Students learn about Apollo Bay conservation

STUDENTS in Apollo Bay have seen the transformational impact of conservation work during a visit to Trust for Nature’s Henriksen Sanctuary.

In 2020, Trust for Nature received $26,026 to undertake the environmental restoration work at the reserve through the first round of the federal government’s Wild Otways Initiative Community Environment Grants Program, and a further $19,950 in 2021 through the second round to continue the work.

Over the past few years, this funding has facilitated the creation of a small access track within Henriksen Sanctuary and many hours of weed control both within the sanctuary and along Marriners Lookout Track.

Last month, Year 7 and 8 students from Apollo Bay P-12 College visited the reserve in Apollo Bay to view the restoration work completed at the site and the recently finished access trail.

The students learnt about land conservation, ecological significance, ecosystem services, weeds and weed management, and were encouraged to think creatively about weed management alternatives to chemical control such as using trained weed-eating goats.

The engagement event was part of Trust for Nature’s vision to work with the next generation and local community to foster a sense of custodianship of Henriksen Sanctuary and to become environmental stewards of the ecologically significant site.

Trust for Nature said the funding from the Community Environmental Grants Program had been invaluable in achieving long-term and sustainable restoration outcomes – for example, areas where intensive weed management has been completed are now regenerating prolifically with native vegetation.

“By controlling large infestations of weeds in the Sanctuary, we are protecting the intact high-quality areas from degradation,” Trust for Nature Corangamite regional manager Jo Day said.

“We hope local community will visit the Sanctuary, connect with nature, and hopefully begin to form a sense of custodianship.

“By investing in weed control along Marriners Lookout track, we are fostering the visitor’s appreciation of native habitat.

“The Community Environment Grants Program funding has enabled us to deliver this work, and we are thankful for the federal government’s investment. We aim to continue to build on these outcomes.”

The Wild Otways Initiative Community Environment Grants Program is delivered by the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA), providing $1 million to support Community Groups, Traditional Owners and Local Government to deliver on-ground environment projects to protect and restore native plants, wildlife, and coastal environments in the Otways.

Corangamite CMA chief executive officer John Riddiford said the works were an important project for the region.

“Henriksen Sanctuary is a refuge for endangered species like the rufous bristlebird and black Otway snail.

“Engaging and educating school students on this project is wonderful to see; who better to take care of our environment than the next generation of environmental stewards?”