Cradle Coast NRM

06/09/2026

🍪 Threatened Species Bake Off: Iced Biscuit Edition!

Who says threatened species have to be made from cake? This year, Jason got creative with a collection of iced biscuits celebrating some of Tasmania’s most iconic and fascinating wildlife. 🐾🌊

The collection includes a Tasmanian Devil, Big-bellied Seahorse, Southern Brown Bandicoot, Azure Kingfisher, Tasmanian Tiger and Maugean Skate.

Not all of these species are threatened, the Big-bellied Seahorse is here simply because it’s cool, but each is a special part of Tasmania’s incredible natural heritage.

Jason is entering the Open Category, as well as entering the Organisation Category on behalf of CCNRM. 🍪🎂

Good luck, Jason! 🤞

Threatened Species Commissioner

06/09/2026

🌸 Threatened Species Bake Off: Rocky Cape Midge Orchid

Small but spectacular, the Rocky Cape Midge Orchid (Genoplesium brachystachyum) is a tiny orchid found only in Tasmania.

This delicate terrestrial orchid usually grows in coastal heath among rocky places. It has a single slender leaf and produces just a handful of tiny green, brownish-green and reddish flowers, each only around 5 mm long!

Despite its small size, this orchid is a fascinating part of Tasmania’s unique flora, flowering between February and April.

For this year’s Threatened Species Bake Off, Isabella brought this tiny Tasmanian orchid to life in cake form! 🎂

Keep an eye out as we share more of this year’s creations.
Cradle Coast NRM will be entering both the Open Award and Organisation Award.
Threatened Species Commissioner

05/09/2026

🐟 Threatened Species Bake Off: Australian Grayling

The Australian Grayling (Prototroctes maraena) is a unique native fish found only in south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania’s coastal river systems.

These vulnerable fish need both freshwater and marine environments to complete their lifecycle. Adults live and spawn in cool, clear rivers and streams before their larvae drift downstream to the sea. Juveniles then make the journey back into freshwater, a journey that can take them up to 100 kilometres inland when waterways are connected and free from barriers.

Barriers to fish movement, changes to river flows, declining water quality and habitat loss have all contributed to the decline of Australian Grayling populations.

At Cradle Coast NRM, we’re working to improve river health and restore habitat across the region, helping create healthier waterways where species like the Australian Grayling can thrive. 🌿💧

🐟 Australian Grayling cake by Kylie
Cradle Coast NRM will be entering both the Open Award and Organisation Award.

Threatened Species Commissioner

04/09/2026

🦉 Threatened Species Bake Off: Tasmanian Masked Owl

The Tasmanian Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae castanops) is an EPBC-listed subspecies found only in Tasmania.
These impressive owls rely on tree hollows for breeding, but hollows take a long time to form around 80 years for small hollows and up to 200 years for large ones. Habitat clearing for forestry and farming remains a major threat.

Masked Owls also face competition for these precious hollows from invasive species such as starlings and rainbow lorikeets. They can also be affected by rodenticide poisoning in agricultural and peri-urban areas, a particular concern given owls are such effective, toxin-free pest controllers.

But judging by the colourful pellet popped out by this Cradle Coast NRM creation, it looks like some owls might be getting their own back on the pests! 🌈🦉

🍌 Banana cake with dark and white chocolate decoration by Iona
🪵 Hollow by Hrstich

Keep an eye out as we share more of our Threatened Species Bake Off creations! There is still time to put your entry in!

Cradle Coast NRM will be entering both the Open Award and Organisation Award.
Threatened Species Commissioner

03/09/2026

🎂 Threatened Species Bake Off 2026! 🐦

The Cradle Coast NRM team got involved in the 2026 Threatened Species Bake Off, turning some of our region’s incredible threatened species into some seriously impressive cakes!

This year’s creations have spanned everything from Australian Grayling to the Tasmanian Masked Owl, with plenty of creativity (and a fair bit of icing!) along the way.

This year is the 10th anniversary celebration of the . Entries are open from 1-15th September. Over that time, we’ll be sharing some of the incredible cakes our team created and the threatened species that inspired them. 🌿🧁

We’d love to see your creations, please send us a picture of your entry! To enter post your picture, tag Threatened Species Commissioner and

Keep an eye out for the series – and maybe get inspired to bake for a threatened species yourself!

03/09/2026

What is so great about worms?

Worms are soil-dwelling animals that help break down organic matter and keep soil functioning. They might not look like much, but they’re doing a lot of work beneath our feet.

Why are they good? 🪱

They improve soil structure: their tunnels create spaces for air and water to move through the soil.

They help filter water: their tunnels help rain soak into the ground, while soil and microorganisms can trap and process nutrients and pollutants.

