Get your Community Involved to Support Platypus Conservation - Platypus Surveys in SeptemberThe Environment & Sustainability Committee has a great project to get your whole community involved in a fabulous project that will help platypus conservation.
Last year a group of environmental groups and researchers submitted a nomination to list the platypus as 'threatened', but the reply from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee was "no." Or at least, "not yet." This means that projects that destroy platypus habitat can continue to be approved. They said that to meet the criteria for a 'threatened' species we have to show at least a 30% decline in population over the past three platypus generations. But Australian Conservation Foundation researchers say that because not enough surveying for platypuses has been done, this is a massive challenge. That's why They're asking for help from people already out and about near waterways on the east coast of Australia.
Rotary Clubs are encouraged to take the lead to get their schools and other community groups involved in Platypus Surveys planned to happen during September. I have contacted the relevant Catchment Management Authorities and they will help with access to some unique locations.
More information will become available through the D9780 Environment Committee, including Risk assessment registration.
Please discuss this within your Club and let me know if you would like to be involved. When we have a list of Clubs, schools etc we will try to allocate areas.
David Sanders
Chair District 9780 Environment and Sustainability Committee