Joint media release
21 May 2010
A world-famous
bird watching property in Queensland was
today added to Australia's National Reserve
System, protecting the habitat of hundreds
of bird species.
Not-for-profit group
the Australian Wildlife Conservancy purchased
the 14,000 hectare Bowra Station near Cunnamulla
for conservation, with $1.2 million from
the Australian Government through Caring
for our Country and generous private donations.
Environment Protection
Minister Peter Garrett joined celebrations
at the new Bowra Sanctuary today, on the
eve of the International Day for Biological
Diversity.
"This remarkable
bird refuge is one of a kind and I'm especially
delighted we could help protect it for future
generations," Mr Garrett said.
"The diversity
of Bowra's bird life is staggering featuring
more than 200 different species, ranging
from the pink Major Mitchell's cockatoo
to top predators such as the grey falcon.
"Bowra's woodlands
and deep waterholes are alive with rare
species, including the vulnerable yakka
skink, a range of river turtles and the
tiny stripe-faced dunnart.
"This outback oasis
feeds water to the iconic Warrego and Paroo
rivers and lies in one of the most poorly
conserved bioregions in the country, so
protecting it is a big achievement."
Australian Wildlife
Conservancy founder Martin Copley said they
received generous assistance from Birds
Australia, the Bird Observer's Club, Birds
Queensland and AWC supporters around Australia
to help protect Bowra.
"Bowra is known
internationally as a 'must see' for bird-lovers
visiting Australia and we look forward to
it being a showcase for bird conservation
into the future," Mr Copley said.
"Education and
research will be a big focus for the new
sanctuary - we're about to launch a baseline
scientific survey of Bowra's habitat and
wildlife, and we'll use the results to develop
practical strategies to tackle feral animals,
weeds and fire management.
"One of the things
that first drew us to Bowra was its remarkable
condition - it's been carefully managed
for decades by the one pastoral family,
and we're continuing to draw on their local
knowledge and experience."
Former owners Ian and
Julie McLaren said Bowra has been home to
five generations of the McLaren family,
so the decision to sell was tough. "Our
family has cared for this spot for generations,
and we've always known it was something
special. Deciding to sell was hard, but
offering it to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy
felt like the right way to go," Mr
McLaren said.
For more information visit australianwildlife.org.au/Bowra.aspx
or environment.gov.au/parks/nrs
