All Creatures Great and Small:
Linda Dennis was awarded as runner up in the 2006 Serventy Conservation
Medal for her work to educate the public about native wildlife.
Photo: Steve Gosch

Article Text:

By Ben Brennan

A love of animals from raptors to macropods has earned a local wildlife educator recognition in one of the country's foremost conservation awards.

Linda Dennis of Fourth Crossing received the runner up award in the 2006 Serventy Conservation medal in recognition of her work to educate the public about proper care of native wildlife.

Runners up are not usually recognised however Linda received the award due to the high number of nominees and the quality of their work.

Linda came second in a field of 150 nominees and says she was very happy to be recognised.

"It's a really prestigious award, it's usually given to some really high profile people," she said

She says she was surprised to discover she would be presented with the award in the company of people like Gardening Australia's Peter Cundall and minister for the environment Bob Debus.

Her work over the last seven years has been focussed on educating people about the best ways to look after injured wildlife so they may be rehabilitated to return to the wild.

"It is so rewarding to teach people so they know enough to stop and check on a kangaroo by the side of the road and to be able to look after a joey if they find one,"

"I think they recognised me because I've stepped outside the square to educate the public."

Linda has also established Fourth Crossing as a refuge for native wildlife including, kangaroos, echidnas, platypuses and even eagles.

She also received the first ever high distinction in Wildlife husbandry and rehabilitation at the University of Victoria.