From the Quokka, Green Sea Turtle, the Australian Sea Lion, the Greater Bilby, the Koala to the Orange-Bellied Parrot, the Morrison Government has announced 100 Priority Species that will be the focus of further conservation efforts under its 10-year Threatened Species Strategy, and an immediate $10 million in community grants for on ground activities.
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said that extensive consultation with scientists, community groups, Traditional Owners and other stakeholders helped to identify the priority species.
"In prioritising 100 species through a decade long threatened species strategy, we are highlighting the importance not only of our mammals and plants but our, reptiles, insects, frogs and other freshwater and marine species," Minister Ley said.
"This is about halting and reversing historic declines and establishing the ways we can live together with our native species.
"In announcing the opening of $10 million in community grants, 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 National Environmental Science, our $200 million Bushfire recovery funding, and the $100 million being invested in Oceans Leadership.
"The expanded list will drive recovery actions for an array of plants and animals in diverse environments, from the arid deserts to the rainforests, the forests to grasslands, inland waters and seas."
The ten year threatened species strategy will be underpinned by separate five-year action plans, the first of which will be released this year to reflect the priority species list.
Grants will be available to support a wide range of actions to directly benefit the 100 priority species on the ground, including weed and pest management, feral predator control, environmental restoration and protection, off-site conservation activities, and community and citizen science programs.
