6 August 2009
The Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation has launched the “Biosphere Bandicoot Buddy” campaign to raise funds for its work, which includes a recovery program for the endangered Southern Brown Bandicoot.
The Southern Brown Bandicoot is a nationally endangered species. Until the 1970s, it was common in the heathy woodlands of the Melbourne and Western Port region, including the Seaford-Frankston and Cranbourne-Langwarrin areas, and parts of the Koo Wee Rup, Cardinia and Bass Coast regions.
Today, the region’s only secure population occurs at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne. This population has limited genetic diversity, making it vulnerable to fire and disease. It is also becoming isolated from other remnant bandicoot populations by rapid urban development.
Reconnecting this population with remnant groups scattered between Frankston, Koo Wee Rup and Bunyip will help to ensure the future of the bandicoot. The Biosphere Foundation is attempting to do this by coordinating a regional recovery program.
The plan, which complements state and national recovery plans, identifies the need for work in three major areas:
The Biosphere Foundation began the bandicoot recovery program in November 2006 by organising the first forum on the species in Victoria, attracting over 50 scientists, government departments and land managers.
More recent efforts include habitat revegetation at The Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve in Frankston, cooperation with landholders in the Koo Wee Rup and Bayles area to create biolinks, fox control, GIS mapping, monitoring and working with landholders to improve management practices.
Biosphere Foundation chair, Rob Gell, hopes that the Biosphere Bandicoot Buddy campaign will raise the funds necessary to continue its bandicoot recovery program and other work to foster biodiversity conservation and sustainable development within the Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve region.
“The bandicoot recovery program is a shining example of the exciting progress that we have made with no direct federal or state government funding and crucial, but limited, support from the councils of Mornington Peninsula Shire, Frankston City, and Cardinia Shire,” Mr Gell said.
“But we need a broader funding base if this vital work is to continue.”
The Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve was declared by UNESCO in 2002, following nomination by the community, state government, and five local governments.
A UNESCO biosphere reserve is a living laboratory where people cooperate to develop better ways to manage the Earth's resources to meet human needs, while conserving natural processes and biodiversity.
Biosphere reserves have three functions:
The Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation Ltd—the Biosphere Foundation—was established in 2003 to implement the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program in this biosphere reserve.
The Biosphere Foundation is an independent, non-profit, community-based organisation. Its board, led by independent chair Rob Gell, includes representatives from the broad community, Victorian Minister for the Environment, Parks Victoria, and five local governments.
Rob Gell, Chair
p| 03 9415 7479
m| 0412 327 185
Cecelia Witton, Executive Officer
p| 03 5979 2167
m| 0418 348 959
