Looking for something new to do in the Valley? Why not have a go at following the Endangered Species trail and find out more about our local threatened wildlife?
After a year or planning, Kangaroo Valley’s conservation group The Friends of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby has just completed installing a new trail that runs from Glenmack Caravan Park right through the village, finishing at the Pump Track.
Thirteen information stations along the route host silhouette statues of brush-tailed rock-wallabies and other local endangered species. See if you can spot a spotted-tail quoll, greater gliders, a powerful owl, a glossy black cockatoo and the elusive broad-headed snake. Signs at each station name the animal and provide a QR code pointing the way to wildlife webpages and videos.
The trail was the brainchild of local 18-year-old Adie Connor, who secured a grant of $5,000 from the Wettenhall Environment Trust to fund the initiative. Adie explains “I wanted to raise awareness of the incredible wildlife we have in the Valley, with a particular focus on our Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies. Kangaroo Valley is the species’ last southern stronghold in NSW – yet we only have around 35 left. Our Rock-wallabies can all be identified by name, so the trail signs aim to introduce some of the individual characters that call Kangaroo Valley home. Our hope is that the trail will be fun for all ages, but we have created an activity booklet specially to help the children navigate the trail.
“The Endangered Species trail is a permanent installation for both locals and tourists passing through the Valley. Kids’ activity booklets are available free of charge from Holiday Haven caravan park, Glenmack caravan park and the tourist information board in the village carpark. Families following the trail will walk from one end of the village to the other and hopefully pop into many of the local shops along the way.”
If you would like to find out more about the Endangered Species Trail, please contact Adie Connor at adie.connor@yahoo.com.au.
