Dates: Thursday 13 November 2003
Theme: Biodiversity in the Basin
Venue: C D Blake Lecture Theatres, Charles Sturt University Thurgoona Campus, off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona, NSW.

Charles Sturt University’s Johnstone Centre for Research in Natural Resources and Society is hosting a one-day conference that will highlight recent research by staff into the state of native plants and animals in the Murray-Darling Basin. The conference will be of interest to regional land managers, conservation planners, community coordinators and everyone interested in biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management in the basin. 

The Johnstone Centre provides high-quality applied research into conservation and ecology in the Murray-Darling Basin region.

Research to be presented by CSU staff includes:

• Impact of river flows on the river environment – Dr Robyn Watts. River regulation and water diverted to irrigation have a major influence on the health of Australia’s inland rivers. Dr Watts has investigated the effects of flows on the river environment across the Murray Darling Basin, using animals and plants to assess river health.
• Birds in the long paddock - Alex Drew. Rural roadsides provide important homes for many native birds especially in agricultural areas. Mr Drew is investigating the importance of well-established roadside vegetation in western NSW on bird populations.
• Are the frogs disappearing? – Skye Wassens.  The once widespread Southern Bell Frog is disappearing from the Murray-Darling Basin. Ms Wassens is investigating the role of rice bays in providing new homes for these animals.
• Old fence posts and little critters – Damian Mitchell.  Native trees provide vital homes for many of smaller native creatures such as snakes, lizards and mammals. Mr Mitchell looks at how using old fence posts instead of fallen native timber can provide homes and refuges for these animals.
• Organic vs conventional rice farming – Dr Andrea Wilson.  Results are mixed when comparing conventional and organic rice farming. But how does biodiversity fare when these different farming methods are used? Dr Wilson investigates.
• Managing native grasses with sheep – Nicky Bruce.  In 1998, 1 200ha of the threatened northern plains grassland were added to the Terrick Terrick National Park in north-west Victoria. Ms Bruce shows ways to preserve and encourage native plants, including grasses and flowers, in the park using satellite imaging and grazing sheep.

There will also be a book launch during the conference:

• An authoritative book on current ideas and research into tour guiding and heritage interpretation in Australia will be launched at 1pm during the Biodiversity in the Basin Conference. Co-edited by CSU researcher Dr Rosemary Black and Melbourne academic Dr Betty Weiler, Interpreting The Land Down Under looks at how Australian tour guides and administrators could better explain the nation’s numerous natural, historic and cultural sites to local and overseas visitors.