Pollack Wetland Tour Opportunity

Western Murray Land Improvement Group (WMLIG) and Murray Local Land Services (MLLS) are hosting a tour of the Pollack Wetland tomorrow (Friday, December 18, 2020). This event is funded by Murray Local Land Services through the Catchment Action NSW Program and is open to all to attend.

The Pollack Wetland or The Pollack is a 700-ha nature reserve located on the Traditional Country of Barapa Barapa. It is within the Koondrook State Forest and is managed by Forestry Corporation New South Wales (FCNSW).

In recent years, the Pollack has been subject to an environmental watering program and provides an example of collaboration between government and local landholders, to achieve positive environmental outcomes. The wetland is considered a significant cultural heritage site, colonial water bird breeding site, and a diverse habitat for many other native species of flora and fauna.

The tour will be led by Environmental Consultants, Dan Hutton, and John Conallin and will include a visit to two significant sites in the area where they will examine the ecological responses of environmental watering. They will be comparing the Pollack Wetland, which has received environmental watering, to Smokehouse Lagoon in Koondrook Perricoota Forest that has not received significant structured environmental water. 

Dan and John will discuss plans and aspirations for the future as well as the opportunities that exist.

The tour will also include insight into local indigenous heritage and significance, local flora and fauna, as well as a demonstration on native fish. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions throughout the day. Speaking of his experience from last year’s Pollack tour, local landholder and businessman Lloyd Polkinghorne praised Dan for his “passion of our [local] environment, cultural heritage, landholder engagement and his straightforward approach.”

Lunch and a bus will be provided. The tour will run from 9:30am – 2:45pm with attendees to meet at Murray Connect, 27 Thule Street, Barham.

To register for the tour, visit the WMLIG website www.westernmurraylig.org/upcoming-events. There are limited tickets available and bookings are essential by Thursday 17th December. Help to book a ticket online is available by calling 03 5453 1577.

All attendees are required to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes and can choose to wade in shallow flooded areas. It is also advised to bring along a hat and sunscreen.