Bungawalbyn Landcare has received a grant of $100,000 to undertake a project to enhance habitat and reduce threats to the endangered north coast emu population in the Bungawalbyn catchment of northern NSW.
The group will use the grant for weed control and assisted regeneration practices will restore emu habitat and improve strategic access trails for emus across the landscape.
Bungawalbyn Landcare coordinator Sharyn Lafontaine said the grant would help coordinate feral animal control programs to reduce the threat to young and nesting birds.
‘As part of a collaborative effort with other land managers, we aim to increase habitat, reduce threats and inform future management of the species,’ Ms Lafontaine said.
The group was one of 10 Landcare groups undertaking habitat restoration projects across Australia.
The funding was made possible via Landcare Australia’s Workplace Giving Program, which works in partnership with 23 businesses across the country, including Telstra, Qantas, and Konica Minolta.
Landcare Australia’s Workplace Giving Program is a way for employees to contribute to charity from pre-tax income. It also helps businesses enhance their reputation, actively engage their employees, and make a positive impact on the community.
Way to go Bungawalbyn Landcare!!! Thanks Telstra, Qantas and Konica Minolta!!!! The weed control is working at improving habitat in the Bungawalbyn. We did it on our property along with track clearing and fencing removal and within 3 weeks we had sign of Emu coming back.
The NSW Government has also given in a lot of financial resources over the past 4 or 5 years at improving Coastal Emu habitat and is currently putting significant resources into research. The population is considered Endangered and worth the effort to save this beautiful animal that is also important in dispersal of seeds.
Thanks Echo for spreading the word about the plight of the endangered North Coast Emu Population. Just a slight correction, we received $10,000 toward our project. For more information on the emu project you can visit,
http://www.theconnective.org.au/projects/coastal-emu-corridor/