Local volunteers are calling for support to tackle the long-haul of habitat recovery in Adelaide’s last, large habitat patch for 2 nationally endangered species and their fellow wildlife
Over 20 businesses and conservation organisations are calling on nature-lovers to help endangered wildlife reeling from the impact of the recent Cherry Gardens bushfire.
The Adelaide Hills bushfire, sparked on January 24th, left a devastating 2700 hectare hole in wildlife habitat.
100% of your donation will go to rebuilding and protecting the habitat in Scott Creek Conservation Park - a 3 to 5 year project - and surveying the recovery process for plants, birds and animals.
Several South Australian conservation groups have expressed their concern about the Cherry Gardens bushfire. Friends of Scott Creek President, Jim Spiker, said “We have been shocked by the continuing reports of hundreds of native animals that have been casualties of this fire. The terrain is unrecognizable with lush undergrowth reduced to powdery ash. We cannot estimate the number of birds that have perished. Our long-term bird-banding program processed 379 birds in 2019 with over 20% being recaptures. Many of these were more than 4 years old but included a White-browed Scrubwren of 17+ years. All of these recaptures were processed within 200 metres of their first capture. The habitat for these birds no longer exist.”
The bushfire primarily ravaged across the Mt. Bold Reservoir Reserve and Scott Creek Conservation Park – a biodiversity hotspot that is home to many native wildlife. As Dr Jasmin Packer, University of Adelaide Wildlife Ecologist, explains, “the core remaining habitat for nationally endangered Chestnut-rumped Heathwren and Southern Brown Bandicoots, and our tiny Brown Thornbills, is right here in the heart of the Mt. Lofty Ranges”.
In your backyard – protect all bushland habitat on your property, provide habitat for wildlife survivors by laying large hollow logs, and share wildlife sightings on iNaturalist so we have a better picture of who’s survived and where.
In your local bushland – volunteer to help Friends of Scott Creek Conservation Park with bushcare and surveys to protect habitat in the unburnt area – and burnt area when it’s safe
Contact your local member of parliament to help Mount Bold Reserve and Scott Creek Conservation Park get the 3–5 years of support needed – for wildlife, and for everyone who wants to them to stay wild!
ALL FUNDS RAISED WILL GO TO THE FRIENDS OF SCOTT CREEK CONSERVATION PARK WHO WILL MANAGE THE BUSHCARE FOR HABITAT RECOVERY.
Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla).
Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus).
