Wondrous creatures of the box-gum grassy woodlands: a colouring exploration of a diverse ecosystem, explores the threatened ecosystem of the same name. It is available for free download below.
It is the work of artist and ecologist Paula Peeters. Commissioned by Molonglo Conservation Group (MCG) and the ACT Government, with funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program, to raise awareness of this precious environment and the creatures that are its inhabitants.
Peeters visited the Molonglo Catchment to research the landscapes and species that would end up in the book. Her beautiful work depicts the most important elements of the ecosystem that need to be carefully managed and restored if we are to conserve the greatest variety of native plant and animal species.
Australia’s Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands are a plant community characterised by a canopy of large Eucalyptus trees, few mid-storey shrubs and a high diversity of plants in the ground layer with many grasses and herbs.
Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands provide habitat for a variety of mammal, bird, reptile, frog and invertebrate species. Tree hollows, fallen logs, branches and leaves, and seeding native grasses are just some of the elements that provide important microhabitats and food for fauna.
Once widespread through Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands have been extensively cleared for agriculture and modified for livestock grazing. Only small remnants, which have escaped these impacts remain in near-original condition.
Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands still face threats. By encouraging landholders and the community to manage and care for what little remains, and restoring degraded areas, we can ensure that Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands and their inhabitants survive into the future.
MCG are working with local landholders and Landcare groups to regenerate and connect remaining pockets of remnant vegetation in the Canberra region through activities like weed removal and native plantings, but raising awareness through community engagement is an equally important part of the project.
The pages in this book can be coloured in, and the key at the back will enable you to identify each species.
Wondrous creatures of the box-gum grassy woodlands: a colouring exploration of a diverse ecosystem is available for download here:
You can learn more about Paula Peeters and her work on her website.
This project is supported by the Australian Capital Territory Government, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
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