Community News

Earth Matters…Idalia National Park and the Bridled Nailtail Wallaby

In the first Earth Matters session of the year Eric Wheeler will be giving a presentation on Queensland’s Idalia National Park, 113 km south-west of Blackall. This 144,000 ha national park protects extensive mulga woodlands, the headwaters of the Bulloo River and threatened wildlife such as Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby and a translocated population of Bridled Nailtail Wallaby. Eric and Margaret Wheeler’s grandson, Thomas Nixon, conducted a research project on the Bridled Nailtail Wallaby there last year as part of his Honours studies for an Environmental Science Degree at University of Queensland. Eric and Margaret spent some time there with Tom so were able to accompany him during his work and also had time to explore the park and record some of its wildlife. Eric will present an illustrated talk on the park, its vegetation and wildlife and also Tom’s studies which resulted in Tom being able to give an estimate of the wallaby population and the reasons for its decline. Earth Matters is a session on environmental issues which is conducted every two months by the Clarence Valley Conservation Coalition in conjunction with the Clarence Environment Centre. Time: 5.30 pm, Monday March 21. Venue: Staffroom, Grafton Primary School, Queen St, Grafton. All welcome. For further information contact Stan on 6644 9309. Leonie Blain