At the launch were, second from right, JESWA director Peter Hannaford and, from left, president of the Australian Conservation Foundation Professor Ian Lowe, president of the Kowree Farm Tree Group and co-ordinator of Habitat 141 Andrew Bradey, CEO of MECU Phylip Doughty, and MECU general manager Rowan Dowland.
By Kath Gannaway
HEALESVILLE conservation group Judith Eardley Save Wildlife Association (JESWA) has helped secure a 236 hectare property in the Wimmera for the endangered red-tailed black cockatoo.
The voluntary group, which raised funds through its main street second-hand shop, handed over $250,000 to banking group MECU which has set up a Conservation Landbank to purchase habitat land for wildlife.
JESWA director Peter Hannaford and assistant Jeanne Wilcox attended the hand-over in Melbourne on behalf of the group.
Landbank is an initiative of MECU which is designed to offset the loss of biodiversity associated with new home constructions.
MECU’s aim is to become carbon neutral by June 2011 and the purchase of the 236 hectare bushland near Ozenkadnook is part of that goal.
The land, which is excellent habitat for the south-eastern red-tailed black cockatoo, has been named Judith Eardley Reserve in recognition of the group’s contribution. A spokesperson for MECU said it is estimated that only 1400 of the birds remain in Victoria and that MECU’s vision was to develop the diversity of the property to support wildlife while building and protecting the native bushland.
Ms Wilcox said JESWA, which is in its 11th year, had run a campaign for the red-tailed black cockatoo for almost four years and was thrilled to be able to hand over a quarter of a million dollars to help with its survival.
She said it was part of an outstanding six months for the association which since January had donated $1 million to help wildlife, including a donation of the $650,000 Yellingbo bushland to DSE, $100,000 to Yarra For Life and the $250,000 to MECU.
“It’s really good to get that land purchased and know it’s useful, beautiful land which will be well managed,” she said.
“Without all these people we could not do it,” she said.
