The Friends of the Brush-tailed Rock-Wallaby are seeking to collaborate with local businesses and other environmental groups to establish a trail of endangered animals around Kangaroo Valley. The aim of the trail is to raise awareness of the plight of locally endangered species – both the rock-wallaby and other animals such as the glossy black cockatoo, teastern spotted quoll, the broad-headed snake and the powerful owl.
Rosie Connor, leader of the Friends’ community awareness team, explains: “We are really keen to hear from local businesses who would like to host the new animal statues. They will be small and tasteful, as the trail is intended to enhance and blend in with the village. We hope that both local and tourists will enjoy them and learn a little more about the very special wildlife in Kangaroo Valley. Families following the trail will walk from one end of the village to the other and hopefully pop into many of the local shops along the way.”
“We are really keen to hear from local businesses”
The Friends have won a grant of $5,000 from the Wettenhall Trust to fund this project this year. The grant will pay for the installation of ten statues of animals in different locations around the village. Each ‘statue’ will be a silhouette made in Corten Steel, measuring no more than 60cm high or wide. Statues will be accompanied by signs with QR codes so that people can find out more about each endangered species. A trail brochure will target families with children and provide access to quiz questions and kids’ activities.
If you would like to find out more about what’s involved in hosting an animal silhouette statue, please contact me on 0424 200 249 or email friends@rockwallaby.org.au .
Rosie Connor