Initial Project Information session held at the Dongolocking Hall
On September 8, a small crowd gathered at the Dongolocking Hall to be part of the launch of the ‘Bringing them Back’ project. Over the next 12 months, this exciting new project will be monitoring wildlife in the Dongolocking Reserves and private bush areas. Project manager Dr. Shaun Molloy introduced the ‘Bringing them Back’ Project to local farmers, explaining the background of this research project.
The ‘Bringing them Back’ project aim is to assess the effectiveness of revegetation corridors, land management actions, and the establishment of ecological linkage projects in the Southern Wheatbelt amid the region’s unique fauna. The Dongolocking Catchment was chosen as this was the site of a major conservation project undertaken between 1996 and 2005. This project will determine the effectiveness of these works on the catchment’s unique flora and fauna. During the launch Dr Molloy explained, “By looking at how wildlife populations have changed since the completion of the Dongolocking project, and how native animals are using the landscape, we can develop more effective conservation management actions.”
The on-ground works being carried out involve placing camera traps within bushland, reserves, revegetated areas and wildlife corridors, to monitor and record animal movements. Pitfall traps will also be dug to locate and record insects, reptiles, frogs and small fauna. Bird surveys will also be undertaken and where other species of high conservation value are detected, population monitoring will be undertaken.
The results of this project will be communicated to a range of groups and local farmers, to better plan and undertake successful restoration projects that contribute to fauna conservation.
Article supplied by C.Hadlow
Photographs supplied by Emily Hugues dit Ciles, Biodiversity Program Manager/Senior Scientist for SWCC
The ‘Bringing them Back’ project aim is to assess the effectiveness of revegetation corridors, land management actions, and the establishment of ecological linkage projects in the Southern Wheatbelt amid the region’s unique fauna. The Dongolocking Catchment was chosen as this was the site of a major conservation project undertaken between 1996 and 2005. This project will determine the effectiveness of these works on the catchment’s unique flora and fauna. During the launch Dr Molloy explained, “By looking at how wildlife populations have changed since the completion of the Dongolocking project, and how native animals are using the landscape, we can develop more effective conservation management actions.”
The on-ground works being carried out involve placing camera traps within bushland, reserves, revegetated areas and wildlife corridors, to monitor and record animal movements. Pitfall traps will also be dug to locate and record insects, reptiles, frogs and small fauna. Bird surveys will also be undertaken and where other species of high conservation value are detected, population monitoring will be undertaken.
The results of this project will be communicated to a range of groups and local farmers, to better plan and undertake successful restoration projects that contribute to fauna conservation.
Article supplied by C.Hadlow
Photographs supplied by Emily Hugues dit Ciles, Biodiversity Program Manager/Senior Scientist for SWCC
 Pictured above: ECU International students (L to R) Raymond, Sam and Ivan, preparing monitoring sites |  Pictured above: Local farmers Joy and Scott Angwin discussing the project with Shaun Molloy |
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