Introduction to symposium: 'Working together for ecological outcomes in the international year of cooperatives', 17/18 November 2012 PDF
Preview Introduction to symposium: 'Working together for ecological outcomes in the international year of cooperatives', 17/18 November 2012
Contributions Introduction to Symposium: 'Working together for ecological outcomes in the International Year ofCooperatives5 , 17/18 November 2012 The Editors AsanactivityintheInternationalYearofCoop- attention in terms of conservation. Although eratives, asymposium on the theme ofachiev- Victoriasfaunalemblem isatriskofextinction ingecologicaloutcomes seems afitting one. In and may ultimately rely on the support of its the area ofnatural history study and research Friends group, working conjointly with oth- it is often through the banding together of a ers oflike mind, it is an example ofhow cute number ofgroups to work in cooperation that animalsdrawattention. Bats,thesecondlargest results are obtained. We live in a world where orderofmammals, are a regular focus offield- government agencies can (or are prepared to) workbyvolunteers, andthesubjectofstudyby put only limited resources toward the study, anumberofgroups. enhancementorprotectionofthenaturalestate. The less obvious fauna such as most inverte- In this situation, there is much to be gained, brates are less attractive. Notwithstanding this therefore, through thebenefits ofcollectiveac- apparent neglect, as Yen and New show, there tion. A program ofaction that draws together have been a number of effective programs to thecoordinatedeffortsofarangeofvolunteers, ensurethesurvivalofsomeinvertebrates.These friendsgroups, public interest groups andfield have drawn on the expertise and varying time naturalist clubs, working in conjunction with availabilityofa range ofparticipants including relevant government agencies, is an effective members of the FNCV, local land managers, option. Cooperatives can work on different friendsgroups,andindividualvolunteers. frontsatthesametimeand oftenserveawider Althoughnotallofthepaperspresentedatthe range ofinterests. Many instances ofsuch ad- Symposium are reproduced in this issue, those vantages became apparent at the 2012 FNCV included here cover a wide range of subjects BiodiversitySymposium. withinthenaturalworld. Frominvertebratesto TrustforNatureworks atboth abroadbrush mammals, a single plant species to entire eco- and specific level. Ecocsystems such as the systems, on both public and private land, co- heathlands near Anglesea on Victorias south operativesofindividualsandgroupshavespent coast are protected through the acquisition of manyhoursworkingtowardmutuallydesirable substantial blocks of land containing the na- goals, and have achieved ecological outcomes. tivevegetation;atthesametime, inotherareas, Although the International Year to highlight specificplantssuchasLittlePinkSpider-orchid and acknowledge such efforts has concluded, and Fairy Lanterns are the subject ofother ex- it is anticipated that the efforts themselves will ercisesincooperativemanagement. continueinto theforeseeablefuture. In biodiversity studies, there generally, there As the Symposium amply illustrated, there is often an imbalance as to which animals are is much to begainedin natural historybyact- the focus. It is often landmark animals such ing in acooperative, concertedandcontinuing as Leadbeaters Possum that receive greater manner. 160 TheVictorian Naturalist
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