Volcano Dreaming • Exhibition

Now showing at Ballarat Library: Volcano Dreaming, an exhibition by Inherit Earth.

This exhibition is designed to bring attention to the precarious existence of one of the world’s most endangered ecosystems, the wildflower grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic Plains that stretch from Melbourne’s west across most of southern Victoria almost to South Australia. Despite the relatively large area, less than 5% remains.

Since the arrival of Europeans in the early 19th century, this natural landscape has been transformed dramatically, extinguishing much of the original flora and fauna (plants and animals) that existed there. Some plants and animals of the Victorian Volcanic Plains have been driven to extinction, while many more are at risk of extinction or have been displaced or restricted to small pockets.

Efforts are being made to study, protect and restore this ecosystem, however more is needed to ensure its survival and recovery to resilient levels. Sadly, continued fragmentation, clearing and land-use change is further reducing its population. Without a resilient wildflower grasslands ecosystem, we are at risk of losing it, and the flora and fauna species that rely on it, including humans.

Wildlife 40 Fauna Checklist

While in the library, pick up a copy of the Indigenous Wildlife 40 Fauna Checklist and see how many you can spot in the Volcano Dreaming panels.

Bring the checklist on your next nature walk and keep an eye out for some of these residents in your own backyard or local park!