VOICES FOR THE EARTH

 The Clarence Valley Conservation Coalition’s (CVCC) final Earth Matters session for 2024 will be held from 6 – 8 pm on Monday November 18 at the Joan Muir Centre in Turf Street, Grafton.

The CVCC re-started Earth Matters this year after a break of several years following the arrival of covid. Held every two months or so from March, these environmental information sessions deal with an important issue or provide information on the natural world. This year’s earlier sessions discussed the situation regarding mining in the Clarence catchment, rampant development on the Yamba floodplain and Koala ecology, key threats and what is happening with the species locally.

On November 18 John Edwards will be discussing a rainforest rescue – a journey of discovery and renewal. This is the story of a six-year, Environmental Trust Funded bush regeneration project delivered by the Clarence Environment Centre. The project was based in the Chambigne-Shannon Creek area, one of Australia’s lesser-known biodiversity hotspots. 

John will cover the background, planning and works program, the ups and downs, the discoveries and ultimately, the successful completion of the Rainforest Rescue project.

John knows the area very well. He has lived in Shannondale since 1979 and has increased his knowledge of the wider area and of its biodiversity since his involvement from the late 1990s in the Regional Water Scheme campaign which eventually led to the construction of the Shannon Creek Dam near where he and his wife Patricia live.

The project that John will describe is an example of the outstanding bush regeneration that the Clarence Environment Centre has been conducting across the valley over recent years and illustrates how important local environment groups are in protecting what remains of our natural world.

The presentation of about an hour will be followed by a short question and discussion session and light refreshments. Those attending are asked to contribute a gold coin to assist with expenses.

The CVCC will continue hosting Earth Matters in 2025 with sessions being held in March, May, July, September and November.

Leonie Blain