Nature and Agriculture Rehabilitation Association Inc

PO Box 86
Coolgardie WA 6429

Phone: 9026 6376 or 9026 6234
Email: tree.top@bigpond.com
Fax: 9026 6566  

Newsletter  No. 6 – JULY 2007

The last 6 months has seen a number of improvements in the facilities at NARA as we  complete expenditure on grant funds received from GERDS ( Goldfields Esperance Regional Development Scheme, an initiative of the State Government’s Goldfields Esperance Development Commission) and Envirofund Round 7 grant provided from the Federal Government’s Natural Heritage Trust. The official commissioning of the new dam took place at a ceremony attended by 23 people at the end of June on a pleasant sunny afternoon where the Hon John Bowler MLA cut the ribbon under the sign acknowledging the contribution of the funding bodies and sponsors that made the project possible. Dr Jim Bawden the manager of environment and safety for KCGM gave the scissors to Brian Stanner,  the bulldozer driver sent to dig the dam last year, so he could cut the ribbon on the inlet pipes. Mr Morgan Sercombe a local pastor gave thanks for the rain that filled the dam and prayed for follow up rain to revive the land. The Department of Environment and Conservation(DEC) Wildlife Officer  Pia Courtis cut the ribbon on the refurbished release yards as we prepare for the next release of kangaroos to commence mid August after resting them for a year.

The 10,000m3 of water capacity in the dam is for supplementing scheme water for irrigation and wildlife purposes. It has been very encouraging to see the rapid use of the water body by wildlife and the amazing profusion of life in a short period of time. The local clay has made a good seal and so evaporation will be the greatest loss at around 1.5 - 2 metres per annum, this loss should be more than made up by rainfall as one thunderstorm of 38mm filled it in one day  all 5-6m depth. Ross Quartermaine spent many hours planning and starting the 3 km dam perimeter fence which we are currently finishing to prevent open access by animals both native and feral but the visitation of water birds and smaller animals of many varieties is very welcome. In the long term we hope to make this area suitable for re-introductions of rare and endangered animals

In the vicinity of the new dam a bush camp is being established by the Boys Brigade (Goldfields Group) which they and others such as DEC Bushrangers will use from time to time to hone their bush skills and be a base to be involved in environmental projects at NARA. We hope to develop more partnerships with other organizations who share common values and objects to us in sustainable land use, education and wildlife preservation. As part of this we will be making available places in our next release of kangaroos to commence early August, the DEC Wildlife Officer Pia Courtis cut the ribbon at the soft release yards re-commissioned now they have been improved and winter rains have started to green the landscape.

We will be holding a Bush Foods Seminar 17 & 18th August with a guest speaker Ms Jenny Cleary from Desert Knowledge Australia. We will be looking at appropriate sustainable practices and developments in commercial production as well as going out to a significant bush food dreaming site to sample the food and stories of the bush. Our infrastructure is coming together to start the bush foods trials with some planting already done at NARA and also at the Kurrawang site. Our new ablution block should be under way soon after months of frustrating delays which will be greatly appreciated by volunteers and visitors at NARA.

We need to increase our fundraising efforts and involvement of partner organizations to maximize the potential NARA has to reach its objective of “promoting the awareness and care of the environment along with personal development and education”. There are a number of community groups interested in using NARA and working with us as we seek to benefit the community as a centre of sustainable and appropriate land use. Our major sponsor KCGM has given us significant help in funding initiatives like our bush foods seminar and opportunities for indigenous education and training but running costs are a challenge at times, so all fundraising ideas and efforts are greatly appreciated.