Joint project to rehabilitate Amery nature reserve

10/4/93

Environment Minister Kevin Minson today announced a joint project to rehabilitate Amery Nature Reserve near Dowerin.

Mr Minson said Men of the Trees volunteers would work with Department of Conservation and Land Management staff to restore the reserve to something like its former condition.

The 107-hectare reserve had been partly cleared and was being degraded by rabbits and introduced weeds.

"The wheatbelt is the region most in need of practical nature conservation, such as this project, and I congratulate those involved in this constructive approach to revegetation," Mr Minson said.

Men of the Trees president Barrie Oldfield said volunteers would begin by helping the Agricultural Protection Board carry out rabbit control operations on the reserve.

"We will then collect seed on the reserve and use it to grow native trees and shrubs to replant the degraded areas," Mr Oldfield said.

"This will have a dramatic effect on the value of Amery as a nature reserve.

"Men of the Trees welcome the chance to develop this sort of partnership with CALM  and hope this will be a successful model for other areas to follow."

Mr Minson said he was confident the combination of the enthusiasm and dedication of MOTT volunteers coupled with CALM's expertise would restore Amery.

He said he also hoped the project would act as a focus for increasing local interest in nature conservation.

Media contact: Diana Callander 222 9595