Lismore Primary School students visited the Mount Rothwell Biodiversity Interpretation Centre last week thanks to a Corangamite Shire Environment Support Fund grant and the Lismore Land Protection Group.
Mount Rothwell Biodiversity Interpretation Centre is a 400 hectare property which has been established for the management of high conservation value flora and fauna species, which involves breeding and research programs. It is the largest predator free ecosystem in Victoria, with the entire property enclosed by an eleven kilometre electrified predator proof fence which protects native species from predators including foxes and feral cats.
Eastern Barred Bandicoots, Rufous Bettongs and Brush tailed Rock Wallabies are among the species that roam free at the property which is located north of the You Yangs.
Lismore Landcare Coordinator Karen O'Keefe said that one of the highlights of the day was the Lismore students having the opportunity to have close encounters with several native species including a young Eastern Quoll, also commonly called the Native Cat. This species is now extinct from the mainland and once inhabited eastern Australia including the Lismore district.