This biolink project ran from 2010-2013. It provides a passage for wildlife to migrate safely between the extensive Main Ridge Flora Reserve and pockets of native vegetation on private properties along the Mornington-Flinders Road and Old Cottontree Road.  It has been hailed as an important step in maintaining the diversity of small fauna on the Mornington Peninsula.

The link was developed by the Mantons and Stony Creeks Landcare Group with financial assistance from the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority, energy company Jemena, and local landholders.

Our part of the south-east peninsula is blessed with some superb surviving natural habitat, in parks and reserves and along creek lines. Many landowners have also retained areas of natural bush and planted windbreaks along fence lines. Pockets could support a remarkable array of small fauna, including bandicoots, ringtail possums, the tiny, mouse-like antechinus, echidnas, native swamp rat  and small skinks and lizards.

These creatures are small, shy and often nocturnal, so many landholders do not realise what a diverse and extended wildlife family their plantings support. Studies show colonies of such creatures are more likely to be viable if there are vegetation links allowing them to move about – to prevent inbreeding or overpopulation, or to re-stock if populations become too low. They need good groundcover – tall grasses and small shrubs – to screen them from predators if they are to travel.

We hope when others see what they have done – and how attractive the plantings can be – that other landholders will support the concept.