The Otway Community Conservation Group recently held a workshop to address future directions and potential projects for the management, protection and enhancement of biodiversity in the Otway region.
OCCN facilitator Luke Hynes was encouraged by the outcomes of the workshop and feedback given by all representatives.
“Suggested project areas included further networking between groups, improving wildlife corridors, controlling pest plants and animals and increasing community engagement and education,” he said.
Why is biodiversity important?
Great Ocean Road Coast Committee Conservation Supervisor Georgie Beale believes biodiversity is important in order to protect our unique Australian flora and fauna.
“Conserving and enhancing this biodiversity in the Otway region will provide us with a much healthier and more resilient ecosystem.
“Australia is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world and much of our flora and fauna cannot be found anywhere else.
“It is this unique landscape which gives us our identity as a country and the more we learn about, understand and respect our environment the better off we will all be,” she said.
Check out this video clip about biodiversity. The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee is working with volunteers to take direct action against invasive weeds and other critical threats to our coast’s precious biodiversity. But we need your help too.
Who attended the workshop?
Around 30 natural resource managment staff and community volunteers attended the workshop.
Representatives from the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee, Parks Victoria, the Department of Sustainability and Environment, local councils, coastal land managers, VicRoads, Conservation Volunteers Australia, ALCOA, Otway Conservation Ecology Centre, local Landcare networks and conservation groups also attended the workshop.
OCCN chairperson Roger Ganly said he was thrilled with the strong turnout, thanking all those who attended.
“We had a great representation from a cross section of the community and natural resource management sector across the Otway region,” he said.
How do I find out more?
For more information please contact the OCCN Project facilitator Luke Hynes – PH: 0406 113 438; E: occn@occn.org.au or visit their website www.occn.org.au
You can also check out other blogs we have posted on the OCCN:
Input sought on Otways biodiversity.
Great Ocean Road Coast Committee Blog 