Threatened Species Strategy Action Plan 2021–2026

1 Threatened Species STRATEGY ACTION PLAN 2021–2026 2 © Commonwealth of Australia 2022 Ownership of intellectual property rights Unless otherwise noted, copyright (and any other intellectual property rights) in this publication is owned by the Commonwealth of Australia (referred to as the Commonwealth). Creative Commons licence All material in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence except content supplied by third parties, logos and the Commonwealth Coat of Arms. Inquiries about the licence and any use of this document should be emailed to copyright@awe.gov.au. Cataloguing data This publication (and any material sourced from it) should be attributed as: DAWE 2022, Threatened Species Strategy Action Plan 2021 - 2026, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Canberra, February. CC BY 4.0. ISBN 978-1-76003-524-2 This publication is available at awe.gov.au/environment/ biodiversity/threatened/publications/strategy-home Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601 Telephone 1800 900 090 Disclaimer The Australian Government acting through the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has exercised due care and skill in preparing and compiling the information and data in this publication. Notwithstanding, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, its employees and advisers disclaim all liability, including liability for negligence and for any loss, damage, injury, expense or cost incurred by any person as a result of accessing, using or relying on any of the information or data in this publication to the maximum extent permitted by law. Acknowledgements Many people have contributed to the development of this first Action Plan under the Threatened Species Strategy 2021-2031. We thank all the people who contributed ideas to the conversation. In particular, we thank all who gave their time to participate in the online workshops. We also acknowledge and appreciate the detailed, constructive feedback from all who took time to consider the Action Plan consultation paper and responded to the survey. Finally, thanks to members of the Threatened Species Scientific Committee, threatened species experts, practitioners and the various officials from across the Australian Government who have supported the development of this plan. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE TRADITIONAL OWNERS OF COUNTRY throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures and to their elders past, present and future. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode mailto:copyright@awe.gov.au https://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/publications/strategy-home https://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/publications/strategy-home 1 Summary 2 Introduction 4 Overview 7 Priority species and priority places 8 AA1 Mitigating established and emerging threats 10 AA2 Conserving, restoring and improving habitat 14 AA3 Emergency preparedness and response 16 AA4 Climate change and adaptation 18 AA5 Effective conservation planning 20 AA6 Knowledge and tools 22 AA7 Forging stronger partnerships 26 AA8 Community leadership and engagement 28 Tracking progress and reporting 30 Definitions 31 Links 32 Appendix 1 Priority species 33 Appendix 2 Priority places 38 Image credits 40 2 S U M M A R Y O F A C T IO N P L A N O B J E C T IV E S A N D T A R G E T S Objective 1: By 2026, all priority species on track for improved trajectory by 2031 Objective 2: By 2026, all priority places on track for improved condition by 2031 Target 1: Implement feral cat and fox management across 100% of the important habitat for susceptible priority species, using methods identified as best-practice by 2026 Target 2: Implement feral cat and fox management in 100% of priority places where feral cats and foxes are identified as a key threat to condition, using best practice methods selected for the location by 2026 Target 3: Reduce Gamba Grass to an area less than its 2021 range by 2026 Target 4: Secure 100% of nationally listed species impacted by Myrtle Rust in insurance collections and populations by 2026 Target 5: Reduce introduction and establishment of new exotic environmental pests, weeds and diseases by 2026 Target 6: Increase the area managed for conservation by 50 million hectares by 2026 3 Target 7: Add 5 new species across the national safe haven network to improve representation of invasive predator-susceptible threatened species by 2026 Target 8: Secure at least 80% of nationally listed threatened plant species in insurance collections by 2026 Target 9: All jurisdictions and the Commonwealth improve and increase the overall inclusion of critical biodiversity assets into emergency response management and planning systems by 2026 Target 10: Actions are underway to support the resilience and adaptive capacity of 100% of priority species and places at risk from climate change impacts by 2026 Target 11: Track and publish the implementation of priority actions identified in conservation advices, recovery plans and relevant threat abatement plans for 100% of priority species by 2026 Target 12: Develop at least 5 new tools to mitigate impact of broad-scale threats on threatened species by 2026 Target 13: Establish a monitoring program to fill critical data and information gaps for 50% of priority species by 2026 Target 14: Proactively engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the preparation of 100% of EPBC Act conservation planning documents for culturally significant threatened species and ecological communities by 2026 Target 15: Partners and/or private investment will support 50% of projects that benefit priority species and priority places by 2026 Target 16: Citizen science or community groups will lead activities for 50% of priority species and places, to help increase information base and assist recovery by 2026 3 4 INTRODUCTION The Threatened Species Strategy Action Plan 2021 2026 identifies the priority species, places, actions and targets that underpin the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Strategy 2021-2031 vision. This Action Plan introduces 100 priority threatened species and 20 priority places, representing Australia’s diverse land, sea and freshwater environments. The Plan also includes specific actions, outcomes, and targets for priority species, places and output targets for each of the 8 action areas identified in the Strategy as fundamental to the recovery of threatened species. These species, places, actions and targets will be the focus of national efforts and investments from 2021 to 2026 and beyond. Actions to improve the recovery and condition of priority species and places will also benefit other threatened species and ecological communities. Actions include new and existing initiatives and policies from across the Australian Government to benefit threatened plants, animals and ecosystems and contribute to Australia meeting its national and international responsibilities. These include: • Programs that can benefit threatened species and threatened ecological communities • Policies including Australia’s Strategy for Nature 2019 2030 (which enacts Australia’s obligations under the Convention for Biological Diversity and is the overarching policy umbrella for all biodiversity related efforts), Biosecurity 2031, National Agreement on Closing the Gap • The objectives and operation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The Action Plan was developed with input from the community, land managers, scientists, conservation groups, Indigenous land and sea managers and other stakeholders. Australia’s threatened species are valued, protected and on the path to recovery 4 https://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/threatened-species-strategy-2021-2031 https://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/threatened-species-strategy-2021-2031 5 We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ continuing connection to land, sea and community, and in implementing this Action Plan, we aim to work in partnership