2012 Annual Report - Hunter Wetlands Centre Australia

Site Managers Report - Paul TruteWelcome back to another activeyear. I hope we are able to keep ourmomentum going, and continue toevolve and improve our community– as some of you have been doingfor over 27 years! 2013 will see thecompletion of the renewal of oursite management plan which willset a forward direction and providean action layer that will help drivegrants and projects in land andconservation management of thesite. Congratulations to all staff andvolunteers on a good year in 2012, andplease read on to get a feel for my roleand to understand some of the mainachievements in 2012.2012 sees the completion ofthe Environmental Trust Grant. Thisgrant ran from 2009 to 2012 and it setsthe bench mark for the site managerrole in relation to managing projectsfor the site. Taking over from thislast grant we were awarded a newEnvironmental Trust Grant, entitled“Hunter Wetlands community Ramsarsite improvement (phase 2).” Againthis outlines projectobjectives andactivity summary for the site managerposition and essentially provides uswith a funded site manager positionfor the land and conservationmanagement program of the siteover a three year period. This grantwill provide a total of $92,128 (Ex GST)over a 3 year period from 2012 to 2015.This funding enables us to identify andmanage critical projects and activities forthe centre. Some of the things in the grantinclude:Monitoring and evaluation plan for thegrant.Annual progress and final reports(including financial audit at the end of theproject).Achieve bush regeneration objectives.Manage our wetland complex (related toour Ramsar ecological character).Manage riparian related issues.Monitor our Egret Breeding colony andRamsar photo points.Report on bird observation records, andhighlight, if any, sightings for AustralasianBittern.Engage our volunteer’s participation,including student involvement in studyand work experience.Foster partnerships and traditionalknowledge.Promote and raise awareness onthe importance of our wetlands andsubsequent activities.Pursue and manage projects and fundingopportunities to achieve outcomes.Insert Environmental Trustacknowledgement from contractagreement specific wording ... forcontinued support of our Site ManagerPosition and management objectives.12