Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Scouts use green thumbs to help native birds
Threatened Orange-bellied Parrots will have a safer habitat upon arrival on South Australian shores after their long migration from Tasmania, thanks to the efforts of over 500 Murray Rescue Scouts and their families.
In July 2006 the Scouts travelled from Adelaide to help plant 21,000 native plants on a property near Milang, on the shores of the Coorong and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert ( Lower Lakes) Ramsar site.
Jem Tesoriero from the Goolwa to Wellington Local Action Planning Association (LAPA) said the area is recognised internationally for its rich biodiversity, but it's an ecosystem that has been highly altered.
"Over the past 130 years the area has been impacted by reduced freshwater flows, installation of barrages, clearance of native vegetation, grazing and invasion by a range of pest plants and animals," Jem said.
"So we're working closely with farmers, other landholders, National Parks, local government and Aboriginal landowners around the Ramsar site on practical activities to tackle problems like lakeshore erosion, habitat decline and grazing management."
Funding
Activities are part of an ongoing project supported with over $255,000 from the Australian and State Governments.
Activities and achievements
"Our work has been guided by a range of local studies, trials and site-specific technical support because not a lot is known about issues facing our area," Jem said.
"We're also working with local landholders to find the right balance so that any changes we make will result in widespread improvements of the Ramsar site."
Activities and achievements
Jem said the team has replanted 40 hectares of land to provide shelter and roosting habitat for Orange-bellied Parrots. Other work involved keeping stock away from almost 100 hectares of wetlands, which provide a food source for the birds.
The project also undertakes trials such as the use of offshore reed beds to control lakeshore erosion.
"Our largest trial involves numerous properties and is looking at the effects of different grazing regimes on the plants, soils, water quality and habitats of the lake edge and floodplain," Jem said.
The Scouts are not the only ones giving up their time to protect the State's Coorong and Lower Lakes — an intrepid group of Medibank Private staff planted over 8000 native plants on Hindmarsh Island near the Murray Mouth.
More information
- Belinda Gunn (08) 8536 4476
- Goolwa to Wellington LAPA
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