The Landscape Function Toolkit (LiFT) team recently visited one of the demonstration sites at Old Cameron Downs/Eva Valley Meats, located near Batchelor, NT, which is owned and operated by Fiona and Pete McBean. The team visited in June 2026 to inspect the existing rehydration structures, survey to install more structures, begin new site works and install LiFT monitoring sites.
Using the Covram app to record our monitoring actions, we set up photopoint sites, conducted veg assessments, drone surveys and eDNA baseline sampling at water, soil and roller sites.
Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling is a non-invasive technique used to detect wildlife and monitor biodiversity by collecting genetic material shed by organisms into their surroundings, such as soil, water or air. It allows researchers to identify which species are present in an area without needing to directly capture, see, or disturb them. It is one of the monitoring methods we are trialling for the toolkit.
The image at right shows a snapshot of some of the eDNA water sampling results taken in stream, showing a variety of fish, plants and diatom species, plus the unwanted cane toad.
LiFT is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust.
New crossing installed. Image in top of page banner shows Fiona McBean in the new crossing with Mulloon’s Lance Mudgway.
Drone survey image showing greenness of existing contours