Conservation Volunteers in Karijini

18 May 2008

Rio Tinto staff and Conservation Volunteers Australia met as part of a bush fire hazard reduction project to address one of the biggest environmental threats in the North West.

WA Conservation Volunteers Manager Andrew Soltys said volunteers were vital to reduce the risk of bush fires.

“Invasive weeds fuel bush fires which destroy large areas of natural habitats,” Andrew said.

“Bush fires also create an ideal environment for weeds to flourish as they thrive in the ash and establish themselves before native plants have a chance to get their roots down,” he said.

“Many of our conservation projects would not be possible without the support of Rio Tinto and the Department of Environment and Conservation, it’s a great partnership.”

The project is part of the $1 million Future Volunteers partnership which was formed in 2006 between the Rio Tinto WA Future Fund, DEC and Conservation Volunteers Australia.

The partnership has funded two years of volunteering activities equivalent to the efforts of one person each day to assist with constructing and maintaining eco-friendly walking trails, rehabilitating dunes, collecting native seeds, constructing fences and planting trees.