The Threatened Species Commissioner has announced that 100 threatened species are to be under priority focus over the next five years to receive recovery actions along with $10 million in community grants for on ground activities.
The Commissioner, Sally Box said the 100 species would be the focus of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s (DAWE) first five-year Action Plan under its 10-year Threatened Species Strategy.
Commissioner Box said the list included plants and animals from across Australia’s terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments.
“Following a structured prioritisation process, these 100 species strike a balance between species at high risk of extinction, species whose inclusion will provide benefits to many others and species with high cultural significance,” Commissioner Box said.
“Some species have carried over from the previous Strategy and many are new,” she said.
“It will be exciting getting to know them all better over the next five years as the Australian Government and partners focus efforts on their recovery.”
Commissioner Box said it was important to remember that all nationally listed threatened species would continue to be protected by DAWE and should benefit from other elements of its Threatened Species Strategy.
Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley said extensive consultation with scientists, community groups, Traditional Owners and other stakeholders helped to identify the priority species.
Ms Ley said the priority species list would drive recovery actions for an array of plants and animals, including the Quokka; Green Sea Turtle; the Australian Sea Lion; the Greater Bilby; the Koala; and the Orange-Bellied Parrot.
“This is about halting and reversing historic declines and establishing the ways we can live together with our native species,” Ms Ley said.
A two-page list of the Commissioner’s 100 priority species can be accessed at this PS News link.
