Wild deer are creating havoc on the University of Wollongong’s latest environmental project. Up to 50 deer have been seen in the recently constructed frog ponds at the foothills of Mount Keira. The University of Wollongong built the ponds to improve the biodiversity of the Illawarra area. The university is installing fencing around the ponds to stop the deer from destroying the habitat. Landscape Supervisor Mark Spence said the deer are creating unfavourable conditions for frogs and tadpoles by stirring up the water. “When we can isolate the ponds from the deer and plant it up, it’s only going to…
Author: Sarah Mourtos
National Science Week has prompted the senior Illawarra community to reconnect with their heritage. Despite most Science Week activities being aimed at school children, the Ghost of Courtney Puckey tour proved popular with older members of the community. The theatrical walks through Puckey’s Estate in North Wollongong explored the life of Courtney Puckey and his obsession with salt-making. Many tour-goers had connections to the Puckey family or their estate. “We have had older people that could tell us things about the Puckeys because they knew them,”Wollongong Botanic Gardens Education Officer Michael Connor said. Mr Connor created the program and transformed…