A CLARENCE VALLEY CELEBRATION OF NATURE

to take place within
A CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABILITY

The Nature Conservation Council, the peak environment organisation in New South Wales, has invited interested individuals and community groups  to get involved in the Festival of Nature, a program of nature-based activities to be held across the state in September.

As part of our contribution to the Festival of Nature, we are celebrating nature at the Sportsmans Creek Conservation Area, a 50 hectare wildlife refuge owned by Jeff Keyes. The property is named Urimberra, which means 'to protect, to look after', and is located at Dilkoon on the Summerland Way, 20.6 km north from the Blue Goose Inn at Junction Hill.

This event will involve

• exploring nature through guided walks (short and longer)

• thinking  nature through talks and exhibitions

• experiencing sustainability through illustrations and discussions

Dr Greg Clancy and Jeff Keyes will lead the activities.

The celebration, from 9.30 a.m. onwards, on Sunday 11 September, is hosted by the National Parks Association (Clarence Valley Branch) and the Clarence Valley Conservation Coalition

Contact Person: Stan on 66449309




Festival of Nature

COUNCIL CALLS FOR COAL SEAM GAS MINING MORATORIUM

At its July meeting Clarence Valley Council called for the NSW Government to implement a moratorium on coal seam gas (CSG) mining in the Clarence Valley Council Local Government Area “until extensive and independent environmental impact statements have been concluded on the effects on the environment.”

The impacts of CSG mining which were identified as matters of concern in Council’s resolution were:

• Protection of ground and surface water from pollution and environmental disturbance
• Community health and safety
• Ensuring no loss of biodiversity
• Respect for landowner rights
• Avoiding economic impacts on agriculture and tourism

In addition to lobbying the State Government, Council will lobby both the Federal Government and the Federal Opposition to raise the issue on a federal level.

The resolution, which was drafted by Councillor Margaret McKenna, who attended the Environmental Defenders Office Seminar on CSG Mining in Grafton in May, was supported by all nine Clarence Valley Councillors.

Other NSW North Coast Councils have also called for a moratorium.  The only Council to the north of the Clarence which has not called for a moratorium on CSG mining is Richmond Valley Council.

EARTH MATTERS, Monday 18th July

Flying-Fox Ecology and Management

Presented by Billie Roberts, PhD student Griffith University

Flying-foxes are large bats that routinely move large distances in response to the changing availability of fruit and nectar. They are important pollinators and seed dispersers for many plants within rainforests, eucalypt forests, woodlands and wetlands. Roosting during the day in large communal camps, the number of animals in these camps can fluctuate widely at different times of the year and from one year to the next, reflecting nearby food resources.

In Maclean and many other areas, there is a history of conflict between humans and flying-foxes. Conflict arises when flying-foxes establish new camps close to residential areas or when people construct houses or public buildings too close to existing camp sites. In these areas, it is often proposed that camps be relocated elsewhere, despite such attempts being costly and rarely successful. In cases where animals do relocate, the new sites they select are often positioned in unanticipated and undesirable locations.

It is clear that these conflicts are likely to be ongoing, requiring broadly acceptable management solutions. Billie is currently a PhD candidate at Griffith University studying landscape use by Grey-headed Flying-foxes. Over the past five years she has assisted land managers in developing management plans for a number of controversial flying-fox camps in New South Wales and South East Queensland.  

 The presentation will be held in the Staffroom at Grafton Public School,

Queen Street, Grafton  from

5.30 – 7 p.m.