Community groups join forces to conserve significant Maggie Island environment
A joint environmental project between the Wulgurukaba Traditional Owner group and the Magnetic Island Nature Care Association (MINCA) has improved over 30 hectares of significant coastal rainforest and woodlands at West Point, on Magnetic Island.
The two community groups worked together to control invasive weeds such as Lantana, as well as undertake monitoring and planning work to better understand the local environment and determine priority areas that require ongoing management.
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.
MINCA President, Gethin Morgan, said that works were focused on a significant natural area.
“This lowland landscape is very diverse, there are sand dunes, floodplains and wetlands – all captured within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.”
“Wulgurukaba and MINCA were carrying out separate projects prioritising weed control in needy areas, and we have all benefited from linking the two together,” 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 or visit the Volunteering Dry Tropics facebook page.