Field and Game Australia - Accomplishments

Accomplishments

From 1963 to 1965, the VFGA vigorously opposed a proposal by the Victorian Government to drain the Hirds and Johnsons Wetlands near Keran. Subsequent to their political victory, the organisation has worked to preserve these wetlands.

In 1978, the VFGA won the Victorian Conservation Prize for "the defence of Victoria’s wetlands, the preservation of wildlife habitat and development of public awareness". The prize is awarded annually to an organisation who has shown outstanding contributions to conservation over the previous five years. The prize was awarded by the Minister for Conservation, but since the 1980s that prize has been replaced by LandCare Awards.

Research by the VFGA in Victoria during 1992–1993 showed that lead levels in Black Duck at Lake Buloke had reached internationally recognised levels dangerous to waterfowl (waterfowl ingest lead pellets with gravel - the gravel aid their digestion of food). This prompted the VFGA to work with government and take a lead role the phase-out of lead shot for waterfowl hunting, which was completed in 2002.

In 2001, FGA founded the Wetland Environmental Taskforce Public Fund (WET) to raise money to protect wetlands. WET has purchased the remaining Heart Morass wetlands from a private farm. Much of the wetland had been drained to create pastures. WET's purchase of the Heart Morass will protect it.