EnviroMatters-Spring-Summer-2020_

Conserving Nature and Connecting People When I first started restoration works on a Land for Wildlife and Voluntary Conservation Agreement property in Pine Mountain, I was determined to connect the people in my community with each other and with our environment. Tamara Jeffries – Land for Wildlife, Pine Mountain Ipswich

restoring and maintaining areas of remnant vegetation.

I am interested in addressing broader conservation outcomes for my community. Currently I am working towards creating a volunteer group to help local landholders to create a wildlife corridor connecting the Kholo Enviroplan Reserve in the north with the Kholo botanical gardens in the south via Pine Mountain. This would help endangered species such as the Black- breasted Button Quail by connecting and restoring much needed habitat. I believe that Pine Mountain is a special place and that by working together we can make sure that in the future, just like in Forster and Tuncurry, people will continue to visit and appreciate the importance of habitats such as these.

Growing up in my hometown of Forster and Tuncurry, New South Wales, I was able to see how important it was to care for our environment. The creation of wetlands to improve the water quality of our local lakes was awarded the Thiess Riverprize for best practice in river and catchment management and environmental repair in Australia. In 2015, I worked on a Green Army project in Cameron’s Scrub, Pine Mountain, and this is where I was first introduced to the beauty of Semi- evergreen Dry Vine Rainforest. Fast forward 5 years and I am still working with local landholders and Council to restore and maintain this precious habitat. I do this mainly through

The terrain is difficult, but the work is rewarding and looking back at how well the vegetation recovers after the pressure of weeds is removed is motivating. I’ve been spoilt by the amount of interesting wildlife and close encounters I have had over the years and am keen to submit my observations in the new iNaturalist Land for Wildlife Ipswich project. It is important to keep track of our local flora and fauna!

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