Penguin Study Group

1. Penguin Study Group • Since 1986 Earthcare has monitored the St Kilda penguin colony. A large volume of information has been collected including aspects of : • Population size • Individual growth • Breeding success • Feeding dynamics • Penguin behaviour • This is done by monitoring the colony on a fortnightly basis an hour after sunset. We inspect penguin nests, identify individual penguins, weigh and sex as many penguins as we are able to catch. • This data provides baseline information on population dynamics and can be used to identify trends and changes in this urban penguin colony. We do what we can where we are For more Information visit www.earthcarestkilda.org.au

2. Rakali Study Group Rakali are native water rats that live in both fresh and salt water environments. The rakali watch group monitors the presence, movements and diet of these animals around the Port Phillip area each fortnight. We do what we can where we are For more Information visit www.earthcarestkilda.org.au rakali.com If you would like to become a rakali researcher or Earthcaremember fill out a membership form online or contact the rakali study group on : bob_alyson@rakali.com

3. Friends of Elster Creek • The primary objectives of ‘Friends of Elster Creek’ are to: • Protect areas of habitat for indigenous flora and fauna along Elster Creek. • Generate educational opportunities for Elwood Primary School and the general public regarding biodiversity and conservation. • Reduce the amount of pollution flowing into Port Phillip Bay. • Improve the aesthetic appeal of Elster Creek. • We do this through a range of activities including: • Nest box installation • Revegetation • Pond creation • Flora and fauna surveys • Litter Collection We do what we can where we are For more Information visit www.earthcarestkilda.org.au If you would like to become a Friend of Elster Creek or become an Earthcaremember fill out a membership form online or contact Gio at giofitzpatrick@hotmail.com

4. Penguin Guides • Over spring and summer thousands of people head to the St Kilda breakwater to catch glimpse of the little penguin colony. • Penguin guides supervise public penguin viewing at the pier from dusk until around 10.00 pm.  • Penguin guide duties include: • The provision of information to visitors on the characteristics and habits of penguins, and • Minimising the impact of visitors on the colony through education about the use of camera flashes and white light torches. We do what we can where we are For more Information visit www.earthcarestkilda.org.au If you would like to become a penguin guide or Earthcaremember fill out a membership form online or contact the penguin guide coordinator on: earthcarestkilda@gmail.com

5. Foreshore and Reserve Revegetation • Earthcare St Kilda has been closely involved in the establishment and maintenance of a number of indigenous revegetation projects around the City of Port Phillip since 1987. • During the winter months, volunteers from Earthcare St Kilda spend a Sunday morning working to remove weeds and replant native species of flora at sites around the City of Port Phillip, including: • Hester Reserve, Port Melbourne • Elwood Canal • Middle Park Beach • Balaclava Rail Reserve • Canterbury Road Urban Forest • Elwood Foreshore • HR Johnson Reserve, St Kilda West • Lagoon Reserve, Port Melbourne • West Beach, St Kilda • Perc White Reserve, Port Melbourne • Rangers from the City of Port Phillip and Citywide work with Earthcare St Kilda to plan planting locations, and provide equipment and guidance on the day.  The native seedlings used are sourced from the St Kilda Indigenous Nursery Cooperative (SKINC). We do what we can where we are For more Information visit www.earthcarestkilda.org.au If you would like to become an Earthcare member then fill out a membership form online If you would like to be involved with revegetation then contact the organiser – terry.lobert@gmail.com

6. Northern Pacific Seastar Removal We do what we can where we are For more Information visit www.earthcarestkilda.org.au If you would like to assist in seastar removal or become an Earthcare member fill out a membership form online. Once a month Earthcare volunteers collect the exotic Northern Pacific Seastars. Why? • They are non native seastars, so have no predator in the bay. • Are highly successful breeders. • Eat any animal matter. • They can quickly establish a colony and eat all juvenile shellfish found in the seagrass meadows and under piers. We hold collections: • In St Kilda near the pier, where we have volunteer waders, snorkelers and divers. • Outside Brighton Baths, where snorkelers and divers are required. To collect these seastars a permit from Parks Victoria is required due to mistakes in identification. Northern Pacific seastars range in colour from yellow to purple, the tips of each arm are purple and point upwards. Because they come from cold water areas, they are very obvious in winter as the bay is at its coldest, so they come closer to shore. This is also the time they spawn. St Kilda is home to baby seastars at present.