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“Dale Ecoscape” targeted for preservation

Wednesday, October 29th 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the most important biodiversity ‘hotspots’ in the WA Wheatbelt is being targeted in an effort to conserve it. The Dale River and its surrounds lie on the western side of the Beverley and Brookton shires and runs into the York shire, totalling 76,000 hectares. The Avon Catchment Council will spend $680,000 over the next 12 months to help preserve the Dale “Ecoscape”. The Council’s project manager Rebecca Palumbo says the area is rich in flora and fauna, and contains at least five threatened native animals including the numbat. “The Dale River pools are filling with sediment and due to salinity the remaining riparian vegetation is generally in poor health,” she says. “There is a need for extensive work on both the river and the remnant bush to combat the impacts of salinity and erosion.” Rebecca Palumbo says work to preserve the area will include; • Working with the community to identify high value biodiversity • Opportunities for fencing off remnant vegetation, revegetation and tree cropping • Fencing off the river and tributaries and revegetation along waterways • Workshops including a Rivercare workshop and Plant ID course • Technical advice and support • Opportunities for funding for pest control activities The Avon Catchment Council has appointed the WWF - Australia and the Department of Water to roll out the project. The funding has been accessed from both the state and federal governments. Media contact: Rebecca Palumbo, Avon Catchment Council, (08) 9690 2250 Caption: Local community members participating in a Rivercare workshop on the Dale River.