Update from Mary Lou Simpson OAM
Ediacaran Fossil named in Honour of Professor Jim Gehling AO
A newly described species from the Park has been named after the one and only Jim Gehling: Tribrachidium gehlingi.
As the genus name implies, this organism had three ‘arms’, but the new species is distinguished from the original Tribrachidium heraldicum in several ways – having three additional shorter arms and a smooth rim that surrounds the body.
It is so important and pleasing indeed to have Jim’s long-term efforts and achievements with Ediacara Biota given such apt and well-deserved recognition.
News from the Nilpena Ediacara National Park
Tourism Development
Our busy Park Ranger Kym Geue reports a great start to the NENP tourist season following re-opening on March 15.
Two new casual guides have been recruited to help conduct tours. They are Dylan Ferguson – who brings a wealth of local knowledge, not only on the Ediacara Biota but also local flora, fauna and cultural history – and Jimmy Neville, who is Adnyamathanha and formerly a cultural guide at Wilpena for many years, who knows the country intimately.
A bus has been hired for the season. It handles the conditions well and makes for comfortable visitor sightseeing experience. So far the Park has welcomed more than 300 people – and we can report that feedback has been excellent. One person was impressed enough to sponsor the stabilisation of a fossil bed (well done you!) and a recent influential visitor was SA Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison.
Infrastructure
The Woolshed upgrade is on track with more stonework restoration on the western gable end scheduled for June/July. In April the entry road was upgraded with better drainage and limestone capping to give it an all-weather surface. A new toilet block is under construction adjacent to the Blacksmith’s Shop Visitor Centre and will help cater for expected larger groups.
How can you contribute to the work of the Foundation?
We greatly value your continued support of our endeavours to revitalise the historic pastoral buildings of the Park, stabilise the fossil beds and support our Education and Outreach projects.
The Foundation’s partner, the Department for Environment and Water, has asked us to raise the following amounts for the financial years 2024 – 2025.
Preserving the historic Woolshed: $100,000.
Importantly, we have already secured $58,500 towards this goal.
Supporting the Blacksmith’s Shop and Educational Outreach: $135,000
Planned improvements include an extra stone bench, capped with fossils, for public access, $20,000.
An improved Welcome to Country and multilingual interpretation, $40,000.
The production of a portable iPad game that is educational and engaging – mainly for young people but for all generations, $75,000.
Improving the Shearer’s Quarters, $50,000.
Our much valued, hard-working researchers deserve to enjoy the benefits of upgraded amenities.
Supporting Fossil Bed Stabilisation
Nowhere else on the planet provides such a special opportunity to guarantee the long-term future of iconic fossil beds. Each has specific $ amounts required for stabilisation. Through your welcome contributions, 12 of the 40 excavated beds have so far benefited from funding. Plaques acknowledging donor support at five fully stabilised beds are scheduled for installation, beginning in June.
Supporting Fossil Rock, $70,000
As announced in your Update from the Chair last December, a very exciting project for children is the creation of a “Fossil Rock” video for 5 – 7 year olds. The Foundation is right behind this project and has already raised $40,000 from donors who responded to the December Update. Thank you to those donors.
Information sheets for all projects requiring financial support are attached.
We are also hoping to secure some funding from government grants and private philanthropic groups, but do ask you to consider making a donation of any size.
Let us know if you would like your donation to be directed to a specific project.
Take pride in being part of Nilpena Ediacara National Park ‘s projects that form the keystone of the government’s bid for parts of the Flinders Ranges to receive World Heritage Listing.
For more information head to our visit page here.
