This Threatened Species Day, Sapphire Coast residents are invited to help search for the elusive Merimbula Star-hair that grows right on their doorstep.
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Dean Ansell from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said the free event on September 7 will involve surveys for the endangered plant in the parks and reserves around Tura.
“This is a great opportunity for locals to not only learn more about this beautiful plant, but also to directly contribute to its conservation,” Mr Ansell said.
“The Merimbula Star-hair is a medium sized shrub, with soft leaves that are woolly underneath and cream coloured flowers.
“We know this species from only a few locations in the area, but there is a lot of bushland that we have not yet searched.
“If we build on our understanding of the size and health of the population, we’ll have a much better chance of securing it in the long-term,” Mr Ansell said.
The event is being held in partnership with Bega Valley Shire Council and the Atlas of Life in the Coastal Wilderness.
Libby Hepburn from the Atlas of Life said participants will use the NatureMapr app, a citizen science biodiversity tool, to record sighting of the species.
“There are a lot of people in our community who are really interested in biodiversity and this event will help them to get involved in genuine on-ground conservation efforts,” said Ms Hepburn.
Numbers are strictly limited and registration is essential. Visit the Saving our Species page on the OEH website, www.environment.nsw.gov.au, for more info.
Several other Threatened Species Day events in the region include a Woodlands Bird Workshop at On the Perch Bird Park in Tathra on September 16 and a special day of family activities at Potoroo Palace on September 2 10am until 4pm.
These events are supported by the NSW Government’s $100 Million Saving our Species program that aims to maximise the number of threatened species that can be secured in the wild in NSW for 100 years.
