World Wetlands Day
Sunday 2nd February 2014
Goolwa Wharf, Goolwa
Notice: Due to extreme weather, and High Fire Risk
Our World Wetlands Day event has been postponed.
Tours A & B are fully booked, a new date will be posted soon.
Can agriculture and wetlands work together for better outcomes?
This year the theme for World Wetlands Day is Wetlands: Agriculture and Partnerships, in conjunction with the International Year of Family Farming.
The Lakes Hub in partnership with Goolwa to Wellington Local Action Planning Group, South Australian Murray Darling Basin NRM region and the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources are offering two free bus tours on World Wetlands Day to showcase and raise awareness of how agriculture and environmental programs can work together. Participants can choose between Tour A “Vines and Swamps tour” in the popular wine region of Currency Creek or Tour B “Last Farm on the River Murray” for a Mundoo Island and Coorong tour.
Hear Colin and Sally Grundy talk firsthand about being fourth generation farmers and the environmental programs that have been undertaken on the property as a result of the drought.
The unique property is the last farming property on the River Murray – where the river meets the sea. The cattle station is run over a series of islands nestled in the mouth of the River Murray, the largest being Mundoo Island. The fresh water passes through the barrages (under normal river flow) and mixes with the salt water corridor of the Coorong, flowing out to the Southern Ocean via the Murray mouth. Three of the five River Murray Barrages, in the Coorong at the end of the river, run through the middle of the Mundoo Island cattle station. A number of problems that arose during the drought and no River Murray flow from 2006 to 2010 caused great concern and heartache. A mass planting of native trees, shrubs and grasses based on different vegetation zones has been undertaken at various sites on Hindmarsh and Mundoo Island. The plantings will enhance the ecological value of the area and provide a diverse range of habitat for our many native animals and birds. During the Mundoo Island and Coorong Tour participants will visit Wyndgate Farm on Hindmarsh Island and hear about farming and conservation partnerships and visit re- vegetation sites on Mundoo Island and discuss the CLLMM recovery program. Project officers from DEWNR and SA Water will share their knowledge of the ecological characteristic of the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth and discuss Barrage and Fisheries Management, and how these impact on agriculture, recreation and the environment. Participants will also hear from the local Ngarrindjeri community on traditional farming practices and significant cultural sites along the way.
Bus tours are from 9.30am until 12.30pm morning tea included, meeting at the Goolwa Wharf 9.00am for Welcome to Country and introductions from The Minister for Water and the River Murray, the Hon Ian Hunter MLC. Bookings essential by calling the Lakes Hub on 0885370808 or email info@lakeshub.com
Download the World Wetlands Day itinerary here World Wetlands Day – Itinerary