A Gulmarrad wildlife corridor that is one of the last remnants of habitat for the endangered Glossy Black Cockatoo in the Clarence Valley which is at risk due to a nine-lot subdivision determined in 2007 has seen a new approach, bringing together the landholder and conservationists to attempt to preserve the habitat and wildlife.

Gulmarrad resident Victor Ostrowsky realised the ecological importance of the corridor after many hours of studying the Glossy Black Cockatoos, also discovering how vital the area was for endangered Coastal Emus and Rufus Bettongs.

“There’s other endangered species here too but the importance of Carl’s bit of land is paramount for Glossy Black Cockatoos,” Victor said.

“They roost here, they feed here, and it carries them through their breeding season.

“There’s no telling what will happen to them, and the other 60 species of fauna and 70 species of flora living here.

“I have been growing 3000+ She Oak with the team at Maclean Landcare nursery for revegetation programs.

“They are the only food source for Glossies but planting trees only goes so far, if we’re losing established ecosystems like this one, we’ll lose many species in the 20 years our trees will take to grow.”

The Glossy Black Cockatoo population has seen a drastic decline in the past few years.

Having lost a significant amount of feeding and nesting habitat in the 2019/20 bushfires, they are now facing extinction.

Only 277 Glossies were counted during Birdlife’s 2023 Great Glossy Count, despite close to 900 survey hours across the Glossies’ mainland distribution range throughout NSW, Queensland, the ACT and Victoria.

When he noticed survey pegs amongst the old growth, hollow-bearing trees on the site, Victor was concerned and contacted the property owner Carl Ferguson to try to understand the motivation behind reviving the subdivision.

But this wasn’t going to be your typical developer vs conservationist story.

Despite meeting under the prejudice of opposing worlds, through a common admiration and respect for Australian wildlife, things took a turn when Victor informed Carl of the importance of his property as habitat.

“I heard whispers of some young bloke not being too happy about the development.” Mr Ferguson said.

“Soon enough, he came over to chat.

“We butted heads at first, but after some open and constructive discussions, Victor presented me with the idea to turn the property into a wildlife reserve.

“Although I need to sell to keep up with my costs of living and financially survive, subdividing would mean total destruction of this clearly important habitat.

“It’s a battle between need and conscience.

“In the end I much prefer trying to save the beautiful and endangered Glossy Black Cockatoos from extinction, than maximise my profit.”

Under the mentorship of Biodiversity Legacy Ltd, an organisation supporting community groups by providing a secure framework for acquiring and protecting valuable habitat, Victor and several other members of the Clarence Valley, including ecologists and conservationists, created Wildlife Preservation Clarence Valley WPCV.

WPCV is a non-profit organisation responding to the need to conserve important wildlife habitat in our urbanising landscape.

“We recognise that biodiversity is intergenerational heritage, it’s the colour in our lives,” said WPCV Director Barbara Linley.

“Conserving wilderness areas isn’t solely to the benefit of the wildlife, but all of us, residents and tourists, grandparents, parents and children.

“So we can continue to enjoy the diversity, the colours, the wonder of the Clarence Valley.”

WPCV is fundraising to acquire the aptly named ‘Carl’s Cockatoo Corridor’ and establish it as a conservation reserve.

“There would be no better way than saving one of our Glossy Black Cockatoo’s last strongholds, to send the message far and wide that, working together, vendors and communities can reach positive conservation outcomes that benefit everyone,” Victor said.

“Let’s save this important habitat for generations to come.”

To support this acquisition email wildlifepreservationcv@gmail.com or visit www.saveourhabitat.my.canva.site

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 10 January 2024.