to advance their aspirations to maintain and protect their culture and custodianship of Australia’s native plants and animals. This Plan is just the beginning. The Australian Government plays an important role to coordinate national efforts to conserve and protect our native plants and animals, but we cannot do this alone. Success relies on the collective effort and expertise contributed by partners. This Action Plan is an invitation for all Australians to collaborate on the recovery of our threatened species and places. IMPLEMENTATION Since 2014, the Australian Government has mobilised more than $660 million for projects directly supporting outcomes for threatened species and threatened ecological communities. These investments are complemented by other Australian Government environment spending, such as more than $2 billion in commitments through the National Landcare Program alone since 2014. This Action Plan will be supported by continuing and new Australian Government funding programs. • National Landcare Program • Bushfire Recovery for Wildlife and Habitat package • Koala Conservation and Protection package • Supporting Communities Manage Pest Animals and Weeds Program • Ocean Leadership package • Great Barrier Reef package • Environment Restoration Fund • National Environmental Science Program Conservation is everyone’s business and the Australian Government will support or build on contributions from other important partners working to help recover threatened species, including state and territory governments, land and sea managers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, scientists, environmental non-government organisations, businesses and community. 66 7 OVERVIEW The 5 year targets and key actions set out in this Action Plan are based on significant input from experts and the community. The objectives to improve the trajectories of 100 priority species and 20 priority places set a focus for targeted actions and reflect the Strategy’s prioritisation principles. These priorities are listed in Appendix 1 and 2. The targets ensure accountability, provide a measure for tracking progress under the Action Plan, and a common set of actions to coordinate collective efforts. They help focus action where it is needed most, where we know we can be effective, and where the greatest benefit to threatened species can be achieved. Connected and complementary in nature, each target and range of actions will help us track toward achieving the Strategy’s high-level 10 year objectives. Figure 1: How the Action Plan underpins elements of the Strategy, applying the objectives, principles and action areas (AA) to identify 5 year priorities, targets and actions. THREATENED SPECIES STRATEGY Vision Objectives Prioritisation principles Action Areas ACTION PLAN TARGETS ACTIONS REPORTING Progress, watch and act, adapt, targets 100 Priority species 20 Priority places 16 Targets D IR E C T S U P P O R T IN G AA1 Mitigating established and emerging threats AA2 Conserving, restoring and improving habitat AA3 Emergency preparedness and response AA4 Climate change adaptation and resilience AA5 Effective planning for conservation AA6 Knowledge and tools AA7 Forging stronger partnerships AA8 Community leadership and engagement 8 PRIORITY SPECIES AND PRIORITY PLACES This first 5 year Action Plan of the Strategy sets actions in motion towards meeting these objectives Objective 1: By 2026, all priority species on track for improved trajectory by 2031 Objective 2: By 2026, all priority places on track for improved condition by 2031 Why is this important? While all threatened species and natural environments are important, focusing on a limited number of priority species and priority places helps target effort and resources so that tangible outcomes can be achieved, measured and shared. A key finding from the Australian Government’s first Threatened Species Strategy – launched in 2015 – was that recovery for many species takes time, especially for species that take many years to reproduce. To get priority species and places ‘on track’ for achieving improved trajectories when the Strategy expires in 2031, this Action Plan strives to ensure that a range of activities will be underway to support each priority species and place by at least 2026. The 100 priority species and 20 priority places were carefully and strategically selected to ensure a good balance between the important prioritisation principles of extinction risk, multiple benefits, feasibility, importance to people, uniqueness and representativeness across Australia’s widely varied species, landscapes and seascapes. Improving the trajectories of these priority species and places will not only have direct benefits for the identified species and places, but should also benefit many other threatened species, ecological communities and native wildlife that share the same range or have similar threats. The Action Plan will begin by establishing baseline status and trends for each priority species and place, then guided by relevant conservation planning documents, identify key recovery actions to prioritise and finally measure and report on progress. 9 What will we do? BY 2022 Collate and publish 2021 baseline information, define measures of success, and identify key activities for all priority species, including: • population and distribution for the 2021 Strategy baseline year • habitat that is important and threats that need to be addressed for the species’ long-term survival and recovery • define for each species how we will measure whether it is successfully on track at 2026* for an improved trajectory by 2031* • key recovery actions to be supported are prioritised, guided by relevant species conservation planning documents and review of activities already underway by other partners. BY 2022 Collate and publish 2021 baseline information and identify key actions for all priority places, including: • key indicators for condition, to measure against the 2021 Strategy baseline year • habitat that is important for threatened species and threatened ecological communities and threats that need to be addressed to secure or improve this habitat • threats that need to be addressed to improve the place’s overall condition for threatened species • define for each place how we will measure whether it is successfully on track at 2026 for improved condition by 2031 • key recovery actions to be supported are prioritised, guided by existing conservation management and/or regional environmental plans and review of activities already underway by other partners. BY 2022-26 Commence or continue key recovery actions and/or build on activities underway, expanding collective recovery and threat management. BY 2026 Assess the trajectories of all priority species and condition of all priority places against the publicly available 2021/22 baselines and the measures of success. How does this fit with other work? 27 of the 100 priority species were also priority species under the first Threatened Species Strategy. Continuing to work on these species will build on previous actions and baseline information to achieve longer-term outcomes. What can you do? After the baseline assessments of each species and place are completed in 2022, information on key actions needed to improve their trajectories and condition will be shared on the Strategy home web page at: awe.gov.au/environment/ biodiversity/threatened/ publications/strategy-home. Check back regularly to stay involved. * measures could include, for example, the rate of change in population over time, and/or other measures or activities that provide a biologically meaningful indication that a species is on track to achieve an improved trajectory by 2031. https://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/publications/strategy-home https://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/publications/strategy-home https://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/publications/strategy-home https://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/publications/strategy-home 10 MITIGATING ESTABLISHED