16 December, 2014
Bringing the emu back from the brink of extinction – Pillar Valley
Efforts to bring the North Coast Emu back from the brink of extinction were the focus of a visit to the Grafton region by NSW Nature Conservation Council CEO Kate Smolski last week.
Last Friday, Ms Smolski toured the Pillar Valley where NCC and the Clarence Environment Centre are coordinating the Upper Coldstream Biodiversity Project, an ambitious landscape-scale restoration program involving 44 landholders across 4000 hectares.
The North Coast region is one of the nation’s biodiversity hotspots, and the Upper Coldstream catchment contains some of the most diverse eucalypt forests and forested wetlands in the world.
It also provides habitat for more than 110 threatened species, and more than 800 plant species.
“It is vital that the remarkable wildlife and forests on public and private lands in this area are well managed to ensure their natural and cultural values maintained and enhanced,” Ms Smolski said.
“Part of this project focuses on reducing the threats to the North Coast Emu, an iconic species that is on the brink of extinction in this region.
“Emus are very important to the local Yaegl and Birrigan-Gargl community, and play a vital role in the ecology of the Pillar Valley, spreading the seeds of many rainforest plants.
“It would be a tragedy, culturally and ecologically, if we allowed this species to become extinct in this part of the world.
“Many local landholders who understand what is at stake are working with us to improve conditions for the emus by removing lantana and other weeds, planting emu food species, and controlling feral animals, including pigs and foxes.
“Upper Coldstream Catchment Biodiversity Project is a great example of communities working together to protect our priceless environmental heritage.
“We are very proud to be working with the Clarence Environment Centre, local landholders and indigenous communities on such an important venture.”
Ms Smolski was guided through the valley by Upper Coldstream Catchment Biodiversity Project Coordinator Josh Keating and the Clarence Environment Centre honorary secretary John Edwards.
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