RISING FROM THE EMBERS

15th June

Produced by Vivien Langford and Andy Britt

Guests

Dr Bronwyn Gould AM - Sydney Wildlife Rescue

James Link - Landcare Australia

From the Embers Episode Home and housed . Produc ed by Alice Ansara

Part 1

"A billion animals dead" was the headline. Were the worst fires in our history caused by arson, failed land management or the accelerant of climate change?

While the focus of climate action is to rapidly reduce emissions, the quiet work of wildlife rescue and habitat restoration also plays a big part. Rising from the embers is like rising from the pandemic - huge mourning and a desire to build back better.

Bronwyn Gould tells us about a possum called Phoenix, about de antlering trees to give a refuge to nesting species and what you can do to preserve wild life even in the city. Her photos of Phoenix and the Tawny Frogmouths in the link below will take your breath away.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/V7RWddtj3B6PHNXm7  PHOENIX

https://photos.app.goo.gl/FhbdbZz7T9WQfk5J9 MAKITA 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/jJqhX6VAAB2bAKct1 Tawny Frogmouths

But when they are restored to the wild what are the rescued creatures to eat?

Landcare Australia to the rescue. After the fires they have 600 groups weeding out exotics  and replanting food species, clearing water ways and doing citizen science. James Link tells us about ther 6000 groups caring for coastlines and inland places as well as in city creeks and spaces. They benefit from indigenous knowledge and local enthusiasm for place. Landcare Australia formed a partnership with WIRES to use the $1 million received in donations to fund the " community-led protection of habitat"  WIRES is actively supporting Landcare groups and networks, and other environmental community groups to improve the outcomes for wildlife and biodiversity.’

https://www.echo.net.au/2020/04/wires-and-landcare-australias-1million-wildlife-partnership/

Community groups like The Friends of the Leadbeater's possum can also have far reaching wins. The Federal court recently set a prec edent using federal threatened species protection laws to override state logging interests in their habitat. The carbon sequestered by not logging Leadbeater's habitat will be a lasting legacy of that community's tenacity and creativity.

https://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/franklin-dam-like-court-judgement-to-protect-victoria-s-endangered-species-from-loggers-20200528-p54xib.html

Part 2

The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia created a series of podcasts about the recent bushfires called From the Embers. This episode- Home and Housed is a brilliant audio record of the devastation and determination of that time. We hear froim wild life carers from WIRES, the ones who have to euthanase very injured animals and the people of Eurobodalla. Thanks to Alice Ansara and the team who produced it. https://www.cbaa.org.au/embers-podcast-radio-saves-day-ep-1