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Jackson Cass showing volunteers how the drone works. Photo - submitted
Drones count koalas
By Lachlan Ellis Exciting new technology has been part of local efforts to monitor koalas, and a local environmental group has thanked the community for their support. In partnership with the CSIRO, the Moorabool Catchment Landcare Group (MCLG) used infrared drones during the ‘Moorabool Koala Count’ in February, along with community reports of koala sightings. The drones were used in tandem with reports by ‘citizen scientists’ using the iNaturalist app to report local koala sightings throughout February, as well as the knowledge of Wadawurrung Traditional Owners. MCLG Group Coordinator, Jackson Cass, said the use of drones will help provide accurate data on koala populations with continued yearly use. “Essentially what we’re trying to do is address the knowledge gaps that exist on koala populations in the Moorabool region. While we’re aware anecdotally that there are less koalas in the region, it’s really having that hard data to be able to prove that also, so we can plot the population over time,” Mr Cass told the Moorabool News. “In the month of February, people that contributed data made a total of 18 koala observations for the entire Moorabool region, compared to just 12 for 2021. It was an awesome result, and it was great to have that engagement with the community, we had 20 people join the event online.” Representatives from the CSIRO arrived to assist with the Moorabool Koala Count on Wednesday 2 March, and on Thursday 3 March visited Bostock Reservoir, where Wadawurrung Traditional Owners now own a 54-hectare site. “The CSIRO team sat down with the Wadawurrung Natural Resource Management crew and went over some principles behind the surveys, and gave them some GPSs, binoculars, and survey guides,” Mr Cass said.
The Moorabool News – 29 March, 2022 Page 15
Elizabeth Wadeson is part of the Moorabool Makers group knitting for those in need. Photo - MSC
Knitting one, giving plenty By Lachlan Ellis
“We set up a couple of transects that the Wadawurrung are going to continue into the future as part of their Management Plan for that particular bit of bush.” On Thursday 3 March and Friday 4 March, the surveyors headed to Gordon, and were able to fly a thermal drone on the Friday. The Moorabool Koala Count was a pilot program, and Mr Cass said the MCLG was hoping to expand it in the future, with more community groups and transect lines. “Eric from the CSIRO used the saying, ‘when’s the best time to plant a tree’, and the best time is 20 years ago…the second-best time is today. It’s the same with monitoring koalas – it would’ve been good to start 20 years ago, but the second-best time is to start today, and continue to do that so we can actually get that information about what the populations are doing,” Mr Cass said. “That helps us be able to make better decisions about how to protect them, and conserve them into the future. “I’d like to thank the community…their contribution was really amazing, and really sets the tone about what we can do into the future, and how these results can influence better management actions.” For more information on the Moorabool Koala Count, visit www.mooraboolcatchment.com. au/the-moorabool-koala-count/.
A local group of knitters has made more than 3,000 items for those in need over the last three years, and they don’t plan to stop any time soon. The Moorabool Makers Craft Group was instigated by the Lerderderg Library in July 2018, for anyone with an interest in craft – be it knitting or other crafts such as crocheting, macrame, or beading – to meet with fellow crafters and chat over a cuppa. In the past three years, the group has donated 3,400 items, with 500 donated already this year. “The group also has an interest in working for the community and those in need, by knitting and crocheting blankets and garments for the KOGO (Knit One Give One) organisation,” Moorabool Makers member Elizabeth Wadeson told the Moorabool News. “Several of us had been making items for KOGO prior to joining Moorabool Makers and were interested in continuing with this charitable organisation.” KOGO was founded in 2004 by one person who organised family and friends to knit for charity, to help those in need suffering during a cold winter. In its first year KOGO distributed 180 scarves, but now the volunteer-run, not-for-profit group distributes over 100,000 items a year, supplying over 310 Public Benevolent Institutions, charities, and government agencies. The donated items go towards crisis accommodation, emergency relief, homelessness, refugees, domestic violence refuges, remote indigenous communities, and more. On Wednesday 30 March, the Moorabool Makers will be hosting a guest speaker from KOGO for an afternoon tea, from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm at the Lerderderg Library. To find out how you can ‘make’ a difference, register to attend the afternoon tea by visiting www.eventbrite.com.au and searching ‘KOGO - 'Make' a difference’. The Moorabool Makers also meet twice weekly at Lerderderg Library, from 1 – 3 pm on Wednesdays, and 6 – 8 pm on Thursdays.