Key Strategies - Australia

© Grant Wardell-Johnson

Large-scale land clearing for wheat cultivation has imperiled many of Australia’s rare species. Salinization of the soil, the “dieback” disease, and mining have also taken their toll. Conservation in Australia’s mediterranean region involves a range of strategies, including incentives for sustainable management of private lands, invasive species management, habitat restoration and public education.

Strategies for Conservation

Conservation covenants are a promising strategy for managing private lands. These are voluntary legal conservation agreements between a landholder and a covenant organization, which provides protection for the land. Several different types of covenants are available, both through governmental and non-governmental organizations. In Western Australia, for example, the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) offers a ‘Section 16’ covenant where the landholder retains ownership but receives information to assist them with management. Another example is the Nature Conservation Covenant offered through the National Trust, which provides pastoral and wheatbelt landowners with funding for legal services so they can be informed about covenants. Other strategies include advisory programs, such as “Land for Wildlife,” and Voluntary Management Agreements where CALM conducts a property survey and offers guidance about land management. WWF Australia’s Woodland Watch raises awareness about woodland habitats and promotes “best practice” management by land stewards by offering information and setting up collaborative conservation agreements.

One of the major threats to the flora of Southwest Australia is the “dieback” disease, caused by the non-native introduced pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi. This disease has impacted thousands of hectares and a great variety of native species.  In response, government and local councils are working with industry and communities to prevent the further spread of the pathogen and promote strategies for controlling infestations. The goal is to reduce the impact of the pathogen through a coordinated effort of research, policy and best-practices education on the national, state and local levels. As part of the outreach program, the World Wildlife Fund has developed educational materials containing information on how to help prevent the spread and impact of Phytophthora. 

Strategies to counter the threat of invasive species include The National Feral Animal Control Program, which manages the impact of feral animals on the environment and agricultural production. The CALM Western Shield program controls predators through baiting practices that leave native wildlife unharmed. This program covers CALM-managed and other key areas around the state of Western Australia, while encouraging community-based baiting on private lands.

A number of non-governmental organizations are also focused on conservation issues. Greening Australia is a national non-governmental organization that works with landholders, communities, government, and business to tackle environmental degradation. Their Living Landscapes project is a community engagement and landscape planning process aimed at increasing farmer participation in conservation activities. The Gondwana Link Project is a consortium of local, regional, and national groups working to reconnect natural ecosystems across 1000 km of southwestern Australia. The Australian Wildlife Conservancy is a non-profit organization whose conservation strategies include feral animal control, fire management, removal of cattle, replanting and rehabilitation, threatened species reintroduction, and weed control. AWC currently owns and manages more land for conservation (917,000 ha) than any other non-government environment organization in Australia.

The Southwest Australia Ecoregion Initiative encourages the collaboration of communities, non-governmental organizations, research centers, business and government agencies for nature conservation within the Southwest Australia Ecoregion.  The Initiative includes: a Biodiversity Research Centre; measures to reward private land holders for conserving native vegetation; and large-scale land-use projects that focus on land purchase and property covenants, land care initiatives, and public advocacy. The Initiative also works to promote sustainable rural development and nature-based tourism across the region.

Education and Awareness

Educating the public and raising awareness about conservation issues is a key strategy at the national, regional and local levels. The federal government organizes several focus days throughout the year, such as National Threatened Species Day, to encourage greater community support and hands-on involvement in the protection of Australia's unique natural heritage. In addition, a number of events – from exhibitions and festivals to guided walks and workshops – are held across Australia to raise awareness about the plight of threatened species in Australia and to encourage participation in conservation efforts. National Tree Days encourage the planting of native shrubs and trees all across Australia. WWF Australia’s Wetland Watch raises community awareness of the need for wetland conservation. Its goal is to help landowners better manage and protect their wetlands, and encourage the adoption of long-term wetland conservation measures. 

Regional government programs like “Land for Wildlife’ have produced a range of educational materials to support their efforts. These include brochures on topics like managing granite outcrops and wandoo woodlands, and newsletters with tips on fire management, invasive species management and other practical information for land owners.