Earlier this year, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) asked FINIA and FIDO to help implement the IGEM K’gari Ecological Assessment Monitoring and Research Report’s recommendations.

QPWS (Department of Environment and Science) has provided funding for two fire rehabilitation projects on K’gari (Dulling Fire-2020). The funding will support accommodation and transportation for volunteers.  The project is a collaborative effort of FINIA members, and, is being managed by Fraser Island Defenders Organisation (FIDO).

The K’gari Coastal Foredune Rehabilitation Project is a targeted rehabilitation project incorporating the low coastal vegetation complex. Project tasks include monitoring, establishing a seed collection and restoration protocol, the collection of native seed and cuttings for propagation at the Eurong nursery, and on-ground works including restoration training and direct seeding within the vicinity of nearby fire-affected areas requiring rehabilitation.

Funding for the K’gari Pandanus Recovery Project 2022-2025 will assist in monitoring, establishing a Pandanus seed collection and restoration protocol and on-ground works including restoration training. Pandanus seed will also be collected for propagation at the Eurong Nursery and direct seeding within the vicinity of the collection of nearby fire-affected areas.

A couple of teams have now been out to the Island and works have commenced seed collection and setting up the nursery.

More information on the two projects will be released when available.  If you would like to be involved, you can contact Mark Dwyer at mdwy.dbq@gmail.com

Contributed by Mark Dwyer, Fraser Island Defenders Organisation