Lynne Mowbray |

The Big Bat and Wildlife Festival will be held this Saturday February 23 at the Maclean Showground, showcasing the flora and fauna of the Clarence Valley.

Come along and meet the volunteers who are caring for our wildlife and habitat and find out what goes on behind the scenes.

Representatives from many of the wildlife and environmental groups will on hand, showcasing their group’s activities:

• WIRES – Rescue stories, how to care for critters, until the big re-release day.
• Cane Toaders – What it takes to catch cane toads in the dead of the night.
• Valley Watch – Talk about their challenges protecting our environment.
• The Land Doctor – All the dirt on our NOT Sustainable Land/Water Management.
• The real risks of living near a Bat Colony.
• Plan your travel of Australia with wildlife destinations.
• Bird watching in the Clarence Valley – the best spots.
• What to do about Indian Mynahs.
• Wildlife SOS – find out what they do.

Check out the Australian wildlife displays with reptiles, birds and marsupials (at the Clydesdale Pavilion beside the showground ring between 3pm – 6pm) as well as a presentation from Dingo Conservation, with live dingos.

Maclean Landcare encourage event goers to bring along a plant for identification. If it is a weed, they will swap it for a free native plant to put in its place.

There will be plenty of activities, including presentations, inside the Jim Thompson Pavilion, with the CWA serving up delicious Devonshire Tea.

Several food stalls will also be available; including local produce sales.

A Welcome to Country will be given by Uncle Ron Heron at 1pm and live music will be performed by several bands and artists throughout the afternoon.

There are plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained with sand wizardry, face painting and creative craft making.

At sunset, Dr Greg Clancy will be sharing his knowledge about the Big Bat fly-out, explaining where the bats are going as well as other information about these creatures.

The Big Bat and Wildlife Festival will be held at the Maclean Showground on Saturday February 23 from noon – sunset.

For more information contact: bigbatandwildlifefestival@gmail.com