AND EMERGING THREATS Reduce the impact of feral cats, foxes, Gamba Grass, Myrtle Rust and new environmental invasives on priority species and places Target 1: Implement feral cat and fox management across 100% of the important habitat for susceptible priority species, using methods identified as best-practice by 2026 Target 2: Implement feral cat and fox management in 100% of priority places where feral cats and foxes are identified as a key threat to condition, using best practice methods selected for the location by 2026 Target 3: Reduce Gamba Grass to an area less than its 2021 range by 2026 Target 4: Secure 100% of nationally listed species impacted by Myrtle Rust in insurance collections and populations by 2026 Target 5: Reduce introduction and establishment of new exotic environmental pests, weeds and diseases by 2026 Why is this important? Across Australia, feral cats and European red foxes kill native wildlife for food and threaten more than 120 nationally listed threatened species with extinction, and through impacting the balance of fauna species, can degrade the condition of threatened ecological communities. In northern Australia, the spread of exotic Gamba Grass is threatening native plants by displacing them and threatening native animals by fuelling intense fires. On our east coast, the exotic Myrtle Rust fungus is causing death and disease in many species of Australian trees, including eucalypts, tea trees and bottle brushes. Reducing the impact of these invasive predators, plants and pathogens will support the recovery of at least 80 priority species and many more nationally listed threatened species in priority places and across the landscape. Looking ahead, reducing the risk of new exotic, invasive species potentially entering Australia will help prevent future losses of native wildlife. We need to find out more about the 168 priority exotic pests, weeds and diseases known to pose significant environmental risk and their potential impact on Australia’s threatened species and ecological communities. 1 11 MITIGATING ESTABLISHED AND EMERGING THREATS What will we do? Feral cats and foxes When Define best practice landscape-scale feral predator control for the priority species and/or locations targeted for action through to 2026. This includes locations identified within priority places and important habitat for predator-susceptible priority species. 2022 Promote best practice landscape-scale feral predator management across priority places and important habitat for predator-susceptible priority species. 2022-2026 Promote best practice management through the National Feral Cat and Fox Coordinator and Feral Cat Taskforce to coordinate consistent on-ground action. 2022-2026 Gamba Grass Develop a best practice management manual for the control of Gamba Grass and promote to land managers and governments. 2022 Promote best practice control activities to tackle the threat of Gamba Grass and other invasive grasses in priority places. 2022-2026 Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the community to take action to manage invasive grasses, through programs including Indigenous Protected Areas. 2022-2026 Work with Western Australia to eradicate Gamba Grass from the known location/s within the state. 2022-2026 Myrtle Rust Undertake a stocktake of nationally listed Myrtle Rust-affected Myrtaceae species held as specimens in seed/germplasm banks/botanical gardens, and their availability for research, recovery and restoration. 2022 Commence work with relevant groups to include missing specimens held in seed/germplasm banks/botanical gardens. 2023 Commence ex situ conservation actions, based on relevant conservation planning documents, for all nationally listed Myrtle Rust-affected species. 2022-2026 Support a national coordinated approach to addressing the risks posed by Myrtle Rust, including through community action to prevent spread and raise awareness. 2022-2026 New exotic pests, weeds and diseases Establish a 2021 baseline for annual introductions and establishment of new exotic environmental pests, weeds and diseases. 2022 In partnership with state and territory governments, industry, and the community, prioritise activities that will reduce introduction and establishment of new exotic environmental pests, weeds and diseases. 2026 ACTION AREA 1 12 How does this fit with other work? This action area builds on progress under the first Threatened Species Strategy to manage feral cats and extends to other established and emerging invasive species. It focuses on areas where Commonwealth leadership can improve landscape-scale outcomes, including complementing the work of the Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer and linking efforts between state and territory government and other environment conservation managers. This includes work to assess risks to threatened species posed by pathogens identified by the National Priority List of Exotic Environmental Pests, Weeds and Disease Implementation Plan. The assessment of the impact of invasive species and pathogens on priority species and priority places will happen in 2022, under work to establish baseline information for priority species and places for Objective 1 and 2. What can you do? As the actions listed above are completed, resources to help Australians mitigate these threats will be shared on the Strategy home web page. Check back regularly to stay involved! In the meantime, simple actions like keeping your cat inside or in a fenced cat run helps our native wildlife to thrive. You can also stop the spread of invasive plants and disease by buying seed locally, don’t buy on-line and when planning to go bushwalking, set time aside to clean your footwear and camping equipment before leaving home. Resources National Priority List of Exotic Environmental Pests, Weeds and Diseases: awe.gov.au/biosecurity trade/policy/environmental/ priority-list Approved threat abatement planning documents: awe.gov. au/environment/biodiversity/ threatened/threat-abatement plans/approved Feral cats control: awe.gov.au/ biosecurity-trade/invasive-species/ feral-animals-australia/feral-cats Best practice manual for Gamba Grass (in development) A focus on threat management where Commonwealth leadership can improve landscape-scale outcomes http://The National Priority List of Exotic Environmental Pests, Weeds and Diseases http://The National Priority List of Exotic Environmental Pests, Weeds and Diseases http://The National Priority List of Exotic Environmental Pests, Weeds and Diseases https://www.awe.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/policy/environmental/priority-list https://www.awe.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/policy/environmental/priority-list https://www.awe.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/policy/environmental/priority-list https://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/threat-abatement-plans/approved https://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/threat-abatement-plans/approved http://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/threat-abatement-plans/approved http://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/threat-abatement-plans/approved http://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/threat-abatement-plans/approved http://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/threat-abatement-plans/approved http://www.awe.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/invasive-species/feral-animals-australia/feral-cats http://www.awe.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/invasive-species/feral-animals-australia/feral-cats http://www.awe.