To support the protection and conservation of migratory winged species and boost collaboration between large landscape initiatives in Tasmania and the mainland, GER partners with the North East Bioregional Network.

The North East Bioregional Network (NEBN) works with a broad range of community groups, government agencies, private companies and landowners in north-eastern Tasmania to protect, maintain, and restore the ecological integrity and resilience of the East Coast Conservation Corridor. This includes Restore Skyline Tier – a long-term project to return 2,000ha of pine plantation back to diverse native forest – that won a Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia (SERA) International Award in 2021.

GER and NEBN work collaboratively to develop conservation projects that link efforts between the island state and the mainland to assist a host of migratory birds, bats and insects; build community capacity to support and deliver a network of ecohealth projects across eastern Australia; bring together community networks and organisations; share knowledge, tools and lessons learned, and promote connectivity and large landscape conservation.

GER is currently working with NEBN to scope out several cross-regional conservation projects. These include:

• The monitoring of migratory birds moving between Tasmania and the mainland and the restoration and protection of their seasonal habitat and food sources on either side of the Bass Strait.
• Tracking of microbat species – tiny bats that despite their diminutive size can consume up to 40% of their body weight in insects in a single night – that have recently been spotted making the journey across from the mainland to Tasmania for the first time. This work will help to guide the understanding and distribution of the mammals as well as help inform the mapping and prioritisation of core bat habitats for protection and restoration.
• Working to provide on ground employment and training opportunities in conservation and restoration for people in rural and remote regions. Participants, which include disadvantaged youth, unemployed and indigenous people, benefit from improved economic security, social integration, mental and physical health and attainment of accredited conservation land management qualifications.