Osprey Recovery Project secures State Government grant to address declining bird numbers
A declining bird population will be the big winner from $500,000 in State Government cash.
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South Australia’s coastline will be preserved and improved with nearly $500,000 in funding for councils and community groups.
The State Government cash will go towards various projects across the state – including restoring SA’s declining osprey population.
Environment Minister David Speirs said coastal communities and environments were under threat from problems such as erosion.
He hoped the grants would help solve such issues.
“South Australia’s coastline is one of our most precious natural resources and a crucial drawcard for our tourism industry,” Mr Speirs said.
“This grant funding is an important way of supporting projects which will lead to better on-ground management and protection of our coastline into the future.”
He said “practical action at the local level backed by sound research and development” would “help build resilience and protect the coastal environment”.
Ian Falkenberg, from the Osprey Recovery Project, said its $37,100 grant would allow the group to build artificial nests for the predator birds, which had suffered a 25 per cent population decline in SA.
He said ospreys – which spanned from Kangaroo Island, along the Yorke Peninsula and up to Port Gawler – were struggling to find nests because many were at fishing spots.
“They’re adaptable in some ways and they’ll nest close to people, but in areas they’re used to people they’re sensitive to human intrusion and easily abandon their nests,” Mr Falkenberg said.
“The nests will be elevated at least 6m above ground and hopefully they’ll afford greater protection away from people when they can rest in freedom and away from any disturbance.”