generations and tended areas of kangaroo grass as an important and delicious food for humans and habitat for animals.
Grasslands need your love!
We need to protect Natural Temperate Grassland and other native grassland patches. Threats to the ACT’s native grasslands include weeds, the impacts of urbanisation and development, introduced pest animals, inappropriate levels of grazing and fire, and climate change.
You can help look after Monash Grassland by joining the local volunteer group to care for this site and protect existing and new native plants. Working bees are held every month on the first Saturday. To join the group mail list and hear about upcoming events please email Zohara at ecologist@sactcg.org.au.