Page 754 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 19 March 2019
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The sanctuary is managed by parks and conservation service in partnership with the Woodlands and Wetlands Trust and relies on significant support from the broader community and research partnerships which, collectively, are producing important woodland restoration outcomes and significant research findings. Expanding the sanctuary is part of a national effort to increase safe havens across Australia and building collaboration in the recovery of threatened species. The national Landcare program contributed $600,000 to extend the fence, which was more than matched by the ACT government.
I would also like to draw members’ attention to the woodlands restoration efforts that have been consolidated and connected 60,000 hectares of the largest remaining box gum grassy woodland landscape in Australia. Significant investment in woodland restoration has been achieved through the one million trees program, the ACT woodland restoration, national Landcare program, Barrier Hill restoration and the restore ACT and greater Goorooyarroo woodland project.
Tree planting has significantly improved woodland connectivity between woodland remnants, our nature reserves and across the border into New South Wales. Key areas of focus include the Murrumbidgee River corridor, the greater Goorooyarroo region extending into New South Wales, the Majura Valley and Belconnen hills. Restoring habitat through replanting, reintroducing woody debris and surface rock and weed and pest animal control is fundamental to improving the chances for recovery of threatened birds, including the superb parrot.
These important outcomes have been achieved by the ongoing support and collaboration between the ACT, New South Wales and commonwealth governments, Greening Australia, the Australian National University, CSIRO, the Woodlands and Wetlands Trust, the Canberra Ornithologists Group, community Landcare and Parkcare and, of course, the broader community. Ongoing collaboration, innovative research and on-ground management carried out by passionate people is truly the recipe for good conservation outcomes in our woodlands. I am thankful to the numerous volunteers and organisations such as Greening Australia and the Molonglo Conservation Group who continue to provide an invaluable contribution to the restoration of ACT woodlands. It is both necessary and appreciated. Protecting our environment is a shared, collective effort, and our success is only possible with these partners and the Canberrans who generously give up their time.
We, of course, need to build on these successes and continue to proactively manage our woodlands that provide shelter for animals, store carbon, protect water quality and provide recreation opportunities for the community. Research continues on understanding the impacts of climate change and potential future scenarios for protecting, managing and conserving woodland ecosystems. Further on-ground restoration is also needed. For example, with commonwealth funding of $1.5 million over the next five years through the national Landcare program we will work with ACT rural landholders and Greening Australia to enhance woodlands and biodiversity on farm.
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