Conservation and Heritage
The Great Western Tiers is the northern face of the Central Plateau of Tasmania. Several new reserves have been created on the upper levels of the escarpment to protect a variety of plant and animal species. The Central Plateau Conservation Area, above the escarpment, is the most northern edge of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. It is famous for its unique endemic flora and its stunning landforms. It is quite different from other alpine areas of Australia.
The valley of Jackeys Marsh, at the base of the Great Western Tiers escarpment contains a wide assemblage of forest and other plant communities. The slopes of the valley are heavily forested while the valley floor has been used sporadically for farming for the last century. Most of the land on the valley floor is privately owned and conservation covenants cover part of it. These have been put in place by current owners to protect the vegetation and landscape values of the valley for future generations.
Landscape
The valley retains the landscape values of 19th century rural Australia. Winding roads are overhung with trees, meandering creeks support native wildlife and there are no power-lines or intensive agriculture to spoil the soft lines of the valley edge. Local residents have worked hard to maintain this landscape idyll of another century.
Vegetation
The forests of the valley have significant heritage values. Situated at the junction of the eastern drier forests of the north and east and the wetter eucalypt and rainforests of the south and west, the complexity of the vegetation communities is unique in Tasmania. As well, the valley has some of the steepest climate gradients in Australia with native grasslands on the valley floor and alpine vegetation closer to the edge of the Great Western Tiers escarpment. On a day walk up the slopes you can cross from valley floor swamps and grassland through the whole climate sequence of tall eucalypt forest, through rainforest to alpine vegetation. And you can do this on a hand built track, constructed by convicts in the 1860′s.
Alpine
The Central Plateau Conservation Area, at the top of the track is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and is known as the land of 1000 lakes and tarns. It contains many Tasmanian endemic plant species, including the two Athrotaxis species which are related to the Californian redwoods, Athrotaxis selaginoides and Athrotaxis cupressoides.
Threatened Species
The vegetation communities in the valley of Jackeys Marsh support some important threatened species. Swift parrots feed in the spring, there is a resident population of spotted quolls, white goshawks nest within the valley and wedge-tailed eagles can regularly be seen overhead spiraling on the thermals of the escarpment. Over 40 species of Tasmanian birds have been recorded in the valley and most of the marsupial species are residents.
Habitation
Human occupation of the valley dates back 4000 years when rock shelters around the valley rim were used by the local indigenous people of that time. Between 1860 and 1950 the valley was used as a route to the Central Plateau wilderness area for stock grazing and later the construction of a hydro-electric lake. A century ago there was a school, a post office, a boarding house and many families in the valley. Most of the early residents were Irish Catholics, in contrast to the mainly Baptist community on the outside of the valley on the better quality land of the river flats.
Today the valley is largely inhabited by alternative lifestylers who have built their own houses; produce their own electricity from alternative energy sources, sun and water; and work hard to maintain the conservation and heritage values of the valley.
Forestry
Forestry was one of the occupations of the early residents. Evidence remains of old tramways, sawmills and large trees felled with handsaws. Today forestry is a contentious issue. In a sea of surrounding forest destruction, caused by the clearfelling and burning practices of the modern forestry industry, the valley of Jackeys Marsh is an oasis of forest tranquility. Giant trees of over 60 metres in height inhabit the slopes of the valley, along with the wildlife they support. Old growth rainforest communities are within easy reach of the forest floor and walking tracks.
Over the past 20 years the Jackeys Marsh residents have fought long and hard to have the forests and other heritage values of the valley protected. Although a significant proportion of the old growth and alpine forest has now been protected in reserves, the forests of Quamby Bluff and other parts of the valley are still identified for clear-felling. By visiting these forests and telling others about your experience you can help to protect them.