They recycle nutrients: worms break down dead plant material and turn it into nutrient-rich castings that plants can use, also providing plant-available phosphorus in two forms

They help plants grow healthier: better-structured soil gives plant roots more access to water, air and nutrients.

They support soil life: worm activity helps create conditions for other beneficial soil organisms.

So, essentially: worms are tiny soil ecosystem engineers, recyclers and water managers working - underground. 🪱🌱💧

This project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program and delivered by Cradle Coast NRM, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.

02/09/2026

🌱 W**d Wednesday: Rice Grass

It might look like an ordinary grass, but rice grass (Spartina anglica) is one of Tasmania’s most damaging estuarine w**ds.

Rice grass forms dense stands across tidal flats and saltmarsh, crowding out native plants and changing the habitat that fish, birds and other wildlife rely on.

That’s why rice grass control is a key part of work happening in the Mersey River estuary through the Australian Government’s Urban Rivers and Catchments Program.
Cradle Coast NRM is working to control rice grass and improve habitat for species including Eastern Curlew, Australasian Bittern and Australian Grayling, while helping restore the health of the Mersey estuary.

Controlling this invasive w**d isn't just about removing a plant, it's about giving native saltmarsh and estuarine habitats room to recover. 🌿

This project is funded by the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program with the support of the Bookend Trust.

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01/09/2026

The Cradle Coast of Tasmania is home to people who are committed to making the west coast, north west Tasmania and King Island better places to live, work and study. Brand Tasmania is seeking to understand why people choose to live in Tasmania and what might motivate them to leave, with the research intended to help inform decision-makers.

The survey will provide valuable insight into the complexities of living in this island state, asking people what they find easy or challenging about life in Tasmania. Brand Tasmania has commissioned Dr Lisa Denny and the University of Tasmania's Tasmania Policy Exchange (TPE) to investigate the experiences of people living across the state.

People are what makes a place come alive. Many individuals have been drawn to Tasmania for its pristine wilderness and quiet culture. While others have had to find what they desired elsewhere. The research undertaken will explore the factors that influence people's decisions to move to or leave from Tasmania, including work, university, career opportunities and other aspects of life.

Cradle Coast NRM will benefit from the research outcomes, using these insights to help guide future decisions and strengthen our understanding of the needs and experiences of people across the region.

The unvarnished, honest opinions and perspectives shared through the survey will help build a clearer picture of life in Tasmania and contribute to shaping a better future for everyone here.

To better understand what Tasmanians need in the future, we’re inviting you to participate in a short survey about your experiences living here. We’d love to know what is easy or hard about living in Tasmania, how connected you feel to your community, and the things that may influence you to leave or stay in your local area and in Tasmania.

✖️ tasmanian.com.au/population-survey

The survey takes 7 minutes to complete and is completely anonymous. It is open to anyone age 18 or older who is either currently living in Tasmania, or has lived here sometime in the past five years.

Share your thoughts, and you can choose to go into a prize draw to win one of five $50 gift cards.

Thank you for helping to shape Tasmania’s future!

This study has been approved by the University of Tasmania Human Research Ethics Committee (H40733).

31/08/2026

🌿 We’re hiring: Waterways & Coastlines Program Manager

Help shape the future of waterways, wetlands and coasts across north-west Tasmania.

Cradle Coast NRM is looking for an experienced and collaborative Waterways & Coastlines Program Manager to lead a diverse portfolio of projects. You’ll lead a small project team, build strong partnerships with stakeholders, and turn science and strategy into practical environmental outcomes.

We’re looking for someone with:

🌱 Environmental/NRM knowledge and experience
🤝 Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership skills
📋 Project, financial and contract management experience
👥 Experience leading and supporting teams
💬 Excellent communication skills

📍 Full-time | Fixed 24-month contract (negotiable)
📅 Applications close 5 PM, Sunday 27 September 2026
👉 View the full position description and apply:
https://cradlecoast.com/job/waterways-coastlines-manager/

Applications should include a brief cover letter and current CV, submitted to [email protected].

Questions? Contact Bonnie Bonneville on [email protected] or 03 6433 8400.

26/08/2026

W**d Wednesday – Arum Lily 🌿

You might recognise arum lily from gardens, but this plant can quickly become a problem when it escapes into the bush.

Arum lily can spread through wetlands, waterways, natural areas and pastures, where it can:

🌱 Outcompete native plants
🐄 Reduce pasture productivity
💧 Choke waterways
☠️ Poison people, pets, livestock and native animals

And it’s toxic! All parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause painful irritation and swelling of the mouth and throat, vomiting, difficulty swallowing and, in severe cases, death.

If you suspect a person has been poisoned, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26. If they are unconscious or having difficulty breathing, call 000 immediately.

👉 Know your w**ds, spot arum lily and help stop its spread.

**dWednesday **dManagement

The Cradle Coast Regional Priority W**ds Project is supported by the Tasmanian Government.