Written by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. Photos copyright AWC.

AWC has just completed an historic translocation of numbats from the largest feral cat-free area in Australia (Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary) to the second largest cat-free area in Australia (Mt Gibson).

This is the first translocation of numbats back to Western Australia and is a critical step in preventing the extinction of this endangered species.

Nine numbats were airlifted from Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary in western NSW and released within Mt Gibson’s 7,800 ha feral predator-free area early last week. The numbat has an estimated population of less than 1,000 mature individuals and is declining, primarily due to predation by feral cats and foxes. This is the first translocation in a series of proposed numbat translocations to Mt Gibson. Working with the WA Government and Perth Zoo, AWC will establish a genetically diverse founder population, which is expected to grow to around 240 Numbats – increasing the global Numbat population by almost 25%! For more information on this project and how you can help save the Numbat, visit http://australianwildlife.org/…/mt-gibson-endangered-wildli…
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AWC ecologists are radio-tracking each numbat daily to monitor the success of the translocation.

Ed: Many thanks to the AWC for providing this article to the DCVC. Numbats are endemic to the Dryandra region, and you can follow more about the local numbats on this Numbat Taskforce facebook page.

Written by Gretchen Reynolds

A walk in the park may soothe the mind and, in the process, change the workings of our brains in ways that improve our mental health, according to an interesting new study of the physical effects on the brain of visiting nature.

Most of us today live in cities and spend far less time outside in green, natural spaces than people did several generations ago.

City dwellers also have a higher risk for anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses than people living outside urban centers, studies show.

These developments seem to be linked to some extent, according to a growing body of research. Various studies have found that urban dwellers with little access to green spaces have a higher incidence of psychological problems than people living near parks and that city dwellers who visit natural environments have lower levels of stress hormones immediately afterward than people who have not recently been outside.

But just how a visit to a park or other green space might alter mood has been unclear. Does experiencing nature actually change our brains in some way that affects our emotional health?

Welcome to 2016! Plans are already under way for Australia Day Celebrations.

The Town and Shire of Narrogin hosting a free community BBQ breakfast at the John Higgins Community Centre on Clayton Road, and visitors to the region are welcome to come along.

Breakfast starts at 7:30am, with music, poetry and entertainment. Face painting from 8am to 9:30am, and free entry to the Narrogin Regional Recreation Centre’s pool from 10am to 3pm.

Australia Day is the day to recognise the valuable contribution made by individuals and community groups over the years with the presentation of the Premier’s Active Citizenship Awards.