36 the Ian Potter Foundation Annual Report
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36 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Report The Potter name in the Environment & Conservation area is perhaps most synonymous with the funding of an ‘exercise in farm planning’, which would become known as the Potter Farmland Plan. Twenty years on, the Potter Farmland Plan continues to infl uence the agenda for funding by the Foundation. Sustainable development of land and land management practices remain at the forefront of the Foundation’s funding guidelines and practices. The Foundation believes that community, government and business partnerships are the key to solving the great environmental challenges of our time. The Ian Potter Foundation continues to support and promote the funding of research and on-the-ground works that promote the preservation of species and increase public awareness of the environmental challenges facing Australian communities. Funding Objectives • To develop partnerships with communities, government and the private sector to help prevent irreversible damage to the environment and to encourage the maintenance of biodiversity • To support programs and policies that are committed to the economic and ecologically sustainable development of land, and the preservation of species • To foster a broad public awareness of the environmental challenges facing urban and rural Australia • To assist communities that are threatened with serious economic hardship due to the degradation of land and water resources, and to develop policies to manage the social, economic and cultural changes needed for survival • To assist projects designed to preserve the built environment that has cultural signifi cance Left Sea Anemone, Epiactis australiensis/Epiactis thomsoni Environment & Conservation The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Report 37 DOLPHIN RESEARCH INSTITUTE LTD VICTORIA $25,000 to the response to multiple deaths and disease of Victorian coastal Bottlenose Dolphins in the Gippsland Lakes Mr Jeff Weir, Director www.dolphinresearch.org.au Protecting the health and wellbeing of our marine environment Nine dolphins have died in Victoria’s Gippsland Lakes since Monash University is a key partner in this project, with academic November 2006, some heavily covered with fi st-sized fungal support provided via a research committee. A recent Monash skin lesions that had penetrated deep into the dolphins’ University graduate student project supported by DRI has blubber layer. Initial monitoring by the Dolphin Research provided some crucial early understandings around the toxin Institute (DRI) in December 2007 revealed that up to one-third levels in Victorian waters that may be impacting on dolphins. of the dolphins in some groups were signifi cantly affected by Funding from The Ian Potter Foundation is helping DRI, the skin lesions. their volunteers and university partners to gain a clearer Inadequate understanding of the nature of the disease and the understanding of the current population dynamics and the population dynamics of the Gippsland Lakes dolphins make it nature and cause of the disease among the Gippsland Lakes diffi cult to assess both the signifi cance of the deaths and the dolphins. The research will go some way to highlighting issues potential for the disease to spread. affecting the health and wellbeing of not only Victoria’s dolphin population but also the marine environment. Above Victorian coastal Bottlenose Dolphins in the Gippsland Lakes 38 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Report MARINE CARE – RICKETTS POINT INC VICTORIA $10,000 to develop a pictorial book revealing Victoria’s natural marine world Mr Hakan Dellal, Vice President Creating opportunities to learn about and access our magnifi cent marine environment Marine Care – Ricketts Point with the support of the Foundation is currently embarking on the creation of a pictorial book that will provide greater insight and interpretation of Victoria’s natural marine beauty. The book will be particularly useful for snorkellers, recreational beachgoers, local communities and marine enthusiasts. It is hoped that once completed the book will encourage people to use the easy-to-master skill of snorkelling to learn more about their local marine environment. Special underwater photography will highlight selected marine sanctuaries, national parks, marine life and vegetation of interest. The book will also provide information and guidance on how to access and enjoy protected marine areas, allowed recreational activities, and details on how to care for and protect these environments. The book will complement the already successful outreach work undertaken by volunteers at Marine Care – Ricketts Point. Above Left Spider Crabs, Leptomithrax gaimardii Above Right Big-belly Seahorse, Hippocampus abdominalis Right Blue Blubber Sea Jelly, Catostylus mosaicus 39 MERRI CREEK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE ENVIRONMENT DEFENDERS VICTORIA OFFICE LTD (VIC) $16,100 to Out on a Limb – Reaching out to schools VICTORIA in distant waterways $17,517 towards EnviroLaw.org.au (national component) Ms Angela Foley, Catchment Programs Ms Mandy Johnson, Administration and Project Coordinator www.mcmc.org.au www.edo.org.au/edovic Inspiring students about local environmental diversity Empowering communities to take action on changes to their environment Out on a Limb is an education project designed to extend The Environment Defenders Offi ce (EDO) in Victoria primarily the reach of Merri Creek Management Committee’s (MCMC) works to support members of the community who may face environmental programs with schools. MCMC has a long history social or economic barriers to accessing legal advice relating to of working with schools and local communities to help people environmental issues they are confronting in their communities. gain a better understanding of their indigenous environments. The EDO relies on the support of volunteers and the provision of In the past MCMC has focused on working with schools in pro bono assistance from legal and other professionals. relatively close proximity to creek environs, enabling easy Funding from The Ian Potter Foundation and the Victorian connection with the indigenous landscapes that MCMC works Law Foundation is helping the EDO to create an environmental to conserve. Out on a Limb will offer established MCMC law wiki that will allow solicitors and barristers with particular activities in the form of school incursions and excursions to expertise to feed directly into a national online version of the extend, stimulate and develop catchment and geographic EDO’s popular environmental laws publications. awareness for schools not close to waterways. This program Once ‘live’ the website will be an invaluable source of information offers students a great opportunity to learn about diverse and legal knowledge on important environmental issues affecting landscapes and put their understanding to work within their communities. The wiki will empower individuals and communities own school environment. to make decisions and take action. The site will also have a national focus, allowing users and volunteers a clearer view on legal issues within each State. Left ‘The engagement philosophy underpinning Out on a Limb is to guide students into lesser known natural areas and have them fi nd a sense of place and connection through a series of activities with many outcomes including these tiny detailed sketches.’ Angela Foley, Catchment Programs Leader for Merri Creek Management Committee Right Northcote Primary School students responded with wonder and concentration to Merri Park Wetland as part of a series of interactions with Merri Creek Management Committee 40 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Report UNIVERSITY OF THE SUNSHINE COAST: SCIENCE, HEALTH AND EDUCATION QUEENSLAND $24,220 to the Fraser Island Young Explorer project Professor Greg Hill, Deputy Vice-Chancellor www.usc.edu.au Experience brings environmental science research to life The Fraser Island Young Explorer project will offer socio-economically disadvantaged Year 7 school students the opportunity to participate in ‘real’ environmental science on Fraser Island, Queensland. The project will give the students, supported by scientists at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), the chance to monitor and report scientifi c fi ndings for their own school-based projects and contribute to a long-term global research project on the challenges of environmental stability. Students will stay at USC accommodation in the Dilli Village Environmental Education Camp on the island for fi ve days, working with and learning from university researchers. Funding from the Foundation will signifi cantly subsidise the camp, ensuring that there are no fi nancial barriers to student participation in the project. Top Rainforest walk beside crystal clear Wanggoolba Creek at Central Station, a former logging camp and now ranger and information station. Photograph © Dr Christian Jones Above Wreck of the luxury cruise ship Maheno, driven ashore in a cyclone in 1935, while being towed to Japan. Photograph © Dr Christian Jones The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Report 41 42 ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA $1.25 million to the Australian Garden Project – Stage 2 (part of a commitment of $5 million over four years) Dr Phillip Moors, Chief Executive Offi cer www.rbg.vic.gov.au Celebrating the beauty and diversity of Australian landscapes and plants The fi rst stage of Australia’s newest and most remarkable As with Stage 1, the western side of the garden will refl ect botanic garden, the Australian Garden at the Royal Botanic natural landscape infl uences. In this area