Latest funding boost will keep an eye on the frogs

EFFORTS to return native growling grass frogs to Winton Wetlands are set to receive a major boost with new funds granted by the Wettenhall Environment Trust. The trust has provided a $50,000 grant to increase the capacity of breeding facilities at the wetlands to help frogs through their critical breeding and early development stages. Members of the Wettenhall board of trustees visited Winton Wetlands on Thursday, March 28 for their annual strategic planning meeting, taking the opportunity to inspect first-hand the progress to date with the growling grass frog project. Wettenhall provided funds for an initial feasibility study for the project in 2018 and together with the Purry Burry Trust, funded the fit out the building which now houses the frog laboratory and adjacent outdoor breeding pods. The first batch of around 30 growlers were transferred from a location near Bendigo in March last year, and have spent the past year settling in and being closely monitored for general health and any signs of fungal or other infections. Winton Wetlands restoration manager Dr Lisa Farnsworth said the team is keen to extend the number of holding pods from six up to eight or nine, taking account of what they've learned over the past year in regard to the kinds of design which may be most conducive to the rearing of tadpoles. “We think we can fine-tune a little to improve the chances for successful breeding and rearing of the young," she said. “A particularly exciting aspect of the latest funding is that it’s going to give us the chance to show members of the public what’s going on each day, via a live video link. "Some of the funds will also go towards creating a live video feed from the frog holding area to the Mokoan Hub & Café, the central information point for visitors coming to the wetlands, allowing members of the public to view frogs and tadpoles on screen at any time. “This fits in with one of our other key objectives which is to engage more members of the community in what’s going on here and help them to understand what it’s all about and how to support the work.” Progress to date has resulted from close cooperation between Winton Wetlands and a network of passionate and highly skilled volunteers, staff, researchers and agency staff as well as financial support from generous private and corporate donations and Federal Government and philanthropic funding. Winton Wetlands aquatic ecologist Lance Lloyd said the frog breeding work has relevance beyond one area alone. “It links into much broader efforts now under way for restoration of wildlife habitat and water quality across the nation, at local, state and Commonwealth levels," Mr Lloyd said.

Latest funding boost will keep an eye on the frogs

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