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/invasive-species/feral-animals-australia/feral-cats 1313 14 CONSERVING, RESTORING AND IMPROVING HABITAT Increase the restoration and conservation of important habitat for priority species and places and expand Indigenous led approaches to managing threatened species Target 6: Increase the area managed for conservation by 50 million hectares by 2026 Why is this important? Habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation (such as from weeds) diminishes the area that threatened plants and animals need to survive. It has a major impact on nationally listed threatened species, including at least 70 of the priority species. Working with communities, organisations and land managers to restore and conserve habitat, including restoring connectivity where it’s beneficial, will help threatened species and threatened ecological communities to persist in the landscape and adapt to climate change. Increasing Indigenous-led land and sea management will make a significant contribution to restoring habitat and achieving healthy ecosystems and continue Traditional Owners’ custodianship of land and sea country. Existing conservation planning documents, environmental management plans and healthy country plans already in place, will guide where to take action to restore and conserve habitat. 2 15 What will we do? When Identify habitat important to the survival of priority species and identify actions required to improve this habitat, including whether habitat could be connected to improve the trajectory. 2022 Identify key actions to restore habitat in priority places where this will be a key measure of condition change using conservation planning documents and other relevant conservation management plans. 2022 Support 45 million hectares of Indigenous-led place-based planning for integrated land and sea management, such as through Indigenous Protected Areas, and activities to improve habitat for priority culturally-important species and places. 2026 Focus activities on at least 5 million hectares of important habitat for priority species and within priority places. 2026 Coordinate activities across jurisdictional and regional borders to improve habitat and connectivity where appropriate. 2022-2026 How does this fit with other work? This action area will build on existing work under the Australian Government’s Indigenous Protected Areas program and the National Landcare Program and can be supported by new measures such as the Supporting Communities Manage Pest Animals and Weeds Program and the Oceans Leadership package. This action area also complements the national environment law, the EPBC Act, by supporting activities to rehabilitate habitat and undertake landscape-scale restoration. What can you do? As the actions listed above are completed, resources to help Australians restore and rehabilitate habitat will be shared on the Strategy home web page. Check back regularly to stay involved! You can help our native species by planting your own wildlife garden with native plants, restoring the native habitat on your property, and by donating or volunteering your support to restore and maintain the patch of bushland or coast close to where you live. Find and join a ‘friends of’ group active in your community. Resources National standards for the practice of ecological restoration in Australia, Society of Ecological Restoration Australasia: seraustralasia.com/standards/ home.html Landcare Australia’s find a group: landcareaustralia.org.au/landcare get-involved/findagroup/ Habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation diminishes the area that threatened plants and animals need to survive ACTION AREA 2 https://www.seraustralasia.com/standards/home.html https://www.seraustralasia.com/standards/home.html https://landcareaustralia.org.au/landcare-get-involved/findagroup/ https://landcareaustralia.org.au/landcare-get-involved/findagroup/ 16 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE Prepare for and respond to future emergencies to protect threatened species Target 7: Add 5 new species across the national safe haven network to improve representation of invasive predator-susceptible threatened species by 2026 Target 8: Secure at least 80% of nationally listed threatened plant species in insurance collections by 2026 Target 9: All jurisdictions and the Commonwealth improve and increase the overall inclusion of critical biodiversity assets into emergency response management and planning systems by 2026 Why is this important? Catastrophic events can push species dangerously close to extinction. Being better prepared, such as through establishing insurance populations or collections, or having systems in place to respond to emergencies, can help avert extinctions. Safe havens are mainland exclosures or islands which act as arks of safety for our precious wildlife. They provide the long term protection and resources needed to recover and increase species populations, through the permanent removal and exclusion of invasive predators. Safe havens were a key component of the first Threatened Species Strategy and we want to build upon this work to protect more species in more places in a strategic way. Securing nationally listed plant species in managed populations and collections can provide some protection for these species from future natural disasters, and can complement research, recovery or restoration efforts. Emergency events, such as bushfires and disease outbreaks, can significantly impact Australia’s threatened species. We want to be better prepared going forward by reflecting upon and learning from the 2019 - 2020 Black Summer bushfires, to help improve our understanding and improve emergency response systems. 3 17 What will we do? Threatened species insurance – animals When Undertake a stocktake of threatened species susceptible to invasive predators that are not adequately represented in the national safe havens network, using the 2020 baseline list prepared for safe havens grants opportunity and other research as a reference, and identify the appropriate actions required to improve species representation. 2022 Convene a national ‘Safe Haven Network’ working group to build collaboration, coordination and focus effort on improving species representativeness in the national safe haven network during the life of the Action Plan. 2022 Undertake targeted translocations of underrepresented predator-susceptible species and relevant works to strategically establish safe havens that will improve representation across the network during the life of the Action Plan. 2026 Threatened species insurance – plants Establish a national inventory of living collections (ex situ) of EPBC Act listed plants, including records of availability of material for research, recovery and restoration to ensure we focus effort on threatened plant species that are not currently represented in insurance collections. 2023 Support research and actions that will increase the number of EPBC Act listed plant species included in insurance collections, and ensure that 30% of these species will be available to support on-ground restoration activities. 2022-2026 Emergency response Capture the actions taken and the lessons learnt from the 2019-20 bushfire response to develop a preparedness framework that can support responses to future environmental emergencies across all jurisdictions. 2022 Undertake a national stocktake of the approaches by jurisdictions to include critical assets in emergency response management and planning systems. 2022 Support Commonwealth, state and territory government efforts to identify and incorporate critical biodiversity assets into emergency response management and planning systems to guide future responses to bushfires and other extreme events. 2024 Determine the risk of different extreme events, including bushfires, impacting priority species and priority places, and build this into Australian Government decision-making and response tools. 