Rob Dunn, CEO of the Great Eastern Ranges Corridor Initiative and Sophie Bickford of the Central Victorian Biolink Project dropped into Euroa on Anzac Day to chat with members of the SRCMN . They had included a trip to the Strathbogie Ranges as part of their tour of Victoria .We took them for a drive to the summit of Mt Wombat so that they could get the feel of the landscape - From Mt Buller to Mt Piper- unfortunately mist shrouded the views. Rob and Sophie explained their projects, listened to our ideas and invited us to participate in a future workshop to explore possible partnerships.
The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative is a program that brings people and organisations together to focus efforts on establishing a conservation corridor along the great eastern ranges stretching from Cairns in north QLD to the Grampians in Victoria.
The initiative is a strategic response to mitigate the potential impacts of climate change, land clearing and other environmental stresses, on our richest biodiversity and the mountains that supply most of our population with clean water.
Current funding is focussed on the 1200km NSW section of the great eastern ranges but it is hoped that the project will expand into Victoria in the near future.
The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative is based on contemporary conservation science, but the key is simple – the more native vegetation that is managed wisely and affectively , the healthier the environment on which we all depend.
The Initiative’s focus is supporting biodiversity by restoring and improving the conservation and management of vegetation across all types of land use to provide the best available opportunities for species to move and adapt as the climate changes.
The Strathbogie Ranges CMN could act at a local level by becoming affiliated with the Central Victorian Biolink Project and forming regional partnerships that will bring people and organisations interested in conserving, protecting, connecting and rehabilitating land together .
The Central Victorian Biolink aims to become a focus region in the Great Eastern Ranges corridor. Sophie is planning a workshop with Rob Dunn in the next few months – SRCMN members are welcome to participate – we will keep you informed when dates and times are set.
