Today, Minister for the Environment Rebecca Vassarotti has welcomed a report by the World Wildlife Fund showing that the ACT ranks second in Australia for protecting tree habitat.
As part of the World Wildlife Fund’s Two Billion Trees project, each state and territory has received a Trees Scorecard outlining the current state of its forests and woodlands, performance against key pressures and opportunities for improvement.
Minister for the Environment Rebecca Vassarotti said the second-place ranking reflects clear policy choices to maintain and improve native vegetation and biodiversity in the ACT.
“We are in the middle of an extinction crisis, and we have a responsibility to protect our ecosystems and native wildlife,” Minister Vassarotti said.
“Over recent years, we have made great strides in enhancing protection and growth for our local tree population in the ACT.
“A major contributor to our high ranking is the Government’s ban on native forest logging, and our commitment to urban tree infill targets. Now we need the rest of the country to get on board.
“As the world continues down a path of climate destruction, we are working to both reduce our emissions and ensure we mitigate the effects of a warming climate.
“Planting and preserving our trees in Canberra suburbs will go a long way towards protecting our community from the heat caused by long hot summers now, and into the future.
“At the same time, the protection of our trees will ensure our native wildlife continue to have access to food and shelter. This is integral to supporting these populations in the face of an increasing number of extinctions across the country “, said Minister Vassarotti.
“The loss of a single habitat or species serves as a profound warning of an impending ecological collapse unfolding worldwide. That is why, under my watch, our environment will always be protected.
“Whilst this report is a positive sign for the ACT, it also demonstrates there is more work that can be done, and we’re up for the task.”
The draft Action Plan to Prevent the Loss of Mature Native Trees in the Territory, currently being finalised following public consultation in 2022.
This plan will enable the ACT Government to implement the next stage of reforms to plant, preserve and protect trees in the territory.