2026 ACTION AREA 3 How does this fit with other work? This action area builds on progress under the first Threatened Species Strategy. At year 5, it was reported that 10 safe havens were established protecting 9 threatened mammal species; more than 67% of Australia’s listed threatened species were stored in seed banks; and there was increased understanding of many threatened species populations through targeted survey and monitoring. What can you do? As the actions listed above are completed, resources and information to help Australians get involved and stay up to date with our work will be shared on the Strategy home web page. Check back in regularly. Resources Bushfire recovery for wildlife and their habitat: awe.gov.au/ environment/biodiversity/ bushfire-recovery https://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/bushfire-recovery https://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/bushfire-recovery https://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/bushfire-recovery 18 CLIMATE CHANGE AND ADAPTATION Improving the resilience and adaptive capacity of priority species and places to climate change Target 10: Actions are underway to support the resilience and adaptive capacity of 100% of priority species and places at risk from climate change impacts by 2026 Why is this important? The changing climate is driving changes in species distribution and the composition and function of Australia’s ecosystems and ecological communities. Climatic shifts can exacerbate the impacts of existing pressures, such as habitat fragmentation and invasive species, on threatened species and places. Targeted actions are needed to assist our species and places to adapt to a changing climate and ensure their persistence into the future. However, there is a paucity of information on how climate change will affect many of our species and ecosystems, making it difficult to know where and how on-ground management efforts should be directed. As such, a critical first step in tackling climate change for our threatened species will be improving our understanding of how changes in climate are projected to affect threatened species and places, as well as their threats. Improving adaptive capacity of our species and places 4 18 19 What will we do? When Support relevant research to improve our understanding of how climate change will impact priority species and places, as well as the threats they face. 2022-2026 Update conservation planning documents where required to include active consideration of climate change risk. 2022-2026 Identify and undertake management activities to build resilience and/or improve adaptive capacity of priority species and places vulnerable to climate change. Actions to enhance resilience and adaptability could include restoring habitat that will be refugia in the future, re-establishing habitat corridors to help migration and addressing other threats to reduce pressures. 2026 How does this fit with other work? This action area will complement the National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy and can be supported by programs such as the National Environmental Science Program Climate Adaptation cross-cutting mission and the National Landcare Program. What can you do? As the actions listed above are completed, resources and information to help Australians get involved and stay up to date with our work will be listed on the Strategy home web page. Please check in regularly, and in the meantime scientific guidance on which actions to mitigate the impacts of climate change on susceptible threatened species is listed in relevant conservation advices and recovery plans, also available on the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment website. Resources National Environmental Science Program: awe.gov.au/science research/nesp National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy: awe.gov.au/ science-research/climate-change/ adaptation/strategy Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s Species Profile and Threats Database: environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/ public/sprat.pl CLIMATE CHANGE AND ADAPTATION ACTION AREA 4 http://www.awe.gov.au/science-research/nesp http://www.awe.gov.au/science-research/nesp http://www.awe.gov.au/science-research/climate-change/adaptation/strategy http://www.awe.gov.au/science-research/climate-change/adaptation/strategy http://www.awe.gov.au/science-research/climate-change/adaptation/strategy http://environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl http://environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl 20 EFFECTIVE CONSERVATION PLANNING Maximising the effectiveness of conservation planning for species and places Target 11: Track and publish the implementation of priority actions identified in conservation advices, recovery plans and relevant threat abatement plans for 100% of priority species by 2026 Why is this important? Effective conservation planning is critical for recovery of threatened species and threatened ecological communities. Conservation planning documents provide a detailed, evidence-based and objective framework to direct action that will halt decline and/or support recovery of threatened species and ecological communities. Having contemporary conservation and threat abatement plans will ensure that coordinated actions can be taken to support each priority species and place, enabling new approaches to be included as appropriate. Contemporary plans may also support landscape and marine based approaches such as regional planning. As these actions are undertaken by recovery teams and other groups, having these activities and related data reported consistently will allow progress towards recovery to be monitored. 5 20 21 What will we do? When Develop and publish best practice governance for effective coordination and reporting of recovery team actions and implementation of threat abatement plans. 2024 Support the ongoing development of ‘fit-for-purpose’ conservation planning documents, including: • conservation advices and recovery plans for single, multiple or regionally clustered groups of threatened species and ecological communities that include information about key actions that will drive recovery, important habitat and climate susceptibility where appropriate • trial development of place-based plans to improve habitat condition for multiple threatened species found within priority places • threat abatement planning documents, including threat abatement plans, advices or action plans • ensure conservation and threat abatement planning documents that inform management of priority species and places are reviewed and updated in line with the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s modernisation process. 2022-2026 Support recovery coordinators for priority species/species clusters that have complex recovery needs and multiple partners supporting recovery efforts. 2022-2026 Support and promote best practice guidelines for key recovery actions (including the use of standardised national monitoring protocols and data management standards, wildlife health guidance and protocols for translocations, ex situ conservation and seed collection). 2022-2026 Strengthen integration of conservation planning with other planning processes, and across levels of government and community initiatives, to maximise conservation outcomes. 2022-2026 How does this fit with other work? This work will build on baselines determined in 2022 to clearly articulate priority conservation objectives for priority species and priority places, under Objectives 1 and 2. Actions will complement initiatives, including delivery of a pilot regional plan, as set out in A pathway for reforming national environmental law and accompanying Proposed timeline for EPBC Act reforms and the work being delivered by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee. What can you do? As the actions listed above are completed, updated resources to support recovery action will be shared on Strategy home web page. Check back regularly to stay involved or visit the Species Profiles and Threats database to learn more about conservation planning activities relevant to the threatened species of interest to you. Resources Best practice manual for effective coordination and reporting of recovery team actions and Threat Abatement Plan implementation (in development) A pathway for reforming national environmental law: awe.gov. au/environment/epbc/about/ environmental-law-reform Proposed timeline for EPBC Act reforms: awe.gov.au/environment/ epbc/publications/proposed timeline-for-epbc-act-reforms Species Profiles and Threats