A herbivore exclusion zone was established in 2022 measuring 680 sqm, and another established in 2025 measuring 750 sqm. These areas were fenced off to exclude introduced rabbits and indigenous swamp wallabies. The zones have fostered the natural regeneration of hundreds of currant-wood plants and the recovery of 45 other indigenous species. Many of the species that have recovered, had been lost from the landscape for decades and four had never previously been recorded for Phillip Island. The exclusion zones are establishing the ongoing production of seed reserves and providing important habitat and food sources for insects and small birds. Herbivores are an important part of the ecosystem in that they control plant growth, creating space for other plants to establish. In time, more exclusion zones will be created within the 10-hectare vegetation community, establishing areas at different levels of growth, and the long-established exclusion zones will be opened up for certain periods to allow limited browsing to occur.

For currant-wood (Monotoca glauca), constructing a fenced coop is more effective than installing nursery grown plants and applying individual tree guards. In 2024, 22% of the currant wood plants installed with tree guards
survived and in contrast, over 700 currant wood plants have naturally emerged and thrived. Some of these plants are now several years old and have reached heights of 120 cm. After two years, the populations of common heath (Epacris impressa), common aotus (Aotus ericoides), grey parrot peas (Dillwynia cinerascens), various orchid species and grass triggerplants (Stylidium graminifolium) within the coop are now in the hundreds, and a noteworthy observation in 2024 was the discovery of a population of pepper top sun orchids (Thelymitra brevifolia).

THREATENED FLORA PRODUCTION
The Barb Martin Bushbank nursery successfully propagated a range of locally rare ground-flora including chocolate lily (Arthropodium strictum), pale vanilla lily (Arthropodium milleflorum), yam daisy (Microseris walteri) and bulbine lily (Bulbine bulbosa). After a few successful years of research and trials, our threatened species production abilities have moved to a stronger position where we are producing our own seed and germplasm material for production and storage.

Species in production at the Barb Martin Bushbank include Amphibromus fluitans, Amphibromus sinuatus, Atriplex paludosa subsp paludosa, Eucalyptus globulus subsp globulus, Exocarpus syrticola, Lawrencia spicata, Limonium australe var. australe, Monotoca glauca, Olearia sp2, Oxalis rubens, Poa halmaturina, Poa poiformis var. ramifer, and Pomaderris oraria.