Constructed from PVC piping and reinforced with steel.
A polycarbonate sheet, secured by steel edging, is mounted on the PVC frame.
Each island features a single nesting box made from a poly pond, with ramps on both sides to facilitate turtle access.
The nesting boxes are drilled with drainage holes on the bottom and sides, filled with a sand-soil mixture, and topped with Zoysia australis turf for nesting.
On either side of the floating turtle islands are two vegetation plots.
Nesting box preparation
Nesting boxes must be made prior to being placed on the island.
Fill the nesting boxes with 2 parts soil and 1 part sand mixture. Soil and sand can be purchased from Bunnings at $3-6 per bag.
Lay Zoysia australis turf over the soil and sand mixture in each nesting box. Water the turf daily for 2-3 weeks before the nesting season to allow the turf to establish itself.
The turf can be purchased from MuzTurf located in the Hawkesbury region at $14.95/m². You will need 5-8m².
Each nesting box needs 6 holes on either side for drainage.
Placement
Nesting boxes must only be added onto the island once it is floating in shallow water, as the weight of the boxes will cause the PVC piping to break.
It takes at least 4 people to carry the nesting boxes.
Vegetation Pods
The vegetation plots are attached loosely to either side of the island so that they float independently.
The vegetation plots house native aquatic and semi-aquatic plants and are particularly important in degraded wetlands where native species are absent.
The local council may provide plants from the local nursery.
Any material (plant or substrate) taken from the area for use on the Biohaven Island MUST be approved by the local management authority.
Equipment
At a minimum, the island must have a trail camera set up for the nesting season.
The trail camera should be checked after 3 months (i.e. At the end of summer), and the batteries replaced.
A link to Dropbox to upload photos from the trail camera will be provided upon signing the contract.
There is also an option to have a webcam set up on the island so that you can monitor the island remotely.
More information will be made available upon request.