The University of Queensland`s Gatton Campus` reputation as a leader in environmental sciences will be enhanced with the opening of a bushland park in the middle of the campus on July 29.
Over the past nine months, putting greens have been making way for wildlife shelters as part of a visionary environmental project, a joint project between staff and students from the Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science (NRAVS).
The environmental redevelopment has transformed the former golf course and surrounds, including campus landmark Lake Galletly, into a 10-hectare bushland park complete with animal shelters, bird-watching hides and re-vegetated native forest.
Campus Manager Janelle Zahmel said the area would serve dual roles as a conservation park for native plants and wildlife as well as an educational resource for students enrolled UQ Gatton’s range of environmental programs.
“We expect the park will prove popular with birdwatchers as well, with Lake Galletly already a destination for thousands of local and migrating birds including magpie geese, egrets, Latham`s snipe (from Japan) or Asia`s marsh sandpiper,” Ms Zahmel said.
Work on the project began in November last year with more than 50 nesting boxes placed around the precinct for native animals and birds.
"The project is a truly joint effort, with a team of scientists led by Dr Greg Baxter, from the School of Natural & Rural Systems Management, staff from UQ`s Properties and Facilities division and the Student Wildlife Association of Gatton volunteering their time and expertise," Ms Zahmel said.
"The park will be a major feature complementing the already striking landscape of the Gatton Campus and will be a living asset that future students, staff and the public will cherish."
The environmental park will be officially opened by the Faculty Executive Dean Professor Roger Swift on Friday, July 29, at 10.45am preceded by the final stage of the vegetation planting at 8am.
Development of the precinct will be ongoing ensuring current and future students` continued involvement for years to come.
Media: Susanne Schick, Marketing Coordinator, Faculty of NRAVS (5460 1229 or 0409 265 587).
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