2023-06-06
The community and key environmental organisations are asking the ACT Government to protect the Ainslie Grasslands, known as the Ainslie Volcanics site as part of the Mount Ainslie Reserve.
“Today I tabled a community petition in the Legislative Assembly calling for nature reserve protection for the Ainslie Volcanics site,” said Jo Clay MLA, ACT Greens spokesperson for Parks and Conservation. “This petition received 581 signatures.”
“This is a really important area for our local community. It’s being managed by local volunteers working with ACT Parks and Conservation and the Molonglo Conservation Group. This petition is supported by environmental groups - the Australian Conservation Foundation Community Canberra, the Conservation Council and Friends of the Grasslands.
“The Ainslie Volcanics contains critically endangered Natural Temperate Grasslands, Box Gum Woodland and habitat for many threatened species. Australia is in an extinction crisis with over 2,000 animals, plants and ecological communities now threatened. It’s essential we protect what’s left.
“The Ainslie Volcanics is culturally significant. It’s been nominated on the ACT Heritage Register for Aboriginal heritage values. We must respect our First Nations heritage.
Ann Hare, Peter Boreham, Marianne Albury-Colless and Amy Blain, members of the Ainslie Volcanics Weeders, say “We have been working hard to preserve and manage this site, removing invasive weeds, but it is a big job and we need better protection for this area. Including this site in the Mount Ainslie Reserve will not only give it protection but also raise its profile, encouraging further support from the community and government to help restore it and ensure this vital ecosystem remains for generations to come and the cultural and environmental heritage of this area is preserved.
The petition will now be referred to the ACT Government and a Legislative Committee for response.