The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) has announced the launch of a new program to create a more butterfly-friendly metropolitan South Australia as part of Adelaide’s push to become a National Park City.
DEW said Green Adelaide would lead the program and work closely with partners and butterfly experts for a range of threatened butterfly species.
Minister for Environment and Water, David Speirs said that as a result of Adelaide’s urban development, threatened species including the yellowish sedge-skipper; coast bitter-bush blue; and chequered copper butterfly needed a habitat boost to protect their populations.
“Butterflies are native pollinators and an essential building block of a healthy environment,” Mr Speirs said, “but several species are under pressure due to urban sprawl.”
“This new program will create a more butterfly-friendly city by working with key experts to prioritise areas to plant more butterfly-friendly habitat, as well as boost awareness of these insects that spread happiness for children and adults alike,” he said.
Mr Speirs said the program, together with the scoping study to reintroduce platypus back to the River Torrens, was part of Adelaide’s drive to become the next National Park City.
“Adelaide has just been ranked the most liveable city in Australia and third most liveable city in the world and projects like these will help further enhance this reputation,” the Minister said.
Presiding Member of the Green Adelaide Board, Chris Daniels said butterflies were special native pollinators and an essential building block of a healthy environment.
“This program will focus on raising awareness about Adelaide’s threatened butterflies and delivering more targeted management activities such as plantings to support the recovery of these rarer butterflies living across metropolitan Adelaide,” Professor Daniels said.
More information on the campaign to make Adelaide a National Park City can be found at this PS News link.
