29th October 2013 – Release of new study “Thurgoona and Wirlinga Community Understanding & Knowledge of Biodiversity”

Findings from a recent study into the local community’s understanding and knowledge of biodiversity has just been released. The study was undertaken by Dr Shelby Laird and Dr Rosemary Black of Charles Sturt University’s Institute for Land, Water and Society (School of Environmental Sciences). The study was part funded by the Albury Conservation Company through it’s Community Grants Program (2012/13).

The following is an abstract from the report which can be read in it’s entirety by clicking here

Abstract

The Thurgoona and Wirlinga region of New South Wales is expected to grow to over
50,000 people in the next 30 years. This growth will mean that the area will
transition from a rural setting to a more urban environment. The associated changes
will impact biodiversity and available habitat, particularly for key threatened species.
This shift from more open grassland to suburban housing with fenced and
manicured lawns means that many species will be confined to habitat in planned
corridors and reserves.
This research project collected and summarized baseline data about how the
Thurgoona and Wirlinga community residents understand and value biodiversity in
their own neighbourhoods. The ability to explore community knowledge and
attitudes about biodiversity and conservation before projects or education
initiatives are conducted (and in this case before population growth) is a rare one.
This baseline data could ultimately lead to more effective on the ground projects
that take into consideration local values and target increases in local knowledge on
biodiversity.