Emblem of Victoria endangered

Did you know the emblem of Victoria, Australia is the Helmeted Honeyeater?

And, did you know that bird is a critically endangered species? Often nicknamed as HeHo (I didn’t know this till I went along to a volunteer event), the honeyeater is an endemic sub-species of the Yellow-tufted Honeyeater. 

As you know, I live in the Dandenong Ranges and not that far from home, in the Yarra Valley, is the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater organisation.  They are a group of volunteers working towards the protection and, hopefully, growth of the species in a protected area. The group was formed in 1989 when there was just 50 of these beautiful birds left but now, thanks to their hard work, there are around 250, as a result of re-vegetation programs and captive breeding programs. I was invited to attend an event there last year and was fortunate to see some of these birds as we walked around – I had been told that wasn’t guaranteed.

You can find out about the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater Inc group here. They are in need of Volunteers, paid Memberships, purchase of merchandise or even be involved in their planting program. Check out their website to see how you can be involved.
They are currently running a fundraiser too here.