Koaladoors Junior Wildlifers Group
Project Profile
| Name of Project | Koaladoors Junior Wildlifers Group |
| Name of group(s) involved | Warrnambool Wildlife Rescue Inc |
| Location | Warrnambool |
| State | Victoria |
| NRM Region | Glenelg Hopkins |
| Corporate Partners involved | Sony |
| Level of Funding from LAL | $10,000 |
| Funding from other sources | $100,000 |
Issues
The Framlingham Fires in January 2007 had a devastating impact on Victorian Koala populations.
This State Forest, owned and operated by the Framlingham Aboriginal Trust, was an isolated pocket of natural bushland which was home to a huge population of native animals, including kangaroos, wallabies, possums, potoroos, reptiles, birds and over 5000 Koalas.
Severe habitat and Koala population loss as a result of the fires along with habitat decline brought about by neighbouring urban populations were the primary issues identified for remediation.
Project Detail
| Background to Project | Formed in 2003, the Warnambool Wildlife Rescue group had assited with wildlife rescue, developed and protected wildlife habitat, supported wildlife shelters, conducted public education activities and implemented training schemes for volunteers working with native animals.In the fire’s aftermath a number of community volunteers undertook the rescue, rehabilitation and release of 400 hundred injured koalas under the guidance of Warrnambool Wildlife Rescue. Following this community involvement Warrnambool Wildlife Rescue received repeated requests to provide volunteer activities suitable for children under 15 years of age who were legally too young to assist in wildlife rescue.
A devastating loss of over 90% of the Framlington Forest Koala population necessitated careful protection and rehabilitation of habitat for existing Koala populations. Due to it’s suitability for children this issue became the focal point for the establishment of a Junior Wildlifers group.
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| Key Objectives | •Establish a Junior Landcare group to engage young people in ongoing, long term environmental restoration projects •Protect and enhance the security of native fauna and flora •Community education •Personal skill development •Development of community networks and cooperative partnerships •Engender pride in community and community environmental projects |
| Description of Project | Under the guidance of Warrnambool Wildlife Rescue the Junior Wildlifers group was established to meet regularly to undertake small but consistent community scale environmental projects.The group created an educational puppet show which due to popular demand has become a permanent fixture at every local event and festival. The group performs loosely scripted shows which engage and involve the young audience and convey particular messages about wildlife conservation using humour, song and dance.
Festivals the group has performed at include Fun4Kids Festival, Tarerer Festival, Summer By the Sea, evening community markets, Relay for Life, and the Warrnambool Multicultural Festival to name a few. The shows include themes of bushfire, wildlife rescue, coastal animals and new shows are planned to satisfy their growing audience.
The group works with local musicians who assist with songwriting and composition. As part of the show experience group members also offer face painting, mask making, origami and distribute informational leaflets to further engage their audience and raise public awareness.
In addition to community education activities the group regularly undertakes activities which contribute to Koala habitat security including building nest boxes for placement in plantations, preparing tree guards, revegetation activities, clean up activities and assisting with fauna and flora monitoring.
Junior Wildlifers regularly invites local Scout and school groups to collaborate on projects.
Arguably of greatest importance, this group serves as a very effective succession and recruiting platform for the Warnambool Wildlife Rescue group. Through Junior Wildlifers children are engaged at an early age to foster long term stewardship and skills gradually learnt to allow seamless transition into the parent group once legal age is reached.
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| Project Outcomes – Qualitative | •Increased community awareness and education •Restoration of important Koala habitat •Volunteer skill building •Personal development of Junior Wildlifers group members •Improved biodiversity |
| Project Outcomes – Quantitative | •Over twelve community education puppet show demonstrations •Installation of five nest boxes •Planting of 7700 trees •Production of ten community education signs for use at community events/festivals •One family fun education activity •One awards ceremony for volunteer reward and recognition |
| Transferable Outcomes | Increased membership of Warrnambool Wildlife Rescue |
Photography
Aerial picture of fire showing destruction of entire pocket of bushland
Rescued Koalas in rehabilitation
