Speaker

Tidal Marsh Restoration in the Tamar (kanamaluka) to Reconnect People, Place and Nature 

Many northern Tasmanian rivers, including the Tamar (kanamaluka) have large areas of tidal wetlands (both freshwater marshes and saltmarshes) that are an iconic part of the landscape and provide key fish habitats and carbon sinks. A considerable proportion of these wetlands have been cleared largely for agricultural purposes and are now in the crossroads with expanding infill development.

In this presentation, I outline a vision to harness the momentum of the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration in re-wilding these lost wetland areas, and in the process, reconnect people with nature in our backyards. I also provide an overview of the Saltmarsh Matters citizen science programme and how this offers an opportunity to not just monitor these ecosystems, but to also raise their profile among the local community and identify key areas for improved Landcare.

Vishnu Prahalad is a Lecturer in Physical Geography, teaching in the Master of Environmental Management and the new Master of Planning, as well as undergraduate degrees. He has been the Unit Coordinator and Lecturer for KGA514 Planning and Managing for Sustainable Systems and KGA223 Environmental Management since 2010.