Property owners are invited to join the fight to protect a unique and threatened bird that makes its home in Dubbo's backyard.
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The malleefowl is present in the Goonoo National Park and other areas of NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, but its habitat was once much larger.
A recovery team has invited property owners to come along to a gathering of experts, researchers and enthusiasts from across the country at Dubbo to focus on strengthening the numbers of the bird listed as endangered in NSW.
The fifth National Malleefowl Forum will be held at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in September and facilitator Melanie Bannerman said registrations were now open.
"I encourage anyone in the local area who thinks they may have malleefowl on their property or who are just generally interested in the species, to come along to the forum to hear what's happening across the country and learn what you can do on your own property to protect these unique Australian birds," she said.
The forum has been held every three years, rotating between the four states with a population of the "icon of the Mallee", and 2014 is NSW's turn.
Ms Bannerman, who is also a National Malleefowl Recovery Team member, said Dubbo was a fitting host city.
"Dubbo was chosen because it has a very important malleefowl population in the Goonoo National Park only 40km away," she said.
"It is important because it is the most easterly remaining population of malleefowl in Australia.
"Dubbo also has the Taronga Western Plains Zoo, which has a malleefowl captive breeding program and excellent conference facilities."
Organisers are planning for about 120 to 140 people.
"We have a number of exciting guest speakers at the forum including Dr Walter Boles from the Australian Museum who will be providing a very interesting talk about the history of big-footed birds, or Megapodes, as well as Ian Fraser, Canberra-based naturalist, conservationist, broadcaster and author of the recently published book Australian Bird Names, which received a 2013 Whitley Award Commendation for Zoological Resource, who will present an entertaining talk about how Australian birds got their English names," Ms Bannerman said.
The forum includes a welcome and registration evening on September 12, two full days of presentations, a forum dinner and optional field trips on September 15, the final day.
Ms Bannerman said those visiting for the forum were likely to stay a few extra days and visit tourist attractions in the local area.
Registration forms are available from the National Malleefowl Recovery Team website nationalmalleefowl.com.au and should be received by August 1.