The storm which hit Mirboo North in February 2024 resulted in the loss of a significant amount of valuable habitat in the area. With environmental recovery in mind, the Mirboo North & District Community Foundation has put its support behind the development of a Biolinks Map for South Gippsland through the donation of $10,000 from the Mirboo North Recovery Fund to the South Gippsland Landcare Fund.
The South Gippsland Biolinks Map, a key action of the South Gippsland Biodiversity Protection Plan, aims to identify and connect key areas of native vegetation and ecological hotspots across South Gippsland.
“Wildlife corridors are really important as they connect fragmented habitats, enabling our native animals to move, find resources and breed, which increases genetic diversity and population resilience,” explains Jillian Staton, Chair of the South Gippsland Landcare Network.
The donation came from the Mirboo North Recovery Fund, established by the Community Foundation in response to the devastation caused by the storm. The Mirboo North Recovery Fund was generously supported through donations from individuals, community groups and businesses across the Gippsland region, as well as through the commercialisation by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Change (DEECA) of the windfallen wood that had been removed from the roadsides as part of the emergency clean up. Receiving donations of $95,000 in total, this has supported recovery projects ranging from school-based trauma recovery programs for children to resilience equipment for local halls and lots of events to allow individuals to connect and share their experiences.
The impact of the February 2024 Storm on the local environment was immediately visible, but there is no easy fix for the loss of trees and local wildlife. These are not structures that can be rebuilt quickly; rather the natural environment requires a thoughtful, informed and long term strategy to support regeneration.
“The SG Biolinks Map will help identify where regeneration efforts are best directed to get the best outcomes for both wildlife and the community,” explains Ruth Rogan, Executive Officer of the Mirboo North & District Community Foundation. “We hope to be part of future funding partnerships with local Landcare groups and landowners to support regeneration and revegetation based on the completed map.”
The SG Biolinks Map project, which will support the process of healing the environment around Mirboo North, sits alongside on-going recovery work by the Mirboo North & District Community Foundation in supporting community wellbeing and resilience projects.
You can find out more about the South Gipplsand Biolinks Project and how to support the South Gippsland Landcare Fund through donations on their website: www.sgln.net.au