database: environment.gov.au/cgi bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement Tool (MERIT) online reporting tool: fieldcapture. ala.org.au/home/about EFFECTIVE CONSERVATION PLANNING ACTION AREA 5 https://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl https://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl http://www.awe.gov.au/environment/epbc/about/environmental-law-reform http://www.awe.gov.au/environment/epbc/about/environmental-law-reform http://www.awe.gov.au/environment/epbc/about/environmental-law-reform http://www.awe.gov.au/environment/epbc/publications/proposed-timeline-for-epbc-act-reforms http://www.awe.gov.au/environment/epbc/publications/proposed-timeline-for-epbc-act-reforms http://www.awe.gov.au/environment/epbc/publications/proposed-timeline-for-epbc-act-reforms http://environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl http://environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl https://fieldcapture.ala.org.au/home/about https://fieldcapture.ala.org.au/home/about 22 KNOWLEDGE AND TOOLS Having the best available information and tools Target 12: Develop at least 5 new tools to mitigate impact of broad-scale threats on threatened species by 2026 Target 13: Establish a monitoring program to fill critical data and information gaps for 50% of priority species by 2026 Why is this important? Many of our threatened species and ecological communities are poorly understood with a continuing need to improve our knowledge base through long-term monitoring and research. By modernising technologies and systems, national-level data and information can be more efficiently consolidated into a leading source of biodiversity information that is readily accessible to governments, conservation managers, industry and the community. Better quality information that is easily accessible can underpin more informed decision making. With real-time access to the best available information, and with the right tools, we can target actions most likely to succeed in order to recover priority species and restore priority places. Better quality information supports better decision-making 6 22 23 What will we do? When Support a national program of research to develop new tools to support threatened species recovery and threat management. 2022-2026 Refine and promote a national standardised monitoring protocol and best practice guidelines fit for priority species and places. 2022 Undertake a stocktake of nationally listed threatened species to identify and prioritise the critical information and data gaps relating to distribution, population and critical habitat requirements to inform the establishment of a national monitoring program. 2022 Establish national monitoring programs for species identified as requiring activities to fill critical data and information gaps. 2024 Promote Indigenous-led research and two-way knowledge transfer to benefit priority species and places. 2022-2026 How does this fit with other work? This Action Area can be supported by programs such as the Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Program. It can also contribute to delivering components of the new national environmental standards and digital transformation initiatives as set out in A pathway for reforming national environmental law and the accompanying Proposed timeline for EPBC Act reforms. What can you do? As the actions listed above are completed, resources to support access to data, information and tools, best practice guidelines and protocols will be shared on the Strategy home web page. If you have threatened species data to share or want to be involved in monitoring for species, head to the Atlas of Living Australia citizen science portal to find data and information being captured from across Australia. Resources The national program of research and national monitoring protocols (in development) Atlas of Living Australia – Open access to Australia’s biodiversity data: ala.org.au Australian Citizen Science Association - Project Finder: citizenscience.org.au/ala-project finder KNOWLEDGE AND TOOLS ACTION AREA 6 https://ala.org.au https://citizenscience.org.au/ala-project-finder/ https://citizenscience.org.au/ala-project-finder/ 2424 25 Coordinating national research to support threatened species There are a range of scientific and Indigenous-led institutions, agencies and groups across Australia conducting important research and data collection to support threatened species recovery and threat management. Through supporting and coordinating actions in this Action Plan, the Australian Government is striving to: • Improve our understanding about priority species, priority places and threats, in particular: a. species resilience, response and susceptibility to extreme events (e.g. bushfires) and a changing climate b. how species and threats are likely to move or change in response to climate change c. what place-based and ex situ management actions are needed, including for example future seed banking, germplasm collection and storage, gene banking, captive breeding, ex situ conservation and translocation or reintroduction. • Support development of new and improved tools and techniques to better monitor, protect and recover priority species and improve condition at priority places. • Support development of new and improved tools and techniques to better detect, track and suppress one or more invasive grasses, feral predators and Myrtle Rust. • Streamline and improve access to search and share national threatened species data and spatial information, research and published information, including digitising conservation planning and threat abatement documents. What will monitoring protocols do? Monitoring protocols will be used to capture consistent baseline and ongoing time-series data for all priority species and places compatible with the national data standards. The protocols will be available and used for threatened species projects funded through Australian Government investments and progressively included in updates to conservation planning documents. Data captured through monitoring will be compatible with national environmental standards for data and available on the national environmental systems and biodiversity data repositories managed by the Australian Government. 25 26 FORGING STRONGER PARTNERSHIPS Strengthening relationships with existing conservation partners and helping forge new partnerships Target 14: Proactively engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the preparation of 100% of EPBC Act conservation planning documents for culturally significant threatened species and ecological communities by 2026 Target 15: Partners and/or private investment will support 50% of projects that benefit priority species and places, to help increase information base and assist recovery by 2026 Why is this important? Conservation is everybody’s business and it’s only by working together that we can use collective expertise and resources to best effect. Strong partnerships between all levels of government, conservation land and sea managers, business, researchers, the community and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are essential to effectively coordinate action and link recovery efforts. Previous reporting on the 2015 Threatened Species Strategy demonstrated the extensive contribution of all partners to improving the trajectory of priority species and tackling the impacts of feral cats. By setting more explicit targets, this Action Plan helps drive increased collaboration and partnerships. Conservation is everybody’s business 7 27 What will we do? Strengthening partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples When Incorporate Indigenous ecological knowledge of priority species and places, as appropriate, into baseline assessments and development of indicators under Objectives 1 and 2 of the Action Plan. 2022 Undertake a stocktake of Indigenous-led recovery activities supporting culturally significant threatened species and ecological communities funded by the Australian Government. 2022 Incorporate Indigenous ecological knowledge and engage Indigenous land and sea managers in conservation activities and planning documents relating to culturally significant threatened species and ecological communities. 2022-2026 Design biodiversity conservation and natural resource management programs to actively facilitate Indigenous-led and Indigenous partnership projects. 2022-2026 Funding partnerships and private financing Work with the financial and agricultural sectors to increase private financing of landscape conservation and restoration. 2022-2026 Support innovative market mechanisms for increasing biodiversity and conservation of remnant native vegetation in productive landscapes. 2022-2026 Promote initiatives to direct private and philanthropic investment in threatened species recovery projects and support collaborative partnerships. 2022-2026 Conservation partnerships with private land and water managers Support long-term stewardship of high value habitat for threatened species and ecological communities by land and water managers contributing to landscape-scale conservation priorities. 2022-2026 Encourage and provide extension advice and support to land and water managers who are interested in long term stewardship of their lands. 2022-2026 How does this fit with other work? This action area recognises the existing collaboration and contributions being delivered by existing partners who are leading threatened species conservation initiatives, both in Australia and internationally. It also complements emerging Australian Government programs on improving private sector investment in natural capital and increasing collaboration with Australia’s agriculture sector through the Agriculture Biodiversity Stewardship Package. We will continue to support and promote the work of partners, create opportunities to build more awareness and capacity across a growing network of threatened species practitioners, acknowledging the collective efforts of all helping to put species on the path to recovery. Australia’s Nature Hub provides an interactive platform for all biodiversity conservation actions underway being led by various organisations. What can you do? After the baseline assessments of each species and place are completed in 2022, information on partnership opportunities will be shared on the Strategy home web page. Check back regularly to stay involved! Resources Agriculture Biodiversity Stewardship: awe.gov.au/ agriculture-land/farm-food drought/natural-resources/ landcare/sustaining-future australian-farming Australia’s Nature Hub: australiasnaturehub.gov.au/ Australia’s Strategy for Nature: awe. gov.au/environment/biodiversity/ conservation/strategy Natural capital - unlocking private sector investment: awe.gov.au/ science-research/climate-change/ adaptation/publications/natural capital FORGING STRONGER PARTNERSHIPS ACTION AREA 7 https://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/publications/strategy-home https://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/publications/strategy-home http://www.awe.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/natural-resources/landcare/sustaining-future-australian-farming http://www.awe.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/natural-resources/landcare/sustaining-future-australian-farming http://www.awe.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/natural-resources/landcare/sustaining-future-australian-farming http://www.awe.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/natural-resources/landcare/sustaining-future-australian-farming http://www.awe.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/natural-resources/landcare/sustaining-future-australian-farming http://www.australiasnaturehub.gov.au/ http://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/conservation/strategy http://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/conservation/strategy http://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/conservation/strategy http://www.awe.gov.au/science-research/climate-change/adaptation/publications/natural-capital http://www.awe.gov.au/science-research/climate-change/adaptation/publications/natural-capital http://www.awe.gov.au/science-research/climate-change/adaptation/publications/natural-capital http://www.awe.gov.au/science-research/climate-change/adaptation/publications/natural-capital 28 COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND ENGAGEMENT Educating and empowering the community to participate in and lead on recovery efforts for priority species Target 16: Citizen science or community groups will lead activities for 50% of priority species and places to increase information base and assist recovery by 2026 Why is this important? Successful conservation relies on collaboration. The knowledge, support and engagement of dedicated individuals, volunteers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, community groups and the business sector are integral for the successful conservation of Australia’s threatened species and ecosystems. While there is much work to do to ensure our threatened species and ecosystems thrive in the future, by working collectively we can build on shared aspirations and bring together our unique values and strengths to solve complex environmental challenges. Community connection to the local environment, participation and capacity building underpin all action areas and associated targets. 8 28 29 What will we do? When Require community involvement in Australian Government projects where appropriate. 2022-2026 Work with the community to improve understanding of environmental threats and promote behavioural change to benefit threatened species through social media channels and engagement programs. 2022-2026 Support citizen science partners and initiatives to increase community engagement in threatened species monitoring and management. 2022-2026 Support schools, community groups, businesses and individuals to champion threatened species and undertake activities for local threatened plants and animals. 2022-2026 Share success stories online of the community members who champion threatened species or play a role in the stewardship of threatened species and ecological communities. 2022-2026 How does this fit with other work? This Action Area builds on progress under the first Threatened Species Strategy to raise awareness and encourage action to recover threatened species. What can you do? You can volunteer for conservation work or visit the Australian Citizen Science Association for more ideas on how you can help scientists and field experts to collect and analyse data, contributing to real-time citizen scientist projects underway across Australia. You can become a champion for threatened species in your school, your business and your community. You can keep up to date with the latest news on threatened species management and implementation of this Action Plan by following the Threatened Species Commissioner’s social media channels or the Strategy home webpage. Resources Stay connected: • Follow the Threatened Species Commissioner on Facebook, Instagram or twitter: facebook. com/TSCommissioner, instagram.com/tscommissioner/, @TSCommissioner - Twitter • Visit the Australian Citizen Science Association: citizenscience.org.au COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND ENGAGEMENT ACTION AREA 8 https://www.facebook.com/TSCommissioner https://www.facebook.com/TSCommissioner http://spire.environment.gov.au/spire/744747/744741/007/TSS2%20Action%20Plan%202021-2026/instagram.com/tscommissioner/, https://twitter.com/tscommissioner https://citizenscience.org.au 30 TRACKING PROGRESS AND REPORTING Reporting on the Action Plan objectives and targets will occur at the end of this plan in 2026 with a progress report prepared at the end of 2024. A review will also be undertaken in 2026 to identify any improvements needed in developing the next 5 year Action Plan to meet the Strategy’s 10 year objectives. The Threatened Species Commissioner will work with existing and new partners to implement the Action Plan, providing guidance to support the design and delivery of projects aligned to the identified actions. By the end of 2022, the Threatened Species Commissioner will publish priority species and places profiles, including assessments of the baseline information. Profiles for priority species and places will also identify key indicators for measuring success to assess whether species and places are on track for improving trajectory and condition respectively by 2031. Priority species and places profiles, progress reports, and all related assessments, plans and reports supporting implementation of this Action Plan will be published and shared on the Strategy home webpage at awe.gov. au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/publications/ strategy-home. 30 https://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/publications/strategy-home https://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/publications/strategy-home https://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/publications/strategy-home 31 DEFINITIONS Action Activities listed under the ‘What will we do?’ section of each action area, to be undertaken during the period of the Action Plan. Adequate representativeness Six or more genetically and demographically viable populations of species protected within the national safe haven network (See AA1 and AA3). Climate susceptibility (AA4) A measure of a species or places’ susceptibility to climate change. Some species are at more risk from climate change than others due to ecological or physiological traits. The IUCN has a developed a framework for determining whether a species is ‘climate change susceptible’: www.iucn.org/downloads/ climate change and species.pdf. Condition (of places) Key characteristics and functions of an ecosystem at a point in time, describing the state of the environment’s physical features, species composition, community structure, ecosystem function, presence/absence of threats and external exchanges/influences. Conservation planning documents Statutory conservation plans provide guidance on the management and research actions to support the recovery of particular entities. The two types of planning documents under the EPBC Act include conservation advices and recovery plans. These documents can also extend in scope to include multi-entity conservation plans and bioregional plans. Critical biodiversity assets Biodiversity assets identified by jurisdictions, environment management agencies or environmental law as important to preserve during emergencies or natural disasters e.g., species, ecological communities, habitat features. Ecological function The collective term for the roles and processes that arise from interactions among living and non-living components of ecosystems. Examples include nutrient cycling and sequestration (through biomass accumulation, food production, herbivory, predation and decomposition), water filtration and cycling, soil formation, succession, disturbance regimes (fire, flooding and drying), water filtration and storage, provision of habitat, predation, dispersal, pollination, reproduction, disturbance and resilience. EPBC Act The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 – also known as national environment law. Important habitat Habitat described in conservation planning documents or research as being important to the survival of EPBC listed species or Threatened Ecological Communities. Indicators of success – improved condition A semi-quantitative rating system based on biotic and abiotic characteristics that provide comparative assessment of how well the attributes of an ecosystem are recovering after treatment, e.g. species composition, habitat integrity (structure, ecosystem function), presence to absence of threats, external influences – future prospects (Society for Ecological Restoration - National Restoration Standards 5-star recovery). Insurance collections and populations Relating to ex situ conservation of plant species including seed banking, tissue culture, cryopreservation and living plant collections in botanical gardens and plant populations in situ. Myrtle Rust impacted Myrtle Rust is a disease caused by the exotic fungus Austropuccinia psidii (formerly Puccinia psidii, initially identified as Uredo rangelii). There is only one strain of rust in Australia. Myrtle rust threatens trees and shrubs in the Myrtaceae family of plants which includes Australian natives like bottle brush (Callistemon spp.), tea tree (Melaleuca spp.) and eucalypts (Eucalyptus spp., Angophora spp., and Corymbia spp.). The disease can cause deformed leaves, heavy defoliation of branches, reduced fertility, dieback, stunted growth, and plant death. Objectives Overarching goals for this Action Plan, to be achieved in 2026. Predator-susceptible species Threatened species that are at risk of extinction due to predators such as feral cats and foxes. A list of predator-susceptible mammals is attached to the safe havens grants opportunity – see resources for links. Recovery The process of an ecosystem regaining its composition, structure and function relative to the levels identified for the reference ecosystem. In restoration, recovery is assisted by restoration activity—and recovery can be described as partial or full. Resilience The degree, manner and pace of recovery of species after a disturbance or stress, or the potential or capacity for such recovery. This property is developed by natural selection under conditions of exposure of the species to disturbance over evolutionary time scales—and enables a species or population to persist despite disturbance. Restoration The process of returning of a degraded habitat to its original species composition, structure and function. Target Specific achievements to be completed within articulated timeframes, to support achievement of the Action Plan objectives. Trajectory A pathway of recovery over time, defined and monitored using sequential measurements pre-determined baseline parameters/indicators, e.g. species population, management actions (species, habitat, threats and research) and future prospects. https://www.iucn.org/downloads/climate change and species.pdf https://www.iucn.org/downloads/climate change and species.pdf 32 LINKS A pathway for reforming national environmental law awe.gov.au/environment/epbc/about/ environmental-law-reform Agriculture Biodiversity Stewardship Package awe.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food drought/natural-resources/landcare/ sustaining-future-australian-farming Atlas of Living Australia ala.org.au Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences awe.gov.au/abares Australian Biological Resources Study awe.gov.au/science-research/abrs Australia’s international role in conserving biodiversity awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/ international and awe.gov.au/environment/ water/wetlands/ramsar Australia’s Nature Hub australiasnaturehub.gov.au Australia’s Strategy for Nature 2019-2030 australiasnaturehub.gov.au/national-strategy Australian Weeds Strategy and the Australian Pest Animal Strategy awe.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/pests diseases-weeds/pest-animals-and-weeds Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer awe.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/ environmental/cebo Commonwealth Biosecurity 2030 awe.gov.au/ biosecurity-trade/policy/ commonwealth-biosecurity-2030 Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder awe.gov.au/water/cewo Commonwealth Marine Parks parksaustralia.gov.au/marine Emissions Reduction Fund cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/ERF Environment and Invasives Committee awe.gov.au/ biosecurity-trade /pests diseases-weeds/pest-animals-and-weeds/eic Environmental Restoration Fund awe.gov.au/environment/environment restoration-fund Environmental law reform awe.gov.au/environment/epbc/about/ environmental-law-reform Indigenous Ranger programs niaa.gov.au/indigenous-affairs/environment/ indigenous-ranger-program Indigenous Protected Areas awe.gov.au/agriculture-land/land/ indigenous-protected-areas National Agreement on Closing the Gap closingthