Woodland Birds Disappearing

A recent study by ecologists Professor Ralph Mac Nally (Director of the Australian Centre
for Biodiversity at Monash University), suggests that woodland birds are disappearing in large numbers across north central Victoria : http://www.victorianaturally.org.au/documents/FactSheet/Fact_sheet_Bird_crashes_final_17nov09smaller_1.pdf .

The extended dry, clearing of remnant habitat and poor management of remnant habitats are thought to be the main causes.

I would imagine that similar results would be found here in the south west of Victoria, where longitudinal studies might reflect even more significant losses.

Revegetation in fertile areas and good management of remnant habitats seem to be the keys to offsetting the decline.

2010 : International Year of Biodiversity

The United Nations has declared 2010, The International Year of Biodiversity.

Check out :
http://www.cbd.int/2010/welcome/
http://www.cbd.int/
http://www.countdown2010.net/
http://www.countdown2010.net/year-biodiversity/action-plan-for-iyb
http://www.countdown2010.net/biodiversity/the-2010-biodiversity-target
http://www.countdown2010.net/byse/

See an article on the The Red List, which lists 17,000 species on the verge of extinction :
http://www.earthfiles.com/news.php?ID=1645&category=Environment

The Red List here :
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IUCN_Red_List .

Kick Start Your Reserve Coach Tour

On December the 3rd, Basalt to Bay will be hosting the Kick Start Your Researve Coach Tour.

The aim of the tour is to bring local corporates together with members of the Kick Start Your Reserve initiative, to profile the achievements of individual groups and the benefits of the initiative to local communities.

The coach tour is by invite only and it is anticipated that a diverse range of people will be on board, including representatives from 5 reserve groups, local indigenous represenatatives, staff from the Glenelg Hopkins CMA, Basalt to Bay members, local corporate groups and other relevant parties.

The first stop on the tour is Tozer Reserve near Warrnambool, followed by a visit to Yatmerone Reserve in Penshurst, then Hawkesdale Common, a BBQ lunch at Apex Park in Hawkesdale and finishing the tour with a visit to Hawkesdale's Racecourse Reserve. A follow up trip is anticipated for the middle of next year.

Thanks to the Glenelg Hopkins CMA for providing adminstrative support for the trip and the Department of Planning and Community Development for sponsoring the day.