Alasdair Stratton, who has over 20 years experience in managing pest animals and plants and worked as the Shoalhaven Bushcare Coordinator for Shoalhaven City Council previously, has taken on the role.

"Currently we have volunteers working on private land from Berry to Wandandian, and we are keen to expand the program further south, especially in areas affected by last summer's bushfires." Team Leader Peter Jirgens said

The devastating "Black Summer" bushfires burnt 499,621 hectares (80 per cent) of the Shoalhaven.

Foxes and other feral predators such as feral cats will now have an even greater impact on the surviving and recovering wildlife populations across the Shoalhaven.

Foxes are Australia's number one introduced predator threatening the long-term survival of native wildlife and many threatened species.

"Every night in Australia it is estimated that well over 1 million native animals are killed by foxes and feral cats. Australia's native wildlife are under more pressure now, than ever, and time is running out." Mr Jirgens said

It is estimated that foxes cause $227 million per annum in damage to Australia's agriculture sector and the environment.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service has estimated that there are approximately 10,000 foxes in the Shoalhaven.

While the service undertakes annual fox control programs across its parks and with the Shorebird Recovery Program, there was little to no coordinated fox control program on private land.

The Shoalhaven Fox Control Program, was initiated by the Shoalhaven Landcare Association, and commenced in August 2018.

The aim of the program is to establish a cost effective fox control program on private land to complement similar programs being undertaken on public lands.

"The program has been a great success," Ron Cowlishaw, Southern Shoalhaven Team Leader said.

"Since the program's inception in 2018, 216 foxes have been shot, 662 baits taken and 17 foxes trapped." he added.

"We initially started north of the Shoalhaven River, but have now expanded south to Wandandian.

"We are keen to keep expanding southward to Milton and westward to Burrier but we need volunteers and property owners to get on board."

"If you have a couple of hours spare a week and would like to volunteer we would like to hear from you.

"No prior experience is required, as training will be provided for roles such as maintaining control stations, monitoring traps or sensor camera are also required.

"We also need property owners in the Shoalhaven and who would like fox control undertaken on their property."

Please contact us via the Shoalhaven Landcare Association website at www.shoalhavenlandcare.org.au or call Ron Cowlishaw 0411261550.