Endangered coastal emus impacted by land clearing, introduced animal predators and vehicle strike
Eligible groups on the Northern Rivers impacted by the Black Summer fires, including NSW North Coast, can score bushfire recovery grants up to $50,000 which can help save the coastal emu, thanks to the new 2021 Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants program.
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An Australian symbol, the emu is one of our most recognised birds, it’s on our national coat of arms but now one species based on the Northern Rivers is facing decimation.
After the devastation of the Black Summer fires, landholders and landcarers have joined together to enhance impacted habitat for the critically endangered Coastal Emu, which estimates indicate only 50 birds remain on the North Coast.
Numbers of the species have been in significant decline since the 1980s due to native vegetation clearing, introduced animal predators and vehicle strike.
Bungawalbyn Landcare has engaged with six private landholders across 250 hectares within the Bungawalbin Catchment south east of Casino, and in and around the Clarence and Richmond Valley regions.
Conservationists dealt with weed control, nest box installation and the restoration of fauna friendly fencing to protect habitat for Coastal Emus after the devastation of the fires.
And along with Bungawalbyn Landcare, eligible groups in regions impacted by the Black Summer fires, including NSW North Coast and Tablelands, can score bushfire recovery grants up to $50,000 thanks to the new 2021 Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants program.
“It’s incredible financial support like the Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants program which make it possible for our supporters to make a real difference in preserving a unique native species like the Coastal Emu,” Bungawalbin Landcare. president Jimmy Malecki said.
“Thanks to funding last year from Landcare Australia, we were able to make a vast array of improvements including installation of nest boxes on four properties to help mitigate the loss of hollow bearing trees.”
“On two properties we removed and replaced barbed wire fencing impacted by fire with wildlife friendly fencing.”
Mr Malecki said as weeds became an increasingly evident issue following the extensive rain event in January of 2020, they were able tackle the worst offenders.
“These properties provide essential habitat for the endangered Coastal Emu population,” he said.
“They runs on only about 200 kilometres of this coastline, and are crucial to their ongoing survival.”
Mr Malecki said the Coastal Emu is also critical to the balance of biodiversity within the Clarence and Richmond Valley regions and Bungawalbin Catchment area, which includes Bungawalbin National Park, Bungawalbin Nature Reserve, and Yaringully Nature Reserve.
‘This endangered population of Coastal Emu is genetically different from other emus and many native plants depend on the bird to distribute their seeds over distances of up to 50 kilometres,” he said.
“(It’s) a vital role and why every effort has to be made to preserve and restore habitat for them and all other native species.”
Bungawalbin was impacted by both the Rappville Fire and the Bora Ridge/Myall Creek Rd fire in November of 2019.
“We’re more than 18 months after the fires and the effects are still evident to see,” Mr Malecki said.
“With the impacts of Covid, bushfire recovery work has been severely hampered.
“Which is why we rely on the generous funding and support from organisations like Landcare.”
The Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants program funding is now available with up to $50,000 grants accessible for groups and organisations in regions, including the NSW North Coast and Tablelands, impacted by the Black Summer bushfires, along with $300,000 for partnership projects.
To apply and for more information visit www.landcareledbushfiregrants.org.au
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