Association, WA
companies to help offset their environmental
impact has led to the formation of the
Gundawa Regional Conservation Association
(GRCA) around Charles Darwin Reserve in
Western Australia. With offset funding from
mines, the GRCA will support long-term
research projects and conservation work such
as fire management and feral animal control
across multiple properties.
of Australia's leading environmental
organisations (Bush Heritage and the
the agricultural and pastoral sectors, local
government and Indigenous communities.
Find, Bencubbin and Mullewa, the GRCA
covers approximately 2 million hectares.
This region is within a globally recognised
biodiversity hotspot.
fund small research and capacity-building
projects, host a regional biodiversity and land
management forum, begin the development
of a regional conservation action plan
and start to leverage further resources for
long-term research and conservation activities.
This partnership represents a valuable learning
model for other regions in the West.
from around the country. In 201213, we
were involved in approximately 50 research
projects with partners from universities,
government agencies, other conservation
organisations and community groups.
These research projects filled knowledge
gaps in land management and strategic
planning, located new populations of
threatened species, contributed to ecological
monitoring, raised Bush Heritage's profile
in the community and inspired people
to work with us and support us.
University of Sydney's long-term studies
on Ethabuka and Cravens Peak reserves,
Qld, to multi-year post-graduate research,
Honours projects, and periodic surveys of
flora and fauna. Our research initiatives also
supporters, such as in bird monitoring or
botanical surveys that assist with specific
research projects on reserves.
PhD scholarships. Emma Burgess (University
of Queensland) commenced the second
woodlands on Carnarvon Station Reserve,
Qld (see page 15), while Tim Doherty
effectiveness of feral predator control on
Charles Darwin Reserve, WA (see page 15).
both to directly benefit conservation outcomes
and engage with our supporters. In 201314,
strategic recruitment will build our volunteer
numbers, particularly in areas where we have
fewer volunteers registered, such as in South
of ongoing financial donations and
other valuable contributions of time,
expertise and enthusiasm given by
our generous supporters. Thank you
from all of us at Bush Heritage.
Naree Station Reserve, NSW.
Photograph by Annette Ruzicka
Photograph by Luke Bayley