Conservation Ecology Centre
Monitoring wildlife change in declining woodland
$9,170
In the Great Otway National Park, Damp Sands Herb Rich Woodland is an endangered habitat and the dominant tree species, manna gum, is rapidly declining through altered fire regimes and over-browsing by koalas. This decline is currently being monitoring. This grant, however, will provide the group with extra funds to monitor any changes to faunal assemblages. The overall objective of the project is to determine the point of manna gum decline when biodiversity is affected, and plan for future land management techniques to avoid this.
This project is supported by the RE Ross Trust.
Nature Foundation South Australia
A baseline biodiversity survey of Hiltaba Nature Reserve
$8,200
The Hiltaba Nature Reserve is part of the Gawler Rangers on the northern Eyre Peninsula – an area of high biodiversity and conservation value. Overgrazing and pest animals are causing declines in biodiversity. Baseline data is needed before future management strategies are developed. Monitoring sites will be established during two, two-week survey expeditions, the first focusing on fauna and the second on plants. The Nature Foundation will work with various other groups to monitor sites and collect data and involves volunteer participation.
University of Chicago
Long-term biological monitoring at Brookfield Conservation Park
$4,800
Professor Pruett-Jones has been working on Australian fairy-wrens since 1988 and has been working at Brookfield Conservation Park since 1992. He works with graduate students and field assistants and has collected 20 years worth of data on the habitat, climate and bird species. The park is now managed by Conservation Volunteers Australia and Professor Pruett-Jones will work with the group to initiate surveys for the volunteers to conduct every four months. Long-term monitoring will continue for ten years and the data will be analysed and published.
Dja Dja Wurrung Enterprises Pty Ltd
Dja Dja Wurrung Landcare Group
$10,800
This exciting project involves setting up and coordinating an Indigenous Landcare Group in Central Victoria. The group will: identify significant environmental sites which then may need works to improve biodiversity; engage with local Landcare groups to share information about sites; identify and education groups and individuals about Indigenous flora and fauna and their traditional uses; share stories and knowledge; and build confidence and pride amongst the group.
This project is supported by funds supplied by the RE Ross Trust and the Melliodora Fund.
