Keepers, youth volunteers, family and friends from Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Taronga Zoo Sydney have rolled up their sleeves, joining an army of local volunteers to plant seedlings and support BirdLife Southern NSW’s habitat restoration program for Regent Honeyeaters. 

Regent Honeyeaters are critically endangered with less than 250 birds remaining in the wild. The Capertee Valley is an important stronghold for Regent Honeyeaters providing valuable breeding habitat for the nomadic species and is internationally recognised as a Key Biodiversity Area. 

For more than three decades, volunteers have shown a remarkable commitment to protecting the local wildlife thanks to efforts from BirdLife Southern NSW to plant more than 150,000 native trees and shrubs. Taronga volunteers have joined the effort for the last 15 years. 

Taronga’s two zoos have been contributing to the Regent Honeyeater National Recovery Program since 1995 and to date, 485 Taronga-bred birds have been released and monitored in the wild. 

Taronga Western Plains Zoo Keeper Lou Todd said the time spent restoring habitat was an important way to support conservation breeding efforts: “It’s really important for us to restore this habitat for the birds we release into the wild. By planting these trees, we can ensure the released birds have food to eat and homes to live in for years to come”. 

Taronga Zoo Keeper Katie Robinson added: “Personally, I’ve been out here tree planting for 11 years. It’s a project I really love and that is very close to my heart. I find it really grounding being out in the valley, alongside the Taronga, BirdLife and broader community. Every time I’m out here I’m able to connect the work I do at Taronga back to this important habitat restoration”. 

Birdlife Southern NSW Secretary Barry Walsh said the program was important both in restoring habitat but also engaging the community to support Regent Honeyeaters: “Activities like this one encourage other to participate in rehabilitation of bushland to suit Regent Honeyeaters. It’s especially important here because unlike a lot of bird species who may like the cliffs and the foothills, Regent Honeyeaters need habitat next to rivers which is often land used for agriculture and farming”. 

For supporters of Regent Honeyeaters, the inaugural and highly anticipated Capertee Valley Bird Festival will take place from 19-21 September. Designed to captivate everyone from experienced birders to curious novices, festivalgoers will get to explore bird habitats in places not normally open to the public, increasing the chance of encounters with the Capertee Valley's 39 vulnerable and endangered bird species, including Regent Honeyeaters, Diamond Firetails, and Turquoise Parrots. 

The Regent Honeyeater planting events are funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by Central Tablelands Local Land Services, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel. Central Tablelands LLS has been supporting Regent Honeyeater projects and programs, including supporting Birdlife Southern NSW’s Habitat Restoration works since 2009 alongside other programs.

Taronga Conservation Society Australia (Taronga) is a leader in the fields of conservation, research, animal welfare, wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education. Taronga is a not-for-profit organisation with an absolute commitment to conservation and securing a shared future for wildlife and people. Taronga is the largest contributor to veterinary services in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation in NSW, and every year, 1,500 animals are admitted to the Taronga Wildlife Hospitals in Sydney and Dubbo.

BirdLife Southern NSW is a branch of BirdLife Australia and is all about bird conservation and public awareness and education. The branch advocates for birds, runs campaigns and conducts bird surveys and education programs. The branch manages projects, including the Capertee Valley Regent Honeyeater Recovery Project, Sea-EagleCAM, Cowra Woodland Birds Program and Sydney Southern Shorebirds. Visit the BirdLife Discovery Centre at the Newington Armory in Homebush, which has live camera feeds and displays.

When: Friday 19 September (from noon) to Sunday 21 September (finishes 1pm) Session Times: 

• Friday 19 September, Noon – 9:00 pm.
• Saturday 20 September, 7:00 am – 9:00 pm.
• Sunday 21 September, 7:00 am – 1:00 pm. 

Where: The festival hub is at Glen Alice Community Hall, 4045 Glen Alice Road, Glen Alice NSW 2849. Tickets: Starting from $0 (20 activities are free). $26 - $98 for evening social events and five other activities. $250 for a Birder’s Pass; a 15-hour package including three bird walks and five speaker sessions led and delivered by experts. 

For more information, head to https://caperteevalleybirdfestival.com.au