NULLAWILL Landcare Group and Ultima Landcare Group are set to receive $48,495 and $45,285 respectively through the Victorian Government’s Community Volunteer Action Grants to assist with existing biodiversity programs.
Nullawill will receive $42,285 for their rabbit ripping program, and $6210 for their ‘Recognising Important Environmental Sites in the Mallee’ project.
Ultima will use their $45,285 to help protect the Buloke woodlands.
“This is the first time Ultima have been successful in getting a grant – Nullawill have had previous success in getting funding,” South Eastern Mallee Landcare facilitator Marissa Shean said.
“For both Nullawill and Ultima these funds will be very useful in regards to our rabbit control programs, we have a lot of young rabbits doing damage at the moment.”
Rabbit ripping is the process of destroying rabbit warrens as a form of pest control.
Nullawill will see a concentrated program of rabbit ripping and in Ultima, when the soils dry, there will be mechanical warren destruction, in addition to shooting and fumigating, to protect the Buloke woodlands.
“And the signage for the wetlands, as part of Nullawill’s funding, that will involve letting visitors know what biodiversity is found there, any plants and animals of interest,” Ms Shean said.
“Many animals have come back since there’s been environmental water there, and a rainwater tank will be installed as part of the funding.”
Ms Shean said that South Eastern Mallee Landcare were looking for volunteers across all their sites, and that day-to-day activitIes would include mapping rabbits, identifying weeds and planting trees.
There was also the opportunity to get training in baiting through the ‘Minimising risks in the use of 1080 and PAPP bait products for vertebrate pest control’ course.
“We work closely and collaboratively with the Swan Hill and Buloke councils, and the Mallee Catchment Management Authority,” Ms Shean said.
