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Fauna surveys
Zoologist Ronda J.
Green, BSc(Hons), PhD has had extensive experience
in
ecological
research and fauna surveys in south-eastern
Queensland and other
areas of Australia. Her son Darren has been assisting
since his
childhood and a proficient amateur naturalist and handler
of animals.
Working as a team they can:- produce a list of mammals, birds, reptiles,
frog and
other fauna of a given site (given constraints of time
available for
data collection)
- habitats and seasons within a site or between sites
- provide a detailed report with interpretation of the ecological roles, species interactions and conservation implications of what has been found
- offer advice on on-going management, development
restrictions or
modifications, habitat enhancement, monitoring, nature
interpretation
or further
investigations
We recommend wherever possible at least two visits of at least four days each for most projects, to catch differences between seasons and to increase chances of observing inconspicuous species
Conservation management and other environmental consultancies
- General
environmental impact assessment of a site (which may
or may not include
a fauna survey as
outlined above)
- Providing advice as to whether certain developments are compatible with biodiversity conservation and whether any threatened species or communities are involved
- Assessment
of nature interpretation possibilities of a site to
be used for
ecotourism
Nature Interpretation products/services (computer programs, videos, signs, written materials)
Denis
Green
has
written a bird call quiz which has proved very popular
at the Lamington
Natural History Association's Information Centre at
Binna Burra (at the
edge of Lamington National Park). Ronda wrote an
extensive natural
history information program for the same computer,
using photos taken
by herself, Darren Green and
Lesley Hutley
(former LNHA president)
Ronda Green has designed a number of nature trails and published 'Guidelines to the Preparation of Nature Trails through the Australian Conservation Foundation. She has had long experience in nature interpretation for all ages, and is currently expanding the displays in the Scenic Rim Wildlife Ecology Centre and associated nature trails on the Araucaria property
We are available for consultation on the development of interpretive materials, including nature trails and computer programs
Ronda Green has designed a number of nature trails and published 'Guidelines to the Preparation of Nature Trails through the Australian Conservation Foundation. She has had long experience in nature interpretation for all ages, and is currently expanding the displays in the Scenic Rim Wildlife Ecology Centre and associated nature trails on the Araucaria property
We are available for consultation on the development of interpretive materials, including nature trails and computer programs
Musical
composition
and
performance
Darren
Green showed
talent for music at an early age when we got our first
piano and at age
three, barely able to see above the keyboard, he started
working out
not just simple melodies but quite complex
ones. He has
played violin,
guitar and recorder but his favourite instrument is the
piano, on which
he writes many of his own compositions. He also composes
on an
electronic keyboard (solar-powered of course) and an
Apple computer. He
has studied musical composition at tertiary level and
gets something
akin to withdrawal symptoms if away from a piano for
more than a couple
of days. He now performs his
own
compositions in various public venues.
He is available for performances and for consultation on possibilities for composing music for videos (especially nature videos), games and other projects.
He is available for performances and for consultation on possibilities for composing music for videos (especially nature videos), games and other projects.
Conservation and animal welfare principles
We have on occasion
been asked by developers to 'please don't find anything'
on the
properties they wish to develop. We ignore these pleas,
and do the job
we are actually employed to do - to objectively assess
the fauna and
flora and what impacts any proposed development might
have on it.
We believe that this also works to the advantage of the
developer when
we do not find any pressing reasons for halting or
modifying the
development - by establishing a reputation for honesty
in reporting, a
'go-ahead' by us means more than it would from agents
who willingly
comply with requests to 'go soft' on the developers.
To do an adequate job that really means something, we recommend a minimum of two surveys, the first starting six months prior to the time the environmental impact assessment is required. This allows us to look at what animals are present in at least two seasons. All too often the ecologists are called in when only a few weeks are still available, whereas the planning has been in process for months or years, with consultation with engineers and others proceeding well beforehand. A serious assessment of ecological processes and species presence should also begin in the early stages.
See also wildlife conservation and wildlife conservation and tourism
We have official ethics clearance from Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries, and abide by all recommendations to ensure that any impacts on the animals we capture or otherwise encounter in our surveys are minimised. We would prefer to forgo an identification than to harm or destroy and animal in an attempt to record it. We are mindful that animals sitting in traps waiting for us to check and release them are necessarily under some stress, and we attempt to minimise this by providing. leaf litter and other natural material within the trap, insulating the trap by further leaf litter and bark placed on and around it to shield it from cold at night and sun in the early mornings, and a small food reward beyond that sufficient to initial attraction to make up for the animal being unable to carry out its normal foraging activities through the night. We always check the traps and release animals as soon as possible after dawn. Handling is gentle (with restraint just firm enough to avoid being bitten) and kept to the minimum necessary for identification.
See also animal welfare
To do an adequate job that really means something, we recommend a minimum of two surveys, the first starting six months prior to the time the environmental impact assessment is required. This allows us to look at what animals are present in at least two seasons. All too often the ecologists are called in when only a few weeks are still available, whereas the planning has been in process for months or years, with consultation with engineers and others proceeding well beforehand. A serious assessment of ecological processes and species presence should also begin in the early stages.
See also wildlife conservation and wildlife conservation and tourism
We have official ethics clearance from Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries, and abide by all recommendations to ensure that any impacts on the animals we capture or otherwise encounter in our surveys are minimised. We would prefer to forgo an identification than to harm or destroy and animal in an attempt to record it. We are mindful that animals sitting in traps waiting for us to check and release them are necessarily under some stress, and we attempt to minimise this by providing. leaf litter and other natural material within the trap, insulating the trap by further leaf litter and bark placed on and around it to shield it from cold at night and sun in the early mornings, and a small food reward beyond that sufficient to initial attraction to make up for the animal being unable to carry out its normal foraging activities through the night. We always check the traps and release animals as soon as possible after dawn. Handling is gentle (with restraint just firm enough to avoid being bitten) and kept to the minimum necessary for identification.
See also animal welfare
Previous consultancies
- various fauna surveys, workshops and other consultancies through Sci-Plan
- preparation of interpretive computer programs for the Lamington Natural History Association (Binna Burra) and Lillydale Host Farm
- survey of various properties for Scenic Rim Regional Council and Logan City Council of properties about to undergo voluntary vegetation conservation covenants
- fauna
surveys
of
various development sites and natural habitat adjacent
to development
sites for the former Pine Rivers Shire Council (now
incorporate into Moreton
Bay Regional Council)
- fauna
survey
of
various
sites
of Russell
Island Wetlands (Moreton Bay)
for a local conservation group
- fauna survey of Aboriginal-owned property at Mt Barney for Yugambeh Land Enterprises Ltd.
- various
other fauna surveys and environmental impact
assessments
- musical performances by Darren Green at various venues in the Scenic Rim
Rates
Our prices vary with the job and the client, e.g.- Fauna
surveys:
- For
large corporations we
generally charge $660.00 per
day (including GST and reasonable travel),
- for
local government and small businesses $440,
and
- for conservation groups and other non-profit $275 (other by negotiation, or barter - e.g. assist with some of our weed removal).
If more than 40km
from home or from Brisbane, we may require transport
and budget
accommodation fees in addition to the above, but are
also willing to
camp on or near some properties, with permission.
Accommodation (or
camping) cuts down travelling time and costs. Also,
when we set mammal
traps we need to be reasonably close, not only to
check traps as soon
as possible after dawn but to quickly remove
them if conditions
suddenly change (e.g.prediction of flash flooding or
bushfires).
- Darren's musical performance: $330.00 for the evening (negotiable for non-profit groups).