 |
| Grey-headed Flying Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus), just one of many threatened species that call this region home. Image by Anthony Wardle. |
Today is Threatened Species Day, and September is National Biodiversity Month. And supporting biodiversity is one of the reason that so many of us grow local native plants, so I thought I'd do a quick post about some ways to appreciate and support local biodiversity here in Illawarra.  |
| Critically endangered Scrub Turpentine (Rhodamnia rubescens), fruiting in a natural area in Mount Pleasant. If it weren't for community volunteers keeping an eye out, this fruiting specimen might not have been noticed. Image by Emma Rooksby. |
Here are a few suggestions for how you can celebrate Threatened Species Day and National Biodiversity Month, even in lockdown:
- Run a backyard bioblitz, and record the biodiversity in your garden, courtyard or balcony, or perhaps at a local park. This is a great activity to try with kids: https://museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/at-home/play/backyard-bioblitz/. Once you start looking, you can find an amazing number of critters calling your backyard home.
- Start recording your biodiversity finds through iNaturalist! This is a great way to keep records of what flora, and fauna, you've found, and if you're not sure of the exact species, other members of the iNaturalist community will help with identification. There are a few local iNaturalist projects you can join, including:
- Participate in this upcoming webinar The Power of Partnerships: Saving Our Species and Landcare, about partnerships between the NSW Government's Saving Our Species program and local Landcare groups: https://events-apac1.adobeconnect.com/content/connect/c1/1892064813/en/events/event/shared/default_template/event_landing.html?sco-id=2337110341
 |
| One of the many images that local biodiversity champion Elena Martinez has taken over the years. This one shows a Net-casting Spider (probably a Deinopus sp.) ready to catch an insect in its net, while a Preying Mantis creeps up on it from behind. Al among the leaves of a Blue Flax-lily (Dianella sp.). Image by Elena Martinez. |
Happy biodiversity-ing!
No comments
Post a Comment