By Alison Goundrey for Carbon Neutral Citizen Science
The Carbon Neutral Citizen Science team, with Dr Nic Dunlop at the helm, headed to Bowgarder Hills and Hughes Block in the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor in early September.
Using bird communities as indicators to monitor biodiversity development, teams surveyed across 12 sites; 4 reference sites in the Hughes Wheatbelt Woodland TEC and Bowgada Nature Reserve, and 8 Carbon Neutral carbon sequestration plantation sites.
Our other task was continuing the search for the critically endangered skink Egernia stokesii bardia or Meelyu, the totem of the Badamia. It is known to be present in the region in the Karara area where it has to be translocated from mining sites.
Thanks to our team of skilled volunteers, many of whom have been welcomed more than once to the wonders of the Yarra Yarra supporting our work! Another thanks to Badamia man and DBCA Ranger Lance, who brought expertise to the skink hunt. Thank you also to our Weelhamby neighbours, who assisted our ease of site access via their adjoining property.
