Help to protect Grampians
The unique natural and cultural values of Grampians National Park are set to benefit from a $1.8-million State Government boost.
As part of government Biodiversity Response Planning, the funding will support programs to retain plant diversity and protect threatened species from exotic species such as deer, goats and rabbits and feral cats, and invasive sallow wattle.
Introduced exotic animals such as deer and goats are environmentally destructive in Grampians wilderness areas, where they damage vegetation and present a risk to historic Aboriginal rock-art sites.
Sallow wattle, a native Australian plant, which ecologists believe was introduced from New South Wales, has spread in northern sections of the park where it is having a detrimental effect on indigenous plant diversity.
Grampians National Park has a national heritage listing for its unique and diverse plant life, with some woodland areas among the most species-rich in the world.
The park also contains the largest number of rock-art sites in southern Australia.
In total, Parks Victoria has received $11.2-million for biodiversity projects across the state.
The funding is designed to protect important native plants and animals and their habitats during the next three years. Parks Victoria will be working with traditional-owner groups; the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning; Trust for Nature; catchment management authorities; and other organisations to roll out the programs.
Parks Victoria chief conservation scientist Dr Mark Norman said Parks Victoria was delighted with the funding boost for ‘urgent’ nature conservation needs.
“The funding will allow Parks Victoria and many partner organisations to work together to ramp-up critical environmental programs,” he said.
“These include stemming the massive wildlife toll taken by feral cats and foxes, reducing the habitat damage caused by expanding deer, pig, rabbit and goat populations, and managing and restoring the beautiful wild places and critical habitats throughout Victoria.
“It’s the strongest support for nature and wildlife that the state’s received in decades, if ever.”
Distinctive ecosystems
The Grampians, stretching across 167,219 hectares, was proclaimed a national park in 1984.
The park has distinctive ecosystems based on variations in temperature and landform involving the intersection of the southern end of the Great Dividing Range.
The northern section of the park is dryer and warmer than the southern end of the park and plants and animals have adapted to this unique landscape.
The park’s abundance of life is reflected in the occurrence of wildflower displays and extensive bird life. ‘Art Meets Nature’ is the theme of an exhibition at Wingeel near Inverleigh to support a Wildlife Art Museum of Australia, WAMA, development project at Halls Gap.
The exhibition, featuring work in a wide variety of mediums and styles by artists who look to the environment for inspiration, will be at Lucy Mceachern Studio Gallery between November 16 and 25.
WAMA is a project to establish a world-class botanic garden and gallery to feature art inspired by nature. To raise awareness of the project, WAMA supporters regularly organise exhibitions, workshops, and school programs at the site and in other locations.
Art Gallery of Ballarat director Louise Tegart will open the exhibition on November 16 at 6.30pm.
The exhibition will be open weekends from 10am to 5pm, and mid-week for groups and individuals by calling Lucy Mceachern on 0419 892 259.
People can visit www.wama.net.au for more information about WAMA.