Rebuilding Our Forests, One Plant at a Time
Rebuilding Our Forests, One Plant at a Time
Restoring the Bounty project – Norfolk Island National Park
When you hear “Restoring the Bounty,” you might picture shipwrights hammering away at timbers, bringing an old vessel back to life. But here on Norfolk Island, this project is tackling something even more ambitious – restoring the island’s native forests.
To the untrained eye, our landscape appears lush and green, but a closer look reveals a different story. Much of that greenery consists of invasive weeds, which can outcompete native species and threaten the delicate balance of our unique ecosystem.
In 2018, a vegetation mapping project was undertaken by The TerrMar Project and the Invasive Species Council, producing island-wide vegetation maps of Norfolk Island: one showing current native plant communities and another showing the native plant communities predicted to have been present in 1750.
It’s remarkable to see the extent of changes that have occurred over the past 250 years. And equally obvious that any project aiming to support ecosystem recovery on Norfolk needs to start with habitat restoration. This is essential to improve the extent and condition of critical habitat for the island’s wildlife, including many threatened bird species, such as the Norfolk Island Robin.
A Major Investment in Norfolk’s Future
Recognising the unique biodiversity of Norfolk Island, including many threatened species, the island is identified as a Priority Place under the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032, and $3.8 million has been invested through the Saving Native Species program to support ecological restoration. With this funding, the Restoring the Bounty project was launched, bringing together a dedicated team to focus on four key objectives:
1. Increased seed collection and propagation of native plants.
2. Targeted weed control in the national park, reserves, and private land.
3. Revegetation and restoration of heavily impacted forest types, including viny hardwood forest, plateau hardwood forest, and lowland valley forest.
4. Expanded management of free- roaming cats and feral birds to protect native species.
So how far can $3.8M really get?
In short, a surprising distance. The funding has provided an incredible opportunity to invest in focused restoration efforts. In fact, most members of the team are still in disbelief at the scale of impact they have made in just a few short months. Already, the ground habitat crew have reached 50% of their target for clearing woody weeds – that’s 4 times faster than planned. The dry period over summer has slowed down their planting efforts, but with long awaited rain due in April, they will make short work on filling the cleared areas with native vegetation. Meanwhile, strategic weed control continues to transform habitat ready for new plantings.
Our nursery is bursting at the seams with seedlings now spilling into the aisles, and every available space being reserved for potting up. In just five months, the team have potted up 23,000 plants.
Feral animal control is an important component of habitat restoration and protection of many plant and animal species. Our two Integrated Pest Control officers are working hard and achieving amazing success in reducing the number of feral chickens and introduced red parrots (crimson rosellas) across the island, as well as reducing feral cats in council reserves and on select private land, with landowners permission.
Focus for 2025
While the program extends out to 2026 the next phase of Restoring the Bounty takes the project beyond the national park. An exciting development is the expansion of restoration work on private land, with the support of landowners —a crucial step toward long-term ecological recovery. Works are also planned for public reserves, in partnership with the Norfolk Island Regional Council, building on their previous efforts.
While improving habitat health in the national park and reserves is important, you can see from those maps that these areas already hold most of the remnant vegetation on the island.
In other words, they are already offering the best tier support to our native fauna species. A vital next step (and what the name Restoring the Bounty is really founded in) is building up habitat pockets across the island, creating a patchwork of connectivity between private land and remnant patches that have persisted in the national park and other reserves. By slowly rebuilding these patches, any species with smaller ranges, or really anything that cannot simply just fly over unsuitable habitat patches, such as one of the 60 endemic snail species on the island, have a greater chance of expanding their territories.
A Project for Generations to Come
So, next time you see a Restoring the Bounty vehicle drive past or spot the team working in the forest, take a moment to appreciate the scale of their efforts. Their work isn’t just about the here and now – it’s about ensuring Norfolk Island’s natural heritage is preserved for generations to come.
With each invasive species removed, each native plant grown, and each hectare restored, this project is laying the groundwork for a healthier, more resilient ecosystem – and that is something truly worth celebrating.
Norfolk Island National Park and Botanic Gardens are the ideal place to experience the island’s unique flora and fauna.
Learn more at: www.parksaustralia.gov.au
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The Norfolk Island Robin (Petroica multicolor) is a small multicoloured bird endemic to the island. There is no mistaking the male Robin’s spectacular red breast, with his female counterpart showing a breast of warm tones. In Spring time, these tiny birds, measuring just 12cm in length, are busy making their nests, complex woven baskets made from plants and spiderwebs, camouflaged with lichens and moss.
Palm Glen within the national park is a favourite haunt for these birds – look for them on the posts near the main carpark.
Calystegia affinis is a key plant species for the Restoring the Bounty project. This rare vine is endemic to Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island, and it’s incredibly scarce, with less than 40 known plants on Norfolk and fewer than 10 on Lord Howe.
But, thanks to hard work by our Restoring the Bounty nursery team, over 700 seeds of the Calystegia vines have been collected with 70 plants successfully propagated and now ready to be carefully planted out in habitat restoration areas.
This vine showcases deeply lobed leaves and a beautiful white funnel-shaped flower as it creeps or climbs. You can spot a population of this vine growing roadside up Mt Pitt Rd!
Advena campbellii, also known as the Campbell’s keeled glass-snail, was thought to be extinct, until a single population was found in a valley (now affectionately named Advena valley) by local scientist Mark Scott. This exciting discovery launched Australia’s first captive breed program, which after a shaky start is now hugely successful. So successful, that a translocation project is underway to bring these little islanders home this year. You’re unlikely to encounter this incredibly rare snail in the park, but keep a keen eye out for any of the other 60 endemic snails that call Norfolk Island home.
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Image Credit: Norfolk Island National Park
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Article content disclaimer: Article first published in Discover Norfolk, Volume 08 Issue 01, 2025. Please note that details of specific travel, accommodation and touring options may be outdated. References to people, places and businesses, including operating days and times may be have changed. References to Government structure and Government businesses/entities may no longer be applicable. Please check directly with businesses and/or Government websites directly rather than relying on any information contained in this article before you make travel arrangements.
