Welcome to the March 2007 my.wildlife eBulletin. This month we give you opportunities to make submissions to support Queensland’s wildlife and biodiversity. You don’t have to be out there to be involved! But if you do want to get out and about, check out the events we’ve listed.

Looking back, in the eBulletin of April 2006, we covered the challenge of getting the State’s Wild Rivers legislation through Queensland Parliament. Our first item in this eBulletin shows how far it has come in 12 months.

Six Wild Rivers declared

In the first legislation of its type in Australia, on 28 February 2007 six wild rivers were declared under the Wild Rivers and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2006: Settlement, Gregory, Morning Inlet, Staaten, Fraser, Hinchinbrook. The Wild Rivers Code was released on the same date.

Find out more about the declaration of wild rivers in Queensland.

Australia plans for wildlife corridor

A 2800-kilometre wildlife corridor, one of the longest in the world, will be established along the ranges of eastern Australia, allowing plants and animals to move as our climate changes. State and federal governments, led by NSW, have agreed that the plan is one of the nation's highest environmental priorities for this year. Participation will be voluntary, but $7 million worth of incentives will be made available to private landowners. The corridor is planned to stretch from the Victorian Alps through to Atherton in north Queensland.

This important step in bushland and habitat conservation to mitigate the effects of climate change is in line with the aims of Wildlife Queensland’s Protecting Our Bushland Campaign.

Is play more important than wildlife?

The State’s fastest-growing population needs recreation space, but should that need override biodiversity in our limited remaining natural areas? Wildlife Queensland responded fully to the South East Queensland Regional Outdoor Recreation Strategy because we were worried that the strategy lacked commitment to biodiversity and protected areas. Read Wildlife Queensland’s summary submission.

In addition, Queensland’s recreation areas legislation is also being updated. Queensland’s EPA is asking for public comment on the new regulations related to the Recreation Areas Management Act 2006 (which has been passed but not yet commenced). Find out more and comment by 27 April 2007.

Traveston Dam Senate Inquiry

The federal Senate Inquiry into water supply issues in south-east Queensland invites public comment on the Queensland Government's proposed Traveston Crossing Dam as well as raising the Borumba Dam and their impacts. Read more about WPSQ's position on the inquiry.

Email submissions by 4 April 2007.

WAM: Go where the action is

Planning a wildlife holiday? Want to know where to go this time of year? Hot off the press - Autumn 2007 Wildlife Australia Magazine issue has a new look and a great new regular ‘Naturewatch’ feature that looks at seasonal wildlife activities and spotting opportunities all around Australia. Curious about quolls? Then this is for you!

Get a preview of what’s in the Autumn 2007 issue of Wildlife Australia Magazine.

Moreton Bay's 10 year review

Every year, 200 turtles and 16 dugongs are killed in the Marine Park; 20% of its seagrass beds have been lost and over 50% of its salt marsh has vanished. Yet less than 1% of Moreton Bay Marine Park is protected.

The Environmental Protection Agency is carrying out its 10-year review of the Moreton Bay Marine Park and welcomes public comment. Join WPSQ Bayside Branch in making your voice heard - make sure the review hears from people who value the habitat and biodiversity of the Bay.

Read your 'Invitation to a Bay' in the Autumn 2007 edition of Wildlife Australia Magazine.

Gliders in the Spotlight workshops

The Queensland Glider Network is holding a series of popular workshops around the State to provide information on identification of appropriate sites; installation of boxes; monitoring and data collection; glider behaviour and identification; and conservation strategies and networks. QGN members receive priority when making workshop bookings - so join now, it's free! You can register online or by email.

See For Your Diary below to register for a Gliders in the Spotlight workshop.

Read the latest Queensland Glider Network News.

Faunawatch Update

Are you a Faunawatch member? WPSQ’s Sunshine Coast and Hinterland Branch runs Faunawatch to record wildlife sighting data in the area. Faunawatch members get a regular newsletter and are invited on special data collecting trips.

Contact Faunawatch to join the Sunshine Coast or Caboolture programs.

For your diary

The trouble with the Traveston Crossing Dam

Queensland Senator Andrew Bartlett and the Mary River Council of Mayors are holding a public forum on the impacts of the dam and the Senate Inquiry on Friday 30 March at 6.30, to be held at St Andrews Church, West End, Brisbane.

Fish snapshot

Kedron Brook Catchment Network will hold its annual Fish Snapshot program during the month of April. Find out more.

Australian Plant Sale

The Society for Growing Australian Plants (SAGS) is holding its Autumn plant sale on Saturday, 21 April at  Grovely TAFE, off Casey St, Keperra from 9am– 3pm.

Gliders in the Spotlight workshops

Redlands workshop 5 May. Bookings essential, priority given to QGN members.

For more information about this and other events visit the WPSQ Green Diary

Wildlife Queensland Newsletter

You can download a full colour copy of the Wildlife Queensland Autumn 2007 newsletter (~850kb). If you also receive a hardcopy of the newsletter, but would rather just download the pdf format file, please cancel your hardcopy by email with your name, address and reference number (if known).

Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland.
95 William St, Brisbane Qld 4000 Australia
Ph: +61 7 3221 0194 Fax: +61 7 3221 0701

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