Community
21 June, 2024
Open day at Pallisters Reserve
THE Friends of Pallisters Reserve will hold an open day this Sunday, June 23.
Dr Desley Whisson, a terrestrial wildlife ecologist at Deakin University’s Burwood campus, will be a guest speaker.
Dr Whisson has more than 30 years’ experience in research, extension and teaching.
She specialises in koala, yellow bellied gliders and broad-toothed rat populations.
She aims to develop practical solutions to wildlife management problems, conservation of threatened species and the management of overabundant native species and introduced pests.
This Sunday’s open day will be held at the Orford Memorial Hall, with morning tea from 10am and Dr Whisson’s presentation from 10.30am (byo lunch).
After lunch (at about 12.30pm) the group will head to nearby Pallisters Reserve where it will enjoy a walk in the bush with local members.
Pallisters Reserve is a ‘Trust For Nature’ reserve managed by local volunteers.
It is a 254-hectare wetland reserve of which about half is native woodlands.
It is home to indigenous species of plants and birds, including koalas which are monitored three-monthly.
The reserve is surrounded on three sides by bluegum plantations which are due to be harvested soon.
It is an important sanctuary for biodiversity in the region and brolgas, native orchids and other threatened species are found there.
All participants this Sunday are asked to wear suitable clothing and shoes, and to take along wet weather gear.
