Going wild at Pottsville
09 June 2017
Free family celebration of Pottsville’s wildlife
Pottsville is nestled between the bush and beach, a gem where residents enjoy a coastal village lifestyle fishing, surfing and walking their dogs.
Those with a careful eye might notice the area’s other residents, such as charismatic bush-stone curlews, soaring sea eagles, beach-nesting shorebirds and, if lucky, a marine turtle or coastal koala.
To celebrate Pottsville’s wildness and coastal biodiversity, Council is hosting a Wild About Pottsville family fun event, at the Pottsville Marketplace on Sunday 25 June. Everyone is invited to this free event, funded by the NSW Environmental Trust with additional funding from Council.
“It will be a fun, family-orientated day to highlight our fauna species and ways the local community can help protect and co-exist with local flora and fauna,” Council NRM Project Officer Kim Stephan said.
“Council reserves in an around the village, such the Pottsville Wetlands and Pottsville Environmental Park, means our native flora and fauna are right on the doorstep for many of the village’s residents.
“Wild About Pottsville will have something for everyone - and their dog. For early risers, the event starts with a bird walk from 7am to 8am, offering a great opportunity to observe coastal birds in their native habitats.”
Participants should bring binoculars and meet at the Pottsville Beach tennis courts.
Wild About Pottsville’s other activities will be held between 9am and noon, including the Currumbin Wildlife on Wheels show, free on-lead dog training session by Top Dog Academy and skits from Pottsville Beach Public School highlighting the threats to koalas.
For the kids, Kooee Koala will drop in for a visit, Pottsville’s own Nature Explorers will lead children’s nature activities and members of the Pottsville & District Men’s Shed will teach kids to make nesting boxes. There will also be a jumping castle, face painting, wildlife-based stalls and lots of prizes and giveaways.
Speed talks will cover topics such as the way Bundjalung people once lived around Pottsville, the Backyard Habitat for Wildlife program, Council’s new My Local Native Garden book, dogs and wildlife, and how we can help koalas and other local wildlife.
The Lions Club will hold a sausage sizzle and special-issue Wild about Pottsville calico bags will be available for a gold coin donation.
“All proceeds will go to Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers, who do an amazing job caring for our injured wildlife,” Ms Stephan said.
Visit www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/Wildlife for a Wild About Pottsville program of events. See Council’s Facebook page for updates. Further information is also available by contacting Kim Stephan on (02) 6670 2419 or 0418 692442.
In the event of heavy rain, the celebration will move to Pottsville Beach Primary School.
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Caption: Kooee Koala poses with (back, left to right) Council Project Officer Kim Stephan, wildilfe tour hosts Sofia Machado, Rebecca Burch and Cassy Read, dog trainer Rhonda Robinson with Aspen the dog, and Grace and Finlay (sitting) ahead of the Wild about Pottsville celebration