Nature's Voice edition 4
Welcome to the fourth edition of Nature's Voice, the VNPA's ebulletin and newsletter. Delivered quarterly, Nature's Voice arrives as an easy-to-read email and aims to keep you on top of important nature conservation issues throughout Victoria. You can now also download Nature's Voice as a PDF document. And if you haven't already signed up to receive Nature's Voice please take the opportunity to do so now by joining our mailing list.
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Edition 4, April-May 2010
Let's add Mt Stirling to the Alpine National Park!
Many VNPA members go hiking, camping and skiing at Mt Buller's neighbour Mt Stirling, and we have campaigned against inappropriate development on the mountain.
The VNPA says that the best way to protect Mt Stirling would be to make it part of the Alpine National Park.
Mt Buffalo gondola - fantasy or threat?
The proposal to construct a 'skyways' gondola up to the Mount Buffalo plateau continues to have the tacit support of the Alpine Shire's tourism unit, even though there has been no economic or environmental assessment of the project.
Alps willow busters go to work
Over the March Labour Day weekend, 40 VNPA members and friends headed to Falls Creek for the annual Alpine working bee.
Our tasks were to find and mark Grey Sallow Willows growing as weeds in alpine bogs, and to remove 'foreign' basalt rocks dumped in a bog as roadside fill many years ago.
Bushfires Royal Commission update
Fuel reduction burning was the most frequently raised issue in public submissions to the Royal Commission, which responded by appointing a panel of seven experts to advise it on both fuel reduction burns and ecological management burns.
Legislation passed in State Parliament on 27 November gave the green light for the creation of almost 100,000 hectares of new red gum parks from Lake Hume to the SA border.
Vale Chris Baxter
The VNPA notes with sadness the passing of Chris Baxter OAM, founder of Wild Publications and tireless promoter of Australia's wild places.
When not running his magazines Rock and Wild, Chris spent most of his spare time in the bush or overseas.
Water buy-backs crucial for survival of red gum parks
The VNPA welcomed recent commitments from Victorian Environment Minister Gavin Jennings to deliver environmental water to stressed River Red Gums and wetlands along the Murray River at Mulcra Island near Mildura.
But much more is needed.
Horses take over the Alps
Feral horses by the tens of thousands are set to claim the Australian Alps for themselves.
A 2009 survey of wild horses in our major mainland alpine parks shows that the population has increased to around 7700, up from about 2300 after the 2003 fires.
Federal government must act on NSW red gum logging
The VNPA and environment groups from across the Murray Darling Basin have called for action by Kevin Rudd and Penny Wong on the ongoing logging of Murray River wetlands in NSW.
Skeleton crew digs in against quarry proposal
Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park in NE Victoria virtually surrounds the goldfield heritage town of Chiltern, which is itself dominated by Skeleton Hill.
But now a new stone quarry is proposed on Skeleton Hill. In terms of visual impact, this is the worst possible location.
Coastal climate change paper
Since coastal environments are highly vulnerable to climate change, a Coastal Climate Change Advisory Committee has been set up to consider how far current coastal planning can meet future needs and conditions.
Parks Victoria's 'plan' for our alpine parks!
Parks Victoria's web-based process for developing a new management plan for the alps is getting close to draft plan stage.
First woman RSV president
The VNPA heartily congratulates Professor Lynne Selwood of the University of Melbourne's Department of Zoology on her election as President of the Royal Society of Victoria - the first woman to hold the position in the Society's 156-year history.
Fundraise for the VNPA - Run Melbourne
We encourage you to join our members and supporters who are raising funds for VNPA's vital conservation work by taking part in Run Melbourne on Sunday 18 July.
You can easily build a fundraising page for VNPA by going to everyday hero.
For more information please email vnpa@vnpa.org.au
Plus
> Grey Box grassy woodlands listed under EPBC Act
> Free entry to Victoria's parks, and park funding
> Bastion Point still threatened by development
> Red gum parks to be proclaimed in May and June