Celebrating biodiversity on the Border Ranges
12 July 2018
Community invited to join conservation efforts
Anyone interested in protecting the shire’s biodiversity and becoming more active in its conservation is invited to a free Biodiversity Information Day to be held at Chillingham Hall on Saturday, 21 July 2018, from 9am-12.30pm.
The morning will begin with an update on the Numinbah Nature Links project, a three-year threatened species habitat recovery project being conducted on six private properties.
“The project has restored 26 hectares of high conservation value habitat supporting 19 threatened plant species and reduced weed threats to neighbouring World Heritage Listed Numinbah Nature Reserve,” Council’s Project Officer – Biodiversity Michael Corke said.
Next, Bushland Officer John Turnbull will talk about the Native Species Planting Guide, which contains detailed information on more than 1500 locally occurring native plant species and complements the hard-copy My Local Native Garden booklet.
The online guide includes details of plant size, habit and flower colour along with environmental tolerances, ecological relationships and nursery availability. It will help landholders and bush regenerators select the most appropriate plant species for their gardens or restoration projects based on their location within the shire and site-specific characteristics.
“The online guide and booklet will give landholders greater confidence that the plants they select will thrive and that the habitat they create will enhance the survival of native fauna species,” Mr Corke said. “It is a great way to support biodiversity conservation.”
A presentation on the significance of the Border Ranges will be delivered by local ecologist Lui Weber.
“Lui has been exploring our region since he was a child,” Mr Corke said. “His specialist knowledge of local flora and considerable field experience in identifying rare and threatened plant species is widely recognised.”
Lui will discuss the biodiversity values of the Border Ranges – such as its high levels of plant endemism and large concentration of threatened species – and how increasing our understanding of the evolution of local rainforest and other ecosystems will help us conserve them in future.
“The day is about bringing people together to celebrate our natural heritage, reflect on its significance and recognise our collective conservation efforts. It’s a must for anyone interested in learning more about our shire’s biodiversity and becoming more active in its conservation,” Mr Corke said. “There will also be plant giveaways and a competition with great prizes to be won.”
Numbers are limited and bookings are essential. To register, please telephone Council on 02 6670 2400.
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