The Conservation Council has recently updated their 'Our Gungahlin Environment' website which is especially tailored for Gungahlin residents. You can visit it at www.ourenvironment.org.au

So, who is the Conservation Council?

The Conservation Council ACT Region is a not for profit organisation focussed on improving and conserving the ACT and region's natural environment. We are a peak body for many local environmental organisations such as Friends of Grasslands and Canberra Ornithologists Group. We are currently working on projects to improve the planning of new developments in Molongolo and Jerrabomberra so they are more environmentally sensitive and to try and protect the habitats of our threatened species such as the Pink -Tailed Worm Lizard and the Earless Dragon.

Why is the Conservation Council special to Gungahlin?

For the past 3 to 4 years the Conservation Council has been awarded some funding to run a community engagement project in Gungahlin. Our main aims were to educate and actively involve the new Gungahlin community in conserving the nearby nature reserves Mulligans Flat and Goorooyarroo. We knew that by encouraging a sense of ownership over these reserves within the Gungahlin Community the community was more likely to act in a way that was sympathetic to the reserves needs and fragility. Over the years we worked closely with Forde who had similar goals and held events such as a Sustainablility Fair and hosted several sustainable workshops. We also worked closely with the rangers Grant and Peter to organise guided walks, bike rides, and bush care activities.

But now we need help!

Unfortunately we are no longer being funded for the Community Engagement project and so we are doing our best to keep it alive with the minimal resources that we have. We would be interested in hearing from people in the community who are passionate about their local environment and who may like to volunteer to keep the community environmental engagement alive in Gungahlin. This would involve taking over the monthly E-News and helping to organise ranger walks etc. Please email or phone us if you would like a more detailed description of what this voluntary position may involve. We would love to hear from you. Contact details Anna See - Project Officer (ph) 6229 3200 (e) bushcare@consact.org.au

If you would like to subscribe to our E-News to receive updates about the Conservation Council and local environmental events please visit our website.