MEDIA RELEASE 13 September 2010
Collecting information on the Cradle Coast’s threatened plants and animals Cradle Coast Natural Resource Management (NRM) is running a free training session for community members interested in learning about, or taking part in, monitoring threatened plants and animals. The training will take place on Saturday 9 October from 9am to 4pm at the UTAS Cradle Coast Campus to introduce participants to Tasmania’s electronic Natural Values Atlas, and provide instructions on the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) units and UHF radios; all useful tools in recording species types and locations in the Cradle Coast region. Volunteers from Threatened Plants Tasmania will be attending the training to hone their skills and share experiences in identifying and recording our region’s flora. Threatened Plants Tasmania volunteers collect important species information in the field and transfer it into the state-wide Natural Values Atlas. The Natural Values Atlas is an online database managed by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) that can be used to find information and generate maps on more than 20,000 plant and animal species in Tasmania. Dr Wendy Potts of DPIPWE in Hobart is a Senior Botanist in the Threatened Species Section and an Atlas specialist and will visit Burnie to lead the training. Training organiser, Belinda Colson from Cradle Coast NRM, said that building community awareness of the Atlas and how to contribute to its contents had widespread benefit. “Government and non-government organisations, scientists, students, travellers and other nature enthusiasts can access the wealth of information in the Atlas and use it to inform their work, studies or personal interests,” Ms Colson said. “No previous experience or technical skills are required. It’s an introductory training day that aims to leave participants with the skills and motivation to get involved.” Registrations for the free training are open until 1 October by calling Leanne Bonney at the Cradle Coast Authority on 6431 6285. Lunch and hands-on access to the Atlas will be provided as part of the training. End… Cradle Coast Natural Resource Management (NRM) works with community, industry, private enterprise and government to manage and improve our natural resources to ensure a healthy future for our region. Cradle Coast NRM is a committee of the Cradle Coast Authority. This initiative is supported by Cradle Coast NRM through funding from the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country. Media Contacts: Belinda Colson Coastal Coordinator Cradle Coast NRM Ph: 0408 055 272
Amanda Wilson Communications Manager Cradle Coast Authority Ph: 03 6431 6285