Ros Runciman is the owner of Noonameena, a property situated in Main Creek, approximately 12km north of Dungog, New South Wales. The property is a wildlife sanctuary and recreational site, and Ros intends to continue restoring the property by removing weeds and establishing artificial hollows on the land. She also wishes to continue monitoring and conserving the local population of sun-loving moths (Heliozelidae) along with their habitat. Ros’ main focus is in protecting the sandfly zieria (Zieria smitthii) in the riparian area which is a key habitat for the sun-loving moth. She is also involved with documenting and photographing the moth for future research.
The property covers 8.63 hectares and is mostly cleared except for a high-quality riparian zone along Carowiry Creek, which has been largely restored and cleared of Lantana. Vegetation in the riparian zone includes mature spotted gums (Corymbia maculata), Sydney blue gums (Eucalyptus saligna), grey myrtles (Backhousia myrtifolia), water gums (Tristaniopsis laurina) and mixed species of ferns and low shrubs. Other areas of the property have revegetated areas, including Allocasuarinas planted in a gully which have attracted glossy black-cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus lathami).
Other wildlife found on the property includes short-eared possums (Trichosurus caninus), red-necked wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus), noisy pittas (Pitta versicolor), sacred (Todiramphus sanctus) and azure (Alcedo azurea) kingfishers and various reptiles.
