Preventing More Extinctions

Government actions

The State and Federal Governments have taken measures to help protect our wildlife. These include:

  • Research to develop threatened species recovery plans by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, South Australian Museum, Botanic Gardens and other government bodies, in conjunction with Environment Australia.

  • Surveys. The Biological Survey of S.A. and Ocean 2000 increase our knowledge of native animal and plant communities.

  • Advice via the Endangered Species Advisory Committee and through programs such as Greening Australia and One Billion Trees projects.

  • Parks and Reserves. 21% of the State is covered by the system.

Controls

  • on maximum stocking rates in arid lands with pastoral leases subject to land degradation assessment.

  • on native vegetation clearance

  • on hunting on private land and government game reserves.

Education

through posters, leaflets, television, radio and talks to schools.

Funding of Landcare grants to private land owners, and research grants to individuals and community groups, such as the Save the Bush program and Wildlife Conservation Fund.

Assistance to non-government sanctuaries.

Encourage private sector involvement to provide funds and establish wildlife sanctuaries on private land.

Fire management, including the re-introduction of controlled fires in specific areas.

Feral Pest Control programs.

Monitoring international treaties to protect wild fauna and flora (CITES) and the Trade Records Analysis of Flora and Fauna in Commerce (TRAFFIC).

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

JOIN

A Friends of Parks group in your local area
Your local library and ask for books on endangered species.
A community group that is working to save your favourite endangered species.

SUPPORT

Political initiatives which aim to promote conservation.
Your local sanctuary.
Initiatives in your local schools.

RESPOND

  • Be an active wildlife watcher.

  • Install nesting boxes for bats, birds and possums on your property or garden. (Nesting boxes are available from St Agnes Primary School.)

  • Avoid collecting wood for fires as you will be removing habitat for native animals.

  • Choose local native plants when planning your garden or property to attract native animals.

  • Report dead wildlife to DENR or the South Australian Museum.

  • Reduce your impact on the environment by using less resources.

  • Support products where proceeds are donated to help save endangered species.

CONTACT Threatened Species Groups in S.A.:

Threatened Species Foundation
Threatened Species Network (S.A.)
Threatened Bird Network
Australian Network for Plant Conservation
Community Biodiversity Network
Marine and Coastal Community Network

OTHER GROUPS:

Australian Conservation Foundation
Bird Care and Conservation Society
Conservation Council of S.A.
Dragon Search
Ecological Society of Australia
Echidna Care
Field Naturalist Society of S.A.
Friends of the Adelaide Zoo
Friends of the Botanic Gardens
Friends of the Earth
Friends of South Australian Museum
Gould League of S.A.
Greenpeace
Mammal Club of S.A.
Natural History Society of S.A.
Nature Conservation Society of S.A.
S.A. Herpetology Society
S.A. Ornithological Association
Society for Growing Australian Plants
Trees for Life
Wilderness Society
World Wide Fund for Nature

LEARN ABOUT OUR WILDLIFE

Visit and learn from the displays of Australian animals at the South Australian Museum, Adelaide Zoo, Cleland Wildlife Park and other wildlife parks and reserves.
Use your local library to find reference books.