Following the successful launch of the Brush tailed rock wallaby (BTRW) holding facility at Dunkeld last December Barry Clugston and Tony Corrigan have been considering ways for interested people to become involved with the brush tailed rock wallaby recovery project.
A number of individuals have expressed an interest in being more involved in the project and as a result of that interest it is proposed that a community based action group be formed.
Such a group could have a number of functions, some suggestions are:
* Raise awareness of the plight of the species and the efforts to conserve it. This program has very broad benefits for the ecological communities in BTRW habitat – for example the control of foxes has shown to have extensive benefits for small native mammal populations and fire management regimes that benefit BTRWs can also be used to conserve landscape values.
* Raise awareness of the Grampian’s reintroduction project and its benefits for the greater environment, the community and tourism. The project has opportunities for many sectors and members of the community and has tourism potential.
* Monitoring. There are a series of monitoring sub projects associated with the program. These include: Habitat monitoring including vegetation survey; Monitoring of native competitor species prior to and post release and; Direct monitoring of brush tailed rock wallabies back in their environment post release
* Fund raising. The program is highly reliant on the sponsorship provided by the private sector as well as government funding. The future success of conservation efforts for the species is dependant on successful fundraising.
* Newsletter/Website/Communication – editors, writers and desktop publishers
* Installation and maintenance of technical equipment including radio telemetry, weather stations and field survey equipment.
We propose to convene a meeting to further this idea at 2 pm on Saturday 8th September at the Mural Room at the Parks Victoria offices at Halls Gap. Please contact Tony Corrigan on 5361 4021 if you are interested in attending.