Hawkesbury Council has been awarded a $153,000 Saving Our Species grant from the Office of Environment and Heritage to protect the remnant Shale Sandstone Transition Forest in the Kurrajong Hills area.
Saving our Species aims to protect threatened plants and animals in NSW, and the Shale Sandstone Transition Forest is listed as a threatened ecological community - a naturally-occurring collection of native plants, animals and other organisms - at risk of extinction.
Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councilor Barry Calvert, said Council will use the funds for a seven-year project focussing on Matheson Park, Singletons Reserve and Diamond Hill Reserve bushland areas.
“These areas are significant as they contain good quality remnant Shale Sandstone Transition Forest,” said Clr Calvert.
“They also have good vegetation connectivity to the lower mountains and form part of the wider koala habitat in the region. Bound by Little Wheeny Creek, the sites are home to many native fauna.
“The threats impacting on this ecological community include invasive species such as weeds, foxes and rabbits, and unauthorised clearing of vegetation.”
Council staff will be coordinating the project with assistance from the Matheson Park and Singletons Reserve Bushcare groups.
If you're interested in being involved in the project, join the Matheson Park or Singletons Reserve Bushcare groups by calling Council's Bushcare Officer on 4560 4525 or email martin.gauci@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au.