June 2005 - Tyto Wetlands Open Day

Not many people can claim to have designed and built a 35 hectare lagoon in their own backyard; that has become home to more than 160 bird species including the endangered Eastern Grass Owl - all in just 3 years!

22 June 2005

The ‘WILD detective’ reveals Tyto’s secrets at Open Day.

Not many people can claim to have designed and built a 35 hectare lagoon in their own ‘backyard’ that has become home to more than 160  bird species including the endangered Eastern Grass Owl - all in just 3 years!

At the Tyto Wetlands Community Open Day on Sunday 10 July, Queensland’s ‘WILD detective’ and local naturalist  John Young, will explain how community support, hard work and meticulous planning built one of most successful  man- made wetland habitats in the world.

‘The Tyto Wetlands Open Day will give the community a chance to come and see how the 100hectare property was planned around the needs of wildlife yet taking in the concerns and wants of the local community at the same time,’ Mr Young said.  

‘It’s a place we can all be proud of – a place to picnic, go walking and even to  see the rare Grass Owl from the observation deck as it flies out at dusk, ‘ he said.

The Tyto Wetlands Open Day is free and open to all. John Young will lead tours to explain how every bend in the waterways, lagoon, individual patch of special grasses, clump of trees, hill, island and walking track were meticulously planned before building began.  Works involved the eradication and control of introduced weed and tree species, replanting of naturally occurring vegetation, and the re-establishment of permanent lagoons.

The project now aims to conserve an ecosystem for species like grass owls and crimson finches, as well as provide an educational resource for the community in promoting an environmentally significant link between rural and urban communities.

For further information:
Iain McIndoe, John Young Wildlife Enterprises
ph: (07)3870 4308 or 0409 347 150