The community continues to play an integral role in the Marna Banggara project in a multitude of ways. There are volunteers who invest countless hours to help us monitor native species, such as western whipbirds, hooded plovers and native orchids. Or by tracking predator species through the analysis of camera trapping data. Many local community members also get involved by participating in research, like the barn owl nest study, allowing monitoring of mouse populations on their farms or as part of the project’s Community Reference Group. Plus, the addition of a 25km predator-control fence across the Peninsula has involved dozens of landholders and we thank them and the entire community for being part of this process.
Help us shape the next Marna Banggara funding proposal
Although a number of partners have contributed to the Marna Banggara project, the Australian Government has provided the majority of project funding and its current phase concludes in 2023. The Northern and Yorke Landscape Board is currently preparing to apply for the next round of Commonwealth support that could fund the project during the next five years. To help shape the next funding proposal, we invite you to review the proposed activities for the next phase and provide your feedback via this short survey. Please submit by Friday, 18 November 2022 at 5pm.
Hooded plover Surveys
On Yorke Peninsula, Friends of Hooded Plover volunteers are working to monitor, protect and raise awareness in the community about hooded plovers. Every two years, BirdLife Australia coordinates a Count of Shorebirds including the hooded plover. Dozens of volunteers walk Yorke Peninsula’s beaches and record data and during the breeding season, local volunteers look after nest sites by installing fences and signage to educate beach goers.
Camera trapping analysis
To ensure low numbers of predator animals in the project area, we regularly set up camera traps across the landscape. Each camera’s data needs to be analysed and recorded, which takes a huge volunteer effort. If you have time to spare, please get in touch us.
FeralScan
FeralScan
is a community pest animal recording and management tool that helps
to record pest animal activity in your local area to protect farms,
biodiversity and communities. It is a free resource that can be
downloaded to your smartphone for easy recording of feral animal
sightings or attacks by predator animals. Find
out more about FeralScan.
House mouse monitoring on farmland
Many local farms have been involved in the house mouse monitoring coordinated by the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board’s Landscape Ecologist. Students and other volunteers have also assisted to collect data on house mouse activity, with the baseline results providing information relating to barn owl populations.
Barn Owl Nest Boxes
Barn owl nest boxes used in a study as part of the project are often constructed by volunteers at local community wood sheds (e.g. Leisure Options) and installed by volunteers and landholders. Find out how to get involved or register your interest to be part of any potential barn owl studies in the future.