Project team celebrates one year of protecting iconic Coorong and coast

The South East NRM Board’s Our Coorong | Our Coast project (part of the broader Project Coorong initiative) is celebrating a year of progress, with plans and action underway to protect this fragile and iconic part of our region.

Project Coordinator Tania Rajic said in this first year, the team has worked with the community to develop plans for habitat revegetation, protection and monitoring of shorebirds.

“The Coorong is one of Australia’s most important wetland areas, which is recognised by its Ramsar listing as a Wetland of International Importance,” Tania said.

“An amazing array of bird life call this area home, including a number of migratory shorebird species which rely on the coast to stock up on food before their annual migration.”

The project’s weed control program, including aerial Boxthorn control, has covered 35,000ha across the Coorong and the Limestone Coast area, with pest animal programs underway.

“In an effort to protect Hooded Plovers and Malleefowl from predation, aerial and ground based fox control program has treated 60,000ha,” Tania said.

“We have also implemented deer control over the Coorong and neighbouring properties.”

Together with project partners Birdlife Australia and Friends of Shorebirds SE, the Our Coorong | Our Coast team has supported bird monitoring activities in the area.

“Project partners and volunteers have been involved in a number of monitoring activities including Shorebird 2020 Counts, the Hooded Plover annual count, Orange-bellied Parrot surveys and Malleefowl surveys,” Tania said.

In the coming year, pest management activity will continue, and revegetation work will commence in collaboration with local volunteer group Friends of the Coorong.

“It is great to see locals and visitors getting involved in this important work, and caring so deeply about the fragile area. We hope to continue this strong connection with the community in the next stages of the project.”

This project is supported by the South East Natural Resources Management Board, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

To find out more about the project or get involved in upcoming activities, please contact Community Engagement Officer Kellie Jordan, kellie.jordan@sa.gov.au or0428 645 664.