August 11: A Conservation Success Story – Alan Franks

There is a housing crisis for many hollow-dependent animals such as parrots, owls, kingfishers, some ducks, bats and antechinus as well as species of snakes, frogs and skinks. Sugar and squirrel gliders need multiple hollows to use in rotation to escape predators and prevent a build-up of parasites. Around 300 species rely on hollows that take 100 years to form. With the rate of habitat destruction, Alan and Stacey Franks’ 24 years of work for these species is very important and Alan will speak about his learnings and achievements at the next Friday Environment Forum at Noosa Parks Association.

After many years of environmental activism including being one of the team that successfully stopped the 1991 proposed dam in the upper Mary Valley, Alan stumbled upon the plight of Australia’s hollow dependent species.  He educated himself on hollow-dependent species and their housing needs, which led to establishing Hollow Log Homes in 1999. From 6 years of occasional employment as a spotter catcher which he found both educational and heartbreaking, Alan has many interesting stories and lessons.

Come along to the Friday Environment Forum on August 11th to hear what Alan has learnt over the years and gain a better understanding of hollow trees, the reliant species and what we can do to help.

  Everyone is welcome at the NPA Environment Centre, 5 Wallace Drive, Noosaville. The forum starts at 10:30 am and morning tea is available at 10-10.25 am. Entry is $5 by “tap & go” at the door which includes morning tea/coffee.  

 Join the bird observers at 8.30 am in the carpark for interpretive birding.