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Grampians National Park offers close encounters with wildlife
by Shamoli Dutt
11-03-2010
Parks Victoria and Conservation Volunteers Australia have joined hands to offer wildlife enthusiasts a unique experience of taking part in a small mammal monitoring project currently underway in Victoria’s Grampians National Park
The project is investigating the impact of the severe 2006 Grampians wildfire on local native animals, as well as the success of fox control programs.
Over the past three years it’s discovered new populations of endangered creatures such as the Long Nosed Potoroo, Heath Mouse and Southern Brown Bandicoot.
The teams are transported into remote locations within the park, armed with data-sheets, clipboards and a UHF radio.
Close encounters with wildlife are common as the group works alongside local researchers checking traps, processing wildlife and recording data.
Along with the spectacular views are the regular sightings of the other Grampians residents such as kangaroos, wallabies, emus and a range of local birdlife.
The number of project trips has grown from one to seven a year as demand continues to increase for this special outdoor experience.
To date there have been 123 Naturewise participants, who have contributed a total of 343 days to the Grampians program.
The trips range between five and eight days and operate between April and June.
Accommodation is provided at the Grampians Eco YHA, in single, twin, double or dorm rooms.
The program has Advanced Eco Certification, and has been identified as one of Australia's most innovative ecotourism products.
In 2008 it won a Victorian Tourism Award for Conservation Volunteers Australia which manages the Naturewise program.
If you are interested, join up for the next series of trips operating Friday 30th April 30 to Tuesday May4
Details: www.conservationvolunteers.com.au
by Shamoli Dutt - Austguide Travel News Editor
The project is investigating the impact of the severe 2006 Grampians wildfire on local native animals, as well as the success of fox control programs.
Over the past three years it’s discovered new populations of endangered creatures such as the Long Nosed Potoroo, Heath Mouse and Southern Brown Bandicoot.
The teams are transported into remote locations within the park, armed with data-sheets, clipboards and a UHF radio.
Close encounters with wildlife are common as the group works alongside local researchers checking traps, processing wildlife and recording data.
Along with the spectacular views are the regular sightings of the other Grampians residents such as kangaroos, wallabies, emus and a range of local birdlife.
The number of project trips has grown from one to seven a year as demand continues to increase for this special outdoor experience.
To date there have been 123 Naturewise participants, who have contributed a total of 343 days to the Grampians program.
The trips range between five and eight days and operate between April and June.
Accommodation is provided at the Grampians Eco YHA, in single, twin, double or dorm rooms.
The program has Advanced Eco Certification, and has been identified as one of Australia's most innovative ecotourism products.
In 2008 it won a Victorian Tourism Award for Conservation Volunteers Australia which manages the Naturewise program.
If you are interested, join up for the next series of trips operating Friday 30th April 30 to Tuesday May4
Details: www.conservationvolunteers.com.au
by Shamoli Dutt - Austguide Travel News Editor
