UQ Natural & Rural Systems Management student Tim Kane is walking hundreds of kilometres this Spring in the name of science.
Tim is studying Regional Wildlife Corridor No. 12 that transverses the Helidon Hills as part of his industry placement course. For the next few months he will spend most of his time recording the characteristics of the corridor, focusing on the various wildlife species present.
Tim is completing his industry placement project on behalf of the Helidon Hills-Murphy’s Creek Landcare Group between Toowoomba and Gatton in South-East Queensland.
Tim’s information collection project will culminate in a detailed report he will produce for the Landcare group. This report will also form the basis of his university assessment for the industry placement course which features in the major of degrees taught at the University’s Gatton Campus.
“Industry placement is a great way to apply the theories we learn in the classroom to real on-the-ground issues," he said.
"Sometimes these corridors can be just thick lines on a map. So I am keen to find out whether this corridor is continuous.
“If there are gaps then I need to develop land and vegetation management guidelines for the landholders so they can integrate their normal property management with protecting the wildlife corridor.”
The local Landcare group is delighted with the work that Tim has completed so far and is looking forward to seeing the information and recommendations presented in his final report.
Graeme Burkett, from the Helidon Hills–Murphy’s Creek Landcare Group said Tim’s work would verify the significance of this corridor in relation to its contribution to the occurrence of native birds, mammals and reptiles in the Helidon Hills area.
"This is one of the largest bush areas in South-East Queensland,” he said.
Tim will develop a bird species list based on transects and dawn and dusk observations. This information will contribute to the landcare group’s anecdotal knowledge of bird occurrence.
Greg Siepen, Industry Placement Coordinator at the Campus said the University was fortunate to have such a friendly and knowledgeable landcare group close to its Gatton Campus.
"Tim is learning a great deal through this project,” he said.
Tim will present his findings to the Helidon Hills-Murphy’s Creek Landcare Group in January before he submits his final report to the University for assessment. Landcare group members and other industry placement providers will converge on the UQ Gatton Campus to hear Tim and his fellow students report back about their industry placement projects during the last week of February 2006.
Media inquiries: Susanne Schick - UQ Gatton Campus (5460 1229, 0409 265 587).
Further information/comment on industry placement: Contact Greg Siepen (5460 1021 or g.siepen@uq.edu.au)
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