Shade Shelter

At Bear & Twigg, we are navigating the complex balance between trees and grasslands on our property. While trees provide valuable shade and shelter for our sheep, they can also disrupt the stable grassland ecosystem. Our goal is to find a way for both to coexist, providing a greater combined environmental outcome.

Introducing trees or shrubs taller than two meters into a native grassland can disrupt the ecosystem. Many grassland birds, such as the Plains Wanderer and Songlark, are not strong flyers and are vulnerable to predators. Birds of prey like the Whistling Kite and Brown Falcon often roost in trees, making it easy for them to spot and catch ground-dwelling birds and reptiles. Additionally, large trees can alter the surrounding environment by creating shade, which leads to a loss of moisture and nutrients, and can even result in bare ground.

For these reasons, the ideal tree cover for grasslands is less than 2%, and for shrublands (like a lignum swamp), it's less than 5%.

Despite the challenges, we recognize the importance of providing shade and shelter for our sheep and other native animals, especially as climate extremes increase. While sheep in full wool are well-insulated and often prefer open, breezy areas to camp, newly shorn sheep and newborn lambs are vulnerable to harsh weather. A sheep needs about 6-8 weeks to regrow enough wool for effective temperature regulation.

We are exploring a whole-farm master plan to strategically plant trees and shrubs in areas that won't negatively affect our native grassland ecosystems. By collaborating with ecologists and organisations like "Farming for the Future," we are confident we can plant windbreaks in less significant areas of our farm. The positive impact of a multi-row windbreak is evident in our garden, where it has nearly eliminated the effects of harsh winds on plants. This approach allows us to provide essential shade and shelter while maintaining the health and diversity of our native landscapes.