New network will keep Monaro native grasslands looking gorgeous
27 Mar 2003
COOMA: The Monaro's spectacular native grasslands will benefit from a new community network formed to help farmers and other local land managers to share their knowledge and obtain expert advice.
The network is being established by WWF-Australia with the support of the Monaro Grasslands Advisory Committee with financial assistance from the NSW Government's Environmental Trust.
"It will be a locally managed group and will provide opportunities for members to support each other's work as well as raise public awareness of the diversity of plants and animals that occur in the Monaro's natural temperate grasslands," said David Eddy, WWF-Australia and Monaro Grasslands Management Network Coordinator.
"We want to spread the word that grasslands are one of Australia's richest ecosystems."
The Monaro Grassland Conservation Management Network will be launched at 10am, Wednesday April 2 by Pam Green, Chair of the South East Catchment Management Board.
The launch will take place at 'Happy Valley', Neville Locker's property on the Bolaro Road near Adaminaby.
The Locker family have been involved in WWF-Australia's native grassland conservation program for several years and recently received a Certificate of Recognition for their work. Their property also has one of the largest populations of the threatened Monaro golden daisy to be found on private land.
"The Lockers property provides an outstanding example of how conservation and farming can work together," said Mr Eddy.
"The pastoral and cultural heritage of this region was built on its grasslands and careful management of the landscape will ensure this heritage is maintained."
"Natural temperate grasslands have dramatically declined across south-eastern Australia since European settlement but the Monaro stands out as a region which retains a significant area of these species rich ecosystems on private and public land, including our historic travelling stock reserves.
"The Monaro is becoming known for its native grasslands and people are beginning to look to the region for examples of informed conservation, eco-tourism and even artistic inspiration."
The Monaro Grasslands Conservation Management Network will publish a free newsletter for members, Monaro Grassland Mail, which will also be launched on April 2 at Adaminaby. The first edition contains features on restoring a kangaroo grass ground layer, the yam daisy ( a flagship grasslands species), tips on grassland management and news from other grassland enthusiasts.
If you would like to be on the mailing list for Monaro Grassland Mail, email deddy@wwf.org.au
