Shell EcoVolunteers unveils environmental initiative in Geelong

Frogs are thought to be strong indicators of environmental health, and over the past 15 years approximately thirty species of Australian frogs have become extinct.

Enhanced resilience of frogs point to two critical factors: Re-established habitat and improved water quality.

The Shell EcoVolunteers initiative aims to increase the quality and extent of Southern Bell Frog habitat on the Barwon River by 2012. This will be done through identifying opportunities to create and remedy a series of wetlands along the river edge by combining stormwater filtration ponds with wetland expansion along the popular north bank river trails.

Commenting on the initiative, Russell Caplan, Chairman of Shell said: “Shell EcoVolunteers (Geelong) is an important environmental initiative for Conservation Volunteers Australia and Shell. We are pleased to be actively supporting local communities with initiatives that will help the environment.

“The Geelong initiative is part of the national Shell EcoVolunteers programme designed to build a pathway for people and communities to get involved at a practical level, as well as to increase their understanding of the impacts of climate change,” Mr Caplan continued.

Shell EcoVolunteers (Geelong) will be involved in three major projects along the Barwon River, including:

• Reinstating five separate wetland habitats suitable for Southern Bell Frogs;
• Establishing a stormwater treatment wetland and Southern Bell Frog habitat at a high profile location along the river trail; and
• Creating community awareness of the Southern Bell Frog as a resident icon of the river and a species sensitive to urban catchment impacts.

“By getting involved in practical on-ground activities that build the eco-resilience of targeted species and eco-systems, we as individuals and communities can help maintain Australia’s rich biodiversity,” Gerry Morvell, Chairman Conservation Volunteers Australia said.

In Geelong, local volunteers and hundreds of local school students will have the opportunity to participate in a year-round programme of activity along the Barwon River.

Supporting the initiative, Member for Corio, Mr Richard Marles said, “I congratulate Conservation Volunteers Australia and Shell on this initiative, which is an important step forward in protecting Geelong’s and Australia’s biodiversity against the effects of climate change.”

Shell EcoVolunteers, a three year programme, already has over 100 dedicated volunteers registered.

They will soon be joined by Shell employees across Australia.

Shell EcoVolunteers will be involved in additional flagship projects, including:

• Protecting critical nesting habitats for the Australian flatback marine turtle in WA;
• Expanding the habitat for upland tropical rainforest flora and fauna in QLD.

Shell EcoVolunteers is the latest initiative arising from the 20-year association between Shell and Conservation Volunteers Australia and will involve a financial investment from Shell of more than $1 million over three years.

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