Last week, the Australian Government released its list of 100 priority species as part of the 2021-2031 Threatened Species Strategy. Despite there being more than 1,800 species listed under the EPBC Act as being either Critically Endangered or Vulnerable, the list of 100 were selected to help focus the efforts of the Australian Government and their partners on threatened species recovery action.
Spotlight On The Wheatbelt
The Wheatbelt is home to eight of the 100 birds, mammals, fish, frogs, reptiles, invertebrates and plants listed:
- Australasian Bittern
- Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo
- Malleefowl
- Chuditch, Western Quoll
- Greater Bilby
- Numbat
- Wongan Eriostemon
Community Is Key
The list has kick-started a grant application process to access $10million worth of funding. Grants are open to community groups to undertake activities that enhance, rehabilitate, recover and restore these species and their habitats.
The Australian Government is relying on local knowledge and community-based solutions to help achieve targets and realise threatened species recovery.
In a released statement the Federal Environment Minister, Sussan Ley, said, “I am highlighting the importance of local communities being a part of a strategy that is supported by our investments through the more than $1 billion National Landcare Program, our $149 million commitment to the National Environmental Science Program [and] our $200 million bushfire recovery funding.”
Want To Get Involved?
We’re currently seeking Expressions Of Interest from Wheatbelt community members who would like to support conservation efforts. Anyone wanting to join us in improving the trajectory of our priority species can complete the form below and one of our team members will get in touch.
Alternatively, contact Rowan Hegglun on 9670 3100 or rhegglun@wheatbeltnrm.org.au to have a chat.
This Wheatbelt NRM project is supported through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.