News and upcoming events for the friends of Ben Ricketts

Several species of bats inhabit Ben Ricketts:

A wildlife weekend was held on the 12th and 13th of February this year at Ben Ricketts to learn about the bats living in the the surrounding forest. For the report and photos, go to the microbat page

Shareholders and Friends of Ben Ricketts are also involved in caring for the property. Bush regeneration and working bee weekends are held regularly:

Shareholders giving Wombat cabin a scrub and paint at the March 2011 working bee.

Photos from the March 2009 Working Bee

2008 -"Sandy" Book Launch 2nd November

All creatures great and small

Ben Ricketts is home to a richly diverse variety of birds, reptiles and insects. Thanks to Nancy Pallin’s close up shots here we can all get a glimpse of the small creatures of the area.

The many songs of the Superb Lyrebird

Lyrebirds abound at Ben Ricketts and are often heard mimicking other birds of the forest. These recordings were taken of a lyrebird going through his repertoire behind a screen of bushes, near the creek which flows through the lily swamp. As well as his own calls, you will hear him imitating a whipbird, parrot, currawong, kookaburra and magpie.

Lyrebird 1

Lyrebird 2

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A big win for conservation in the Jamberoo Valley

The development application with Kiama Council for the development of 195 dwellings on the land between Jamberoo village, Jamberoo Mountain Road and right back to near the Minnamurra Rainforest turnoff was rejected by Kiama Council on 12 December 2006. The council received many submissions from concerned residents and the local community following a concerted campaign to stop the develpment. See further details at www.jrooforum.com.au <http://www.jrooforum.com.au/>

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Plan of Management

The revised Plan of Management for the properties was approved by the Board on 5 November 2006, after useful input from several shareholders and friends.

Plan of Management Nov 06

Pictured are a pair of Meriodolum snails mating. These rainforest

snails live in moist leaf litter. Their strong shells are about 30mm across.

Voluntary Conservation Agreement finalised

On 21 December 2006, the Minister for the Environment, the Hon Bob Debus signed the Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve Voluntary Conservation Agreement. 90% of the total land area of the three properties which make up the Preserve is included in the VCA. Thanks to Rob Pallin and staff at the National Parks and Wildlife Service who have been working on the detail of the agreement over the past three years. Pictured are Barry Duncan, Rob Pallin and Peter Kent signing the agreement at a celebration pre Xmas gathering at the Preserve.

Come Along - Members' and Friends' Newsletter- Read all the news from 2006 up to the current issue: