Community groups team up to protect threatened local rainforest

A joint environmental project between Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA), and Traditional Owners the Gudjuda Reference Group, has helped protect more than 25 hectares of endangered rainforest and wetlands at the base of Mt Elliot, Cromarty.

The two local community groups have been carrying out on-ground works to control invasive weeds, including Cat’s Claw Creeper and Pink Bauhinia.

This combined environmental project is just one of many that NQ Dry Tropics supports each year, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme.

CVA Regional Manager David Griffiths, said that these works, focusing on one of the last remaining patches of local lowland rainforest, complemented efforts by other groups such as BirdLife Townsville and the Wetlands and Grasslands Foundation:

“This important area of forest adjoins internationally significant wetlands, and having many hands to better care for this unique area makes our work all the more worthwhile,” he said

NQ Dry Tropics Project Officer Kirralee Donovan said that this was just one example of community groups working together for wins on-ground.

“Thanks to funding support from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme, this year NQ Dry Tropics has supported over 14 community groups to complete a wide range of community-driven projects stretching north of Townsville, through the Burdekin and south to Bowen,” she said.

“These projects improve critical downstream habitats including waterways, wetlands and the Great Barrier Reef.

“There is clear evidence that we can enhance waterways by improving the health of adjoining vegetation, resulting in better fish and bird life for us all to enjoy” she said.

If you are an individual or part of a community group that is looking for funding to carry out environmental projects,  please contact Kirralee Donovan at NQ Dry Tropics on kirralee.donovan@nqdrytropics.com.au.

Grant applications are now closed, however,  the next round of funding will be released later this year.