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Dear Geoffrey and All
As an interested reader of the GOG (Canberra Birds)
emails and a bird-watcher of pretty limited knowledge, but a keen one
nonetheless, I'm wondering if COG members might see some merit in pressing for
decisions on the Jerra Master Plan that are considered to be in the longer term
interests of COG and, perhaps more importantly, in that of encouraging a wider
public interest in our avian fauna and its conservation.
Would there, for instance, be advantage in seeking
to locate and "fit out" the proposed centre in ways that could enhance real
interest in our native birds (and in COG) in a wider public - especially
younger members of public? If so, how might that affect COG's attitude to
the centre?
What I'd be interesed to know in this context is
the number and "demography" of COG's membership. How representative
of Canberra's demography? Are there many younger (and active)
members? How many active members in any case? Could the centre be
located and fitted out so as to help redress any concerns current members may
have about COG's ongoing, medium-to-longer term viability?
If I am off-beam in this, I apologise! What
has motivated me is the (possibly incorrect?) sense that those who see the Jerra
Wetlands as an important place for keen, existing, bird-watchers to see
birds, and who value the relative quietness of the sites and general lack of
people who may disturb them, may prefer to avoid doing anything that might
"threaten" the status quo. That's a perfectly reasonable and
understandable position to adopt. However, is there an alternative that
could preserve and enhance what's important now, but also offer some effective
means to encourage new entrants into the facination of responsible
bird-watching? Could the centre be located and established so as
to provide a suitable "gateway" to the wetlands, with a focus on education and
encouragement?
Kevin
PS. On a different matter, our son and his
wife are about to move (from Sydney) on to a 300 ha property between Gundagai
and Adelong, the majority of which includes a designated,
well-treed conservation zone, adjoining a national park. They say
there are many birds on the property and they are keen to learn as much about
them as they can. Can anyone advise if there is something like COG that
covers that part of NSW? Thanks.
Dr Kevin Bray
02
6251 2087
0406 376 878
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