The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has published its fifth and final report detailing the outcomes of the Australian Government’s inaugural Threatened Species Strategy.
Australia’s Threatened Species Commissioner Dr Sally Box said the report highlights the significant progress that has been made to support and recover a range of threatened species and habitats.
“It shows that many species are better off now because of the strategy, government investment and the coordinated actions of community groups, landholders, researchers and Traditional Owners,” Dr Box said.
“We now have an established framework in place to support threatened species, and the lessons we have learned are being carried forward as part of the Australian Government’s second 10-year Threatened Species Strategy.
“Significant environmental challenges, such as the 2019/20 summer bushfires, have meant that not all of the priority species are on a better path, but for many species this strategy has been a life saver.”
The Year 5 Report details the outcomes of the strategy against its objectives to achieve the long-term goal of reversing species declines and supporting the recovery of Australia’s priority threatened plants. The Report also shows how the strategy generated significant momentum on action to mitigate the impacts of feral cats on native wildlife.
Dr Box said the analysis shows that native animal species such as the Helmeted Honeyeater and Chuditch are doing much better now because of the strategy.
“Many native plant species such as the Fleurieu Leek Orchid are also doing much better as a result of seed collection and habitat restoration projects,” Dr Box said.
“While the report outlines many success stories, not all of the very ambitious targets set in 2015 were met, and it is clear that much more still needs to be done to support a broad range of threatened species and habitats, and challenges such as feral cats, and that is our focus going forward.”
You can read more about the Threatened Species Strategy Year Five Report (and access previous reports) here: https://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/threatened-species-strategy-year-five-progress-report
