Bushtracks Spring 2022

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We’re thrilled to bring you the Spring edition of our quarterly magazine Bushtracks.

Spring in Victoria, where I live, is typically a time of renewal, and sunshine-filled warmer days. When we conceptualised this edition, the promise of Spring was upon us, and while there are still many bright days to be found, the recent record rainfall and flooding across much of Australia was another climatic step change from our ‘typical’ expectations of the seasons.

We extend our thoughts and support to those communities impacted by the recent weather events.

As recovery efforts begin throughout towns, landscapes and on our reserves, we’re reminded of the work we must do to maintain the beauty and diversity of this continent’s fragile climate and ecosystems.

These events tell us that the time to act is now, we must broaden our horizons and have big conversations about what we want our future to look like, and who will lead the way. And, as you’ll read in this edition of Bushtracks, there are people not wasting a moment. They’re getting stuck in, hand-in-hand with boots on the ground, to heal country.

Recently, four of our amazing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues joined people from all over the country to travel to Garma Festival in Gulkula, Arnhem Land, on the sacred lands of the Yolngu people and the Gumatj clan group. They were there to look ahead to the future, and after days of bunggul (traditional dance), miny’tji (art), manikay (song), ceremony, workshops and more, they came away uplifted and ready to bring the lessons learnt back to our organisation.

In Tasmania, on palawa Country, truwana Rangers led the first cultural burn on Friendly Beaches Reserve. This was a historic moment in more ways than one, signifying a change in how we manage this landscape and one that will hopefully have great outcomes for the vulnerable New Holland Mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae).

And in South Australia, researchers and scientists experienced first-hand what favourable conditions can mean for endangered species populations, with new and increased sightings of one very special bird... but I’m not going to spoil that story for you now.

While there is much good news to be found, we’re continually reminded of the need to build our skills to manage our fragile environment. This is where people come in. In our story, Conservation’s next generation, we share with you one way that we are tackling the future by upskilling early-career conservationists.

Because people are at the heart of each of these stories. People are the drivers of change and the tangible actions that we take now can mean a future full of life that is thriving.

After reading this edition we hope you come away filled with the motivation and energy to join us in getting stuck in.

Heather Campbell, Chief Executive Officer.