Alice Springs Urban
Arid Lands Environment Centre
Landcare projects undertaken by ALEC include continuing strong involvement with the Ilparpa Valley Landcare Group adjacent to Alice Springs (see Ilparpa Valley section below). ALEC continues to host the Waterwatch Coordinator for Central Australia, who has recently coordinated the formation of the Emily Hills Landcare Group. The centre is also a member of the Central Australian Buffel Grass Working Group which, amongst other things, is encouraging people to control buffel grass on their properties for biodiversity reasons. ALEC is a key contributor to the Alice Springs Urban Water Management Strategy which is soon to enact a major water conservation program across the town. At the start of 2001, ALEC also provided an important service to the people of Alice Springs by establishing the Bowerbird Tip Shop at the Alice Springs landfill. Goods destined for the landfill are salvaged and resold back into the community, providing a recycling service that did not previously exist in Alice Springs.
Australian Plants Society - Alice Springs
This local group with an interest in native plants holds regular meetings and field trips to learn about local plants. They aim to encourage the cultivation and study of Australian plants. They visit gardens and other places of interest and have a display at the annual Alice Springs show and other functions related to the environment and landcare. They are involved in long term monitoring of the following threatened plants, Acacia latzii, Acacia undoolyana and Acacia pickardii.
Emily Hills Landcare Group
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| Chipping Weeds |
The group is undertaking work to protect the remnant vegetation of the Lower Todd River riparian zone from the impact of weeds and fire. Group activities include slashing firebreaks, clearing weeds from around significant vegetation, rubbish removal, recreation and educational activities. Emily Hills Landcare Group consists of a steering committee and on-ground volunteers. The steering committee has a planning role and is composed of local residents, business people, community land management workers and scientists. Most volunteers come from the Amoonguna Farms Community, who form the nucleus of the group and are pro-active in involving other members of the Emily Hills community. The major business sponsors of the group are the Alice Springs Airport, Macdonell Range Holiday Park and the Frontier Camel Farm. The group’s activities will result in a healthier riverine habitat, and will have positive social outcomes for the people of Emily Hills and Amoonguna Farm.
Friends of Coolibah Swamp
The Friends of Coolibah Swamp consists of a group of people interested in the protection and sustainable use of a remnant patch of vegetation which is located in the centre of Alice Springs. The vegetation stand is experiencing die back due to considerable changes to the natural drainage in addition to other problems such as rubbish and invasion of weeds. Greening Australia is facilitating the group in establishing a self sustaining program. Waterwatch monitoring is regularly carried out.
Ilparpa Valley Landcare Group
This group aims to maintain and enhance the natural and cultural values of the Ilparpa Valley and is assisted by ALEC. In October 2000, ALEC released a substantial report entitled ‘Ilparpa Commonage: Issues and Actions’ that details the natural and cultural values, community uses and concerns of Ilparpa Valley including future management recommendations. This has become an important planning tool for the landcare group. ALEC also has an NHT project called ‘Threat reduction and rehabilitation of ephemeral claypans at Ilparpa’ which is assisting the Ilparpa Valley Landcare Group to plan and undertake works around the claypans area of the valley
