Alexander Watts AM,

for service to conservation and the environment through advocacy roles for the preservation of endangered flora and fauna, particularly native bird species and to the development of ecotourism initiatives.

NOTICING the destruction of the habitat of native birds and animals and doing something about it has resulted in an AM awarded to Tamworth’s Russell Watts.

Mr Watts said he had worked a lot around Barraba and began to notice the destruction of habitat in the area so wanted to do something about the disappearing bird species.

“A lot of birds that were common to the area have gone now,” he said.

Bird species have long been an interest of Mr Watts and, he said, as a young man working on stations, he often asked the indigenous children what the different bird species were.

Mr Watts hails originally from Melbourne and is now dedicated to educating the communities of north-west NSW about the bird species that live in their backyards and conserving the environment to ensure the survival of native birds.

“I want to make the community aware of the environment,” he said.

“It’s really come home to me now with species numbers decreasing rapidly and people need to know that we can do something about it in our own backyards.”

Mr Watts played a leading role in establishing the bird routes of Barraba and was involved in other bird routes and accompanying brochures including those in Tamworth.

“In the first year of the bird routes of Barraba they had 800 watchers register,” he said.

“People came from all over the world with the regent honeyeater the big attraction.”

Former Barraba mayor and current Tamworth Regional councillor Shirley Close was highly complimentary of Mr Watts’ work in the region.

“For a number of years he has untiringly in a volunteer effort encouraged the conservation of our flora and fauna,” she said.

“He has brought an awareness of how important it is to look after what it is our backyard and has grown that across our region.

“It has brought a positive appreciation of what we have in our environment both locally and on an international scale and it’s all testament to his

determination.”

He is an active member of the Manilla Landcare Group, National Parks Association and Birds Australia.

Mr Watts’ is currently promoting the planting of native flowering trees in domestic gardens.