Clarence Environment Centre Technological Enhancement Program

Jennie Oceans in the CEC office with the newly purchased equipment

Until recently, the Clarence Environment Centre (CEC) was run by volunteers and a small bush regeneration team. Pat and John Edwards have been the driving force behind the CEC’s activities, however, at the end of this financial year, they will be retiring from the committee and day-to-day running of the Centre. A succession plan has begun to ensure their legacy, experience and knowledge are available and documented for the CEC to continue to protect the Clarence Valley and its catchments.

The small team at the CEC has long fought to protect the local environment. However, there is a new urgency to protect more of their flora and fauna from the devastating effects of climate change, fire, water pollution and over-development. The outdated office computers and equipment were in need of upgrading to support the upkeep of the new website to increase the CEC’s impact and exposure and to offer the local community the opportunity to participate.

A small grant from last years NRCF’s Community Grants Program enabled the purchase of much needed equipment and increased both the education and awareness of their environmental campaigns. This also increased the employment capacity for paid and volunteer positions with a comfortable and productive workspace.

Snapped with the new camera – the endangered S. dilatatus, (common name is Brown Butterfly Orchid)

As well as office equipment, a quality camera and GoPro with chest mount and a microphone were purchased with the funding and recently, the Weed Team has taken the camera out to a new patch of ground where they are regenerating an area that has a small remnant rainforest and endangered flora such as the endangered S. dilatatus, (common name is Brown Butterfly Orchid) which they captured with the new camera.

Project coordinator Jennie Oceans has also been working on a project with the Maclean Landcare Nursery to collect and propagate the endangered Glossy Black Cockatoos feeding trees and the new laptop allowed her to take notes and complete the project in the field.

Jennie happily reports on behalf of the CEC Team, “All in all, the technology enhancement has been very much appreciated and is really starting to work its magic!”