Interactive Conservation Exhibit at Tumut Region Visitors Centre

A bold new conservation project spanning the three eastern states and the ACT has commenced with an innovative interactive exhibition visiting the Tumut Region Visitors Centre in southern NSW. The exhibition brings to life the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative, one of Australiaâs largest scale conservation projects.
The Initiative aims to create a conservation corridor from the Victorian Alps up to far north Queensland along the mountains and slopes along the eastern seaboard of Australia.
The exhibition incorporates a video featuring renowned naturalist - and former Burke's Backyard and ABC radio presenter - John Dengate, âwalkingâ visitors through the Great Eastern Ranges via a projection onto a 3D model on a viewing table. Dengate reveals how the Initiative works and why itâs so important to the future of Australia's native flora and fauna.
A panelled display explains the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative and includes the beautiful winning photographs from a recent national photographic competition run by Australian Traveller magazine. As visitors view these photographs of the people and places that make the Great Eastern Ranges unique, they can also listen to the photographers explain how and why they chose their image, and what it means to them.
According to Ian Pulsford, Manager of the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative, the interactive exhibition will open visitors eyes to the enormous challenges facing the environment and the large-scale response needed to help turn things around.
Pulsford explains âthe Great Eastern Ranges Initiative is all about the changing face of conservation. It's about working with private landholders, thinking big and bringing communities together to understand that to make a difference we need to act locally and understand how our efforts fit into the bigger picture.
"We also hope this exhibition will help people understand why we need to treasure the ranges. Theyâre home to more than two thirds of Australiaâs endangered and vulnerable native species and they are the catchments that provide water to over 90% of the population of eastern Australia.
The exhibition will continue at the Tumut Region Visitor Centre until September 3 and is perfect for school groups or members of the public who want to learn more about the great eastern ranges, their unique beauty and this exciting new conservation Initiative.
For more information about the exhibition call 02 6947 7025.

http://www.sydney.com/town/Tumut/Tumut_Region_Visitor_Information_Centre/info.aspx