Lower Sullivans Creek Catchment Ecological Survey

In 2002, the Australian National University (ANU) initiated the Lower Sullivans Creek Catchment Ecological Survey to learn more about the fauna of the urban sub-catchment and the role of urban landscapes in providing habitat for local species. 

To capture sinks and sources of local biodiversity, the University formed a partnership with the ACT Government, the Australian National Botanical Gardens (ANBG), CSIRO, National Museum of Australia, National Capital Authority, and the Sullivans Creek Catchment Group. 

The survey, Australia’s first comprehensive ecological survey of an urban study site, involved over 400 community members, field naturalists, students, staff of partner organisations, Scouts, Work for the Dole and Greencorps members in surveying birds, mammals, frogs, reptiles and invertebrates over an 18 month period.

To increase community awareness of urban biodiversity, funding was sought from the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust in 2003.  Receipt of this funding in 2005 enabled the analysis of data collected and the extension of the project to include a major community education focus, titled Life in the Suburbs.

The Life in the Suburbs project aims to:

• present the findings of the Lower Sullivans Creek Catchment Ecological Survey (link to http://www.lifeinthesuburbs.net.au/category.php?id=65),
• develop guidelines for urban habitat in the ACT, (link to http://www.lifeinthesuburbs.net.au/category.php?id=66)
• increase community access to resources, volunteer activities and initiatives relevant to the ACT (link to http://www.lifeinthesuburbs.net.au/category.php?id=68) , and
• develop a species database to allow community members to identify locally occurring species and learn about their ecology.

The project is due for completion in 2007.