A former taxi driver and member of the University of Adelaide's Hughes Society, the late Robert Dean Croser has bequeathed $1.1 million to establish the Bob Croser Woodland Recovery Project.
The Southern Emu-wren is currently threatened with extinction. Credit: phototrip.
A former taxi driver and member of the University of Adelaide's Hughes Society, the late Robert Dean Croser has bequeathed $1.1 million to establish the Bob Croser Woodland Recovery Project.
The project will be facilitated by the University's Environment Institute, in collaboration with South Australian community and government groups, to identity optimal locations and planting designs to support bird populations in the Mount Lofty Ranges.
Through Bob's gift, researchers and conservation workers will be able to ensure habitats created in the area are sustainable and conducive to biodiversity. An ongoing monitoring program will track the status of bird populations in the region.
"A donation of this scale makes a massive difference to the research we are able to do to help reverse the biodiversity decline in this national biodiversity hotspot on our doorstep," says Professor Andy Lowe, Director of the Environment Institute.
Bob Croser was known as 'the best cabbie in Adelaide'.
"Gaining a better understanding of the optimal habitat reconstruction for declining bird species, how to best engage community and landholders in the recovery effort, and species-specific research are all important initiatives for guiding restoration actions and monitoring the recovery of these critical but endangered species and ecosystems."
The Mount Lofty Ranges is one of only 15 national biodiversity hotspots, and due to historic clearance of 87 per cent of habitat in the region, many bird species are in serious decline.
There are 76 bird species that are threatened with extinction in the region, including the Southern Emu-wren, Hooded Robin and Bassian Thrush. The declining trends are expected to continue unless dramatic habitat restoration is undertaken.
"This donation is perfectly timed to support the ReBird the Ranges initiative, which has brought together over 20 organisations to reverse the decline of woodland birds in the Mount Lofty Ranges," says David Pearce, Coordinator of ReBird the Ranges.
"Our partners have decades of expertise in restoring habitat, yet there are still many unanswered research questions. We want our recovery projects to be informed by the latest research, so we can direct the effort and funds of our supporters in the most effective manner to maximise positive outcomes for woodland birds."
Affectionately known as 'the best cabbie in Adelaide', Bob's gift will stand as testament to his dedication to environmental stewardship while supporting the preservation and recovery of vital Australian ecosystems for future generations.
