Species experts across multiple regions are putting out a call to citizen scientists to help boost our knowledge of Gang-gang Cockatoos and their habitats across NSW, Victoria and the ACT.
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said seven new projects aimed at supporting the recovery of the Gang-gang after the bushfires will receive more than $700,000 in funding.
“One of the key learnings from the Black Summer bushfires was a need for coordinated on-ground action, monitoring and research across the entire range of a species,” Minister Ley said.
“These projects will help us to better understand the Gang-gang Cockatoo through improving the information base for recovery efforts and building on recovery activities already underway, making a tangible difference to the species’ recovery.
“The enhanced data will be complemented by projects including identifying critical feeding and nesting resource requirements; research into hollow nesting activity, foraging behaviour, population dynamics and genetic diversity; trialling artificial nesting hollows; and citizen science and education-based activities.
“We’ll be asking citizen scientists to get involved by recording their sightings of the birds as well as observations about nesting hollow behaviours and what these birds are eating.
“Collaborative action is a critical part of the Morrison Government’s $200 million investment in bushfire recovery for wildlife and their habitats, which continues to support the recovery of ecosystems over a year on from the devastating bushfires.
“Led by the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Species Coordinator, natural resource managers, researchers, governments, conservation organisations and community groups will be sharing new information and data for targeting future on-ground recovery actions that will make a difference to the long-term resilience of the Gang-gang.”
The Gang-gang Cockatoo projects are part of a $10 million multiregional funding initiative focused on the long-term recovery of 10 targeted species.
