WSL helps build homes for local wildlife

THE crashing waves of Bells Beach aren’t the only things making a splash this year at the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour stop.

As part of the league’s sustainability initiative WSL One Ocean, WSL is partnering with Heartwood Habitat, a Torquay organisation with a sky-high mission: protecting and enhancing coastal ecosystems.

Heartwood Habitat’s unique expertise in wildlife research, habitat creation, and community engagement will be instrumental in maximising the impact of WSL PURE’s generous donation.

WSL events not only showcase the world’s best surfers, but also their dedication to healthy oceans. WSL One Ocean embodies this spirit by implementing sustainable practices at competitions and partnering with local organisations on environmental initiatives. This year, their focus falls on the hidden world above the waves: the intricate ecosystems that thrive in the Australian coastal canopy.

Founded in 2022 by expert tree climber Alex Jardine, Heartwood Habitat brings together a passionate team of arborists and ecologists. These specialists possess a unique skillset, combining their knowledge of trees with a deep understanding of wildlife needs. They are qualified in aerial rescue, canopy access and rigging, allowing them to navigate the arboreal world with exceptional skill and safety. All arborists are industry trained and accredited, ensuring the highest standards in every project.

Many native Australian animals rely on tree hollows for their survival. These natural cavities provide shelter, breeding grounds, and protection from predators.

However, due to factors such as development and natural disaster, hollows are becoming increasingly scarce. This decline poses a significant threat to a wide range of species.

To address this challenge, Heartwood Habitat offers nest box installation. These artificial shelters, meticulously crafted from sustainable materials, mimic natural hollows and provide a crucial alternative for displaced wildlife.

The WSL PURE donation will allow Heartwood Habitat to construct and install additional nest boxes throughout Torquay’s Taylor Park and the surrounding Surf Coast.

The nest boxes will be designed to attract a variety of local bird species, each playing a vital role in the coastal ecosystem. Eastern rosellas, with their vibrant red and blue plumage, are likely candidates. Crimson rosellas, boasting a similar colour scheme with a distinctive crimson chest band, may also find these havens appealing. Rainbow lorikeets, known for their dazzling display of green, red, blue, and yellow feathers, are another target species.

Other potential inhabitants include musk lorikeets, red-rumped parrots, and blue-winged parrots.

By providing nesting sites for these colourful birds, Heartwood Habitat fosters biodiversity and ensures the continuation of their melodious calls that grace the Australian coastline.

WSL PURE’s contribution extends beyond the initial construction and installation of nest boxes.

Heartwood Habitat is committed to ongoing monitoring to ensure the success of the program. This may involve citizen science initiatives, where local communities and school groups can participate in data collection and observation.

Combined with educational workshops led by Heartwood Habitat’s experts, this program fosters a deeper understanding of the importance of hollow-dependent species and habitat conservation.

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