Saving our Species winter newsletter
Winter is well and truly upon us! But the threatened species and conservation work continues for our dedicated team of staff and volunteers.
This edition shines a spotlight on some of the recent Saving our Species success stories – plant discoveries, the use of Australian first technology and population increases for one of our iconic species!
Thank you to those who continue to contribute their time, energy and expertise into the Saving our Species program. Sit back and enjoy the new and revamped newsletter.
In this issue of the newsletter:
- Brush-tailed rock-wallaby numbers are bouncing back
- Eye-spy with my little eye something beginning with K..!
- An unusual discovery in NSW north coast
- Cultural burn to help spark new life for rare orchid
- People power helps save the Nielsen Park She-oak
- Manly’s little penguins reunite for the breeding season with help of an Australian first trial
Do you have a story to share?
We would love to hear from you! If you have a story or images about threatened species, please email savingourspecies@environment.nsw.gov.au
Bellingen Riverwatch
The Bellinger River snapping turtle (Myuchelys georgesi) is found in only one place in Australia – along a 60 kilometre stretch of the river on the Mid North Coast of NSW.
And we need your help to ensure the water quality of this river remains healthy to support these turtles.
We are looking for citizen scientists living around the Bellingen area to help us monitor the health of the river systems in Bellingen NSW.
The project gathers monthly data on river health that will be used to support recovery actions for the critically endangered Bellinger River turtle.
Volunteers will be trained by OzGreen and NSW Waterwatch to help with this project.
How do I sign up? For more information and to sign up, email OEH citizen science.
Lights, camera, action!
12 to 18-year-old budding movie makers from the Hunter-Central Coast area are invited to get creative and enter a short film in the 2017 Pitch’n Film Competition.
One of the themes for this year’s film competition is ‘Threatened Species’.
There's a pool of $8000 in cash prizes to be won across the Pitch’n Film and Advertising Competition.
Submissions close on 1 September 2017. For more details visit the Pitch'n website.
Featured species
Common name: Green and golden bell frog
Scientific name: Litoria aurea
Conservation status: Endangered
Ranging in size from approx. 45mm - 100mm, the green and golden bell frog has a creamish white stripe running along the side, extending from the upper eyelids almost to the groin, with a narrow dark brown stripe beneath it, from nostril to eye. The colour of the body varies. Usually a vivid pea-green, splotched with an almost metallic brassy brown or gold.
Since 1990 there have been approximately 50 recorded locations in NSW, most of which are small, coastal, or near coastal populations.
Threats: The green and golden bell frog is preyed upon by various wading birds, snakes and foxes and can also negatively respond to herbicides and other weed-control measures.
Dates for your diary
30 July – National Tree Day
12 August – National Science Week
21 August – Keep Australia Beautiful Week
7 September – National Threatened Species Day
15 October - National Water Week
Calling early career ecologists
The NSW Office of Environment & Heritage (OEH) and the Ecological Society of Australia (ESA) are calling for applications from early career researchers for the prestigious ‘Outstanding Outreach Award’.
This year there will be six prizes, each comprising cash, a certificate, and recognition from OEH and the Ecological Society of Australia. The awards will be presented at the Society’s annual conference in November.
The prizes are open to ecologists working in any part of Australia who are at an early stage in their career, including honours students, postgraduate students, practitioners, and academics.
For further information and to apply visit OEH/ESA Prize for Outstanding Outreach. Applications close 25 August 2017.
Saving our Species in the news
- The Canberra Times: Rare plants not seen in decades re-discovered in Bombala
- ABC Online: Environmentalists fight to bring rare plant Bomaderry Zieria back from brink of extinction
- Wollondilly Advertiser: Koala efforts get boost in budget
- Cessnock Advertiser: 200 Persoonia pauciflora planted at North Rothbury as part of NSW Government Saving Our Species program
- Port Macquarie News: Public talk outlines Saving our Species Iconic Koala Project
- Narooma News: Research into koala habitat seed balls at The Crossing, Bermagui
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