The Wildlife Land Fund (WLFL), a separate non-profit company set up by WPSQ in 2001, was launched on 30th April 2002 in the auditorium of the Queensland Museum in South Brisbane. The launch marked the acquisition of the Fund's first property, Bukkulla Reserve, some 1813 hectares of the grazing property 'Lorna Vale' located 10 km north of Marlborough, Central Queensland. WLFL contributed $221,000 to the purchase price, and this comprised a major grant from the Natural Heritage Trust through the Commonwealth Government, donations from Fund members, WPSQ members and branches, borrowings arranged by WLFL and a major contribution from the Queensland government. Bukkulla will be declared a Conservation Park with the Land Fund as the sole trustee.

The Reserve supports semi-evergreen vine thicket poorly represented in the Queensland reserve system The Reserve is home for rare and vulnerable plant and animal species including the Imperial Hairstreak Butterfly, the Unadorned Rock-Wallaby and vine thicket shrub on serpentinite (which includes Actephila sessilifolia ). Along the creek valleys, a wide range of eucalypt and Casuarina species have a near pristine ground layer of native grasses, orchids and herbage. Previous stocking of cattle has been light and the fire regime and weed control program have enabled the vegetation to be in surprisingly good condition. There are two windmills on the Reserve but no buildings or other structures.

Management and Scientific committees have been established for Bukkulla Reserve. Work is in progress on a Statement of Management Intentions. Once these have been achieved there will be a clear policy on access. In the interim WLFL is not encouraging visitation.

A National Weed grant has been obtained to assist in the control of Rubber Vine, which has infested one of the hillsides and part of the Wellington Creek.

The registration of WLFL as an Environmental Organisation is with the Commonwealth Government for consideration. Once registered donations to WLFL's Public Fund will be tax deductible. There is a joining fee of $5 and an annual fee of $20.

WLFL needs a minimum of $ 25,000 to operate effectively and service its debt in this its first year of operations. To place this in perspective to date for an outlay of about $20,000 WLFL has attracted about $290,000 in funding from the Commonwealth and the Queensland Governments for the benefit of conservation in Queensland. If WLFL is to achieve its full potential then it will need to raise many more dollars on an annual basis. Our vision is reflected in our mission statement:

"Protect and enhance the natural environment in an ecologically sustainable way."

The Land Fund is one way members of the public can contribute to 'off-Park' conservation of the environment in Queensland. As funds permit, further acquisitions and bequests should add to the overall conservation value of the Land Fund.

A leaflet and constitution of the Land Fund are available from WPSQ. Inquiries should be addressed to the Chair of Directors, Mr Des Boyland

For more information about the poultry shed grant scheme and other activities, contact Wildlife Queensland by email or call +61 7 3221 0194.