NSW and ACT Twitchathon 2005
Proceeds to go to the Environmental Education Programme for the Birds
Australia Gluepot Reserve in the Murray Mallee
This year Gluepot Reserve near Waikerie in South Australia will be the
recipient of our fund raising conservation efforts, specifically, to provide
facilities and equipment for the new Environment Educational Programme .
Gluepot Reserve is Australia's largest community owned and managed
conservation reserve. Situated 64 km from the River Murray in South
Australia's Riverland, the Reserve is managed and operated entirely by
volunteers. Some 54,390 ha in size, it is home to 18 nationally threatened
species of birds, 53 species of reptiles and 12 species of bats. There are
few areas in the world which support such a concentration of threatened
species.
By successfully combining the elements of biodiversity conservation and land
management, scientific research and monitoring and sustainable eco-tourism,
Gluepot Reserve has taken conservation management into a new era. The
Reserve is developing an international "model" to show that sustainable use
of the landscape is both feasible and desirable. A highly successful program
of this size and complexity is unique in Australian land management and
serves to increase awareness of the environmental issues surrounding this
highly endangered area of Australian Wilderness.
Many people from NSW have been to Gluepot Reserve to see its rarities such
as Black-eared Miners, Striated Grass-wrens, White-browed Treecreepers &
Red-lored Whistlers, while some have been there as part of the Volunteer
Ranger Program.
This Twitchathon Project will provide vital facilities for the fourth
crucial "element" in the Reserve's long-term Plan of Management - the
provision of Environmental Education
Twitchathon funds will be used to help establish the Environmental
Education Programme at Gluepot Reserve through the purchase of a limited
amount of building material (particularly building insulation) and in
particular, audio visual equipment such as 35 mm projector; overhead
projector, data projector and laptop (for Power Point presentations);
screen; desks and chairs; binoculars and identification books; course
material etc.
How to join the Twitchathon 2005
October 29-30
1. Contact Alan Morris for your 2005 Twitchathon Kit
2. Form a team with one or even a dozen friends and family and go
birdwatching over this October weekend. You can travel anywhere in NSW
and/or the ACT. See how many species of birds your team can find from 3 pm
Saturday 29 October to 4 pm Sunday 30 October 2005. Note the new starting
and finishing time as trialled in 2004.
3. Get sponsors. In the weeks before this event, persuade family and
friends to sponsor you so many cents or even dollars for each species your
team sees. You just need either lots of little sponsorships or a few big
ones!
There are prizes for the most species seen by three winning teams as well as
prizes for the most money raised, the rarest bird seen by an individual, and
prizes for children. Trophies, two weekend cottage stays (one donated by
Henry & Katharine Nix - on the South Coast, the other by Oskar Feichtinger-
in the Capertee Valley), binoculars (Gerber 8x42 Avian Binoculars donated by
The Binocular & Telescope Shop. Sydney), books, book vouchers, champagne,
wine and other prizes to go to the winners in the various categories of the
Twitchathon. Contact Alan for a full list.
So don't think that you have to be an A class birdwatcher to take part.
Whichever method you chose for your Twitchathon - the laid back (ie the
Champagne Race), the deadly serious, or the donor only version, remember it
is all about educating others into the importance of nature conservation,
particularly the conservation of Australian birds.
Last year we raised $10,500, the year before $13548! In the past five years
we have raised over $55,000. This is a great achievement and we have been
able to make a significant difference for the birds in the Capertee Valley,
the Murray Valley, the Cowra District & Newhaven Station (NT). I know that
you will join me in making a fantastic contribution one way or another. So,
do ask me for your Twitchathon Kit TODAY or sponsor a Twitchathon team in
your bird club or group! I can put you in touch with a team if you do not
know of one in your area!
Alan Morris
Twitchathon Co-ordinator
(For Birds Australia, Southern NSW & ACT)
c/- 3 Murray St Bateau Bay NSW 2261
Telephone: 02 43 342776
Fax: 02 9436 0466
Email
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