John Harris: Re-veg legend retires
Not many quiet achievers become legends in their own lifetime, but retiring Parks Victoria ranger John Harris is one of those. Over the past fifteen years John has been responsible for the planning and planting at least 350,000 trees and shrubs across the Wimmera and South West Victoria.
After taking up the posting of Ranger in Charge at Stawell in 1994, John embarked on an ambitious plan to revegetate as many as possible of the hundred and fifty native reserves across the region. The agricultural area of Western Victoria is 85% cleared of its original vegetation and the remnants are found only in these scattered reserves. John and his team have revegetated 110 of them.
His approach was methodical; each site studied for its history and original vegetation, then seed collected from local species for propagation and replanting. One of the major reasons behind this remarkable achievement was his success in dealing with landholders who held leases on these reserves. Reclaiming land that has been used by farmers for many years can be very tricky. John always took a conciliatory approach to their loss of grazing land and offered to share fencing costs. He also says it helped having grey hair!
John is keen to point out that his methods of restoration weren’t just about planting trees and shrubs, but creating whole eco-systems, which bring back the surviving local native birds and animals. He says it always surprised him that even when the local native species were considered to be gone, they always re-appeared when the reserves were restored.
John is particularly proud of two projects.
One is the Lake Linlithgow Wetlands project near Hamilton, which was nothing but bare ground and a few trees when he started. Replanting and restoration began after the area was fenced off, and now this wetland is a thriving habitat for native birds and animals.
The other is Tabor Swamp near Penshurst, which was a cleared paddock which had been drained for grazing purposes. Earthworks were done to keep water in the swamp for longer periods, and create deep and shallow pools. The restored wetland now attracts hundreds of native birds, 77 species of migratory waterbirds, and native swamp rats and wallabies.
John Harris always saw himself as a restoration expert of a different kind; taking on something in poor condition and bring it back to its former glory, just like people do with cars! The difference he says is that these restored reserves just keep getting better over time. And as they do so, they will be a reminder and a visual legacy of his passion for environmental restoration.
Written by Sally Nowlan, Parks Victoria
Post Script: Sadly, John is no longer with us. He passed away in early January, 2010. Environment Victoria extends its condolensces to John's family and friends.
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John Harris Chief Ranger Parks Victoria, retired
Hamilton Field Naturalists and Parks Victoria open a tribute to john's work for the environment at lake Linlithgow November 2011. The lake aboounds with wildlife after a concerted effort to reintroduce native species along the banks of the lake and its water course. Birdlife is flourishing and Western Victoria begins its return to nauture.
John (Smiley) Harris
A Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow, John's 26 years of community work through Rotary will now be celebrated with an Annual Scholaship. Stawell Secondary College students will be able to apply for financial support to further their study in Environmental Sciences. John's family and Rotary have formed an ongoing partnership in his name.
John Harris
Smiley John Harris had a special interest in Africa where his twin brother Geoff a lecturer at Durban Uni introduced him to the Drackensburg Mountains. His brither and volunteer environmental activists are setting up a project to revegetate sections of these beautiful mountains and valleys, in John's name. His family, froiends and community groups are independently funding the project which will employ local villagers.
John (smiley) Harris
John's passing, although painful, is being recognised by Stawell Roatary Club and his family with an annual bequest. This will fund a Stawell Secondary student from the Grampians/Wimmera region to further their studies in Forest Science or Environmental Science. Building strong foundations for habitat, flora and fauna.
John Harris, JP, Paul Harris Fellow, National Fire Medal awards
John passed away6 January 2010 from Melanoma. His family pays tribute to the work of Dr. Ian Gawler and Prof. George Kannourakis. Working outdoors intimately involved with the natural environment also has its challenges, Melanoma being one. John would wish that all those committed to conservation also commit to self care. We need to keep all our dedicated warriors for the environment, take care and use sunscreen (not the ones with nano tech in them), walk lightly on the earth. Cheers from a healthy heavenly place, John's family
Congratulations on your retirement Dad!
Retirement or no retirement I know you'll continue supporting, nurturing and re vegetating our environment for a long time yet. I am proud of your contributions and achievements, I know it has been hard work and I believe I can speak on behalf of all Victorian's when I say THANK YOU for a job well done. I hope the generations to come can feel as inspired by your work as I am and that we all continue planting planting planting! Much respect to you.
John Harris Environmentalist
John can be contacted at his home in the Grampians on email kayeharris@gariwerd.com.au
John Harris Environmentalist, Ecologist and Conservationist
How good is this story! After 44 years in public service with the same department John reitres due to ill health. He remains passionate about wetlands and the role they play in moderating climate, restoring habitat and building capacity in endangered species. Good luck John