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The Heart Morass Restoration Project was officially launched on 16 March by the Hon. John Thwaites, Minister for Water, Environment and Climate Change.
Commencing with an interactive tour of the property, the Minister and guests viewed the morass at its worst. With the rain falling, Uncle Albert Mullet started the official proceedings with a traditional welcome to country. Watermark Inc’s Chairman Duncan Malcolm MC'd the launch and spoke about the unique partnership between the organisations involved.
Field and Game Australia’s Chairman Russ Bate had the unique opportunity to speak about the proud history in wetland conservation and the valuable contribution Field and Game has made to the acquisition and preservation of Victoria’s State Game Reserves. Russ also spoke about the connection between hunting and conservation at an international level and quoted the positive hunting positions from some of the world’s major conservation organisations (source Peta’s website).
Minister Thwaites was the final speaker and re-emphasised the Labor Governments commitment to hunting and game management. Mr Thwaites also announced the Bracks Government had appointed three new game managers as part of a $2.5 million initiative to restore wetlands, protect important habitats and biodiversity and enhance game management across the State.
“Proper game management ensures game populations and their habitats are sustained and enhanced, which in turn benefits all wildlife and the broader community.”
Mr Thwaites concluded by speaking about the importance and significance of sustainable land management with reference to the Heart Morass project.
“This exciting project will ultimately restore the wetland to a place of national significance for waterbirds and other wetland dependent flora and fauna.”
The day after the launch, FGA volunteers with $1.5 million dollars of earth moving equipment completed vital earthworks that could only be undertaken whilst the wetland is dry.
Click on image below to view slideshow of the launch and restoration works
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