Connect forces

Great Eastern Ranges (GER) effort and International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has joined forces for this purpose. Over the next 12 months, we will launch a number of projects aimed at rehabilitating communities, wildlife and natural areas affected by severe wildfires.

It covers three priority areas in New South Wales and Queensland: the Lockyer Valley, the southern frontier borders and the Greater Blue Mountains. These areas have been severely affected by the catastrophic wildfires of 2019 and 2020. Companies face enormous task of getting out of the crisis and have to go a long way to repair all the damage.

So GER and IFAW have joined forces and have additional capabilities to carry out additional settlement work through our regional partner network, working with local partners: landowners, conservationists and community groups. In these natural areas, through private initiatives and the efforts of GER and IFAW, these projects add value to the important work that has already been done.

Rebecca Keeble, IFAW’s Oceania Regional Director, said it would take time to recover from the wildfire, which should be done in collaboration with the local community. Creating efficiency and regression is important. That means people affected by wildfires should be part of the solution.

He explains: “The Black Summer Bushfires are devastating. They have left the path of extinction throughout the area and left a lasting impact on animals and people. That is why it is so important that we are ready to help not only during a disaster but also after it. Ecosystems are completely lost, it takes years to recover, but it takes decades. Recovery is very important and we must do everything we can. IFAW continues to work with its partners to protect and rehabilitate animals, but we must ensure that there is a safe place for the animals to return. ”

This important task is too big for one party. That’s why IFAW has partnered with GER and their network of regional and local wildlife conservation experts, various community groups, scientists and private landowners. In this way we give our wildlife and communities the opportunity to cope with this catastrophe and live in balance.

The repair work is different and includes the following:

• Planting trees and shrubs provides places for native animals such as colas, couscous and gray-headed bats to live and find food;
• Placing nest boxes and providing nest building space in wooden pits;
• Make agreements with private landowners on safety and recovery plans after a wildfire;
• Community forums to develop skills and knowledge locally.

Overhead Great Eastern Ranges Initiative

Since 2007, the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative (GER) has been mobilizing people to combat the loss of native wildlife and their habitats, to provide natural solutions to the climate crisis, to protect vital resources, and to create habitats and ecosystems where nature and people can thrive. Thrive. Today we have one of the largest security efforts in the world. Through an extensive network of local, regional and national partners, we work on environmental and socio-economic solutions and improvements in health and culture in Eastern Australia.

Text: IFAW
Photos: Stacy Headman, IFAW (Front photo: Ember, Recovered Cola, located on a branch at her home with IFAW partner Friends of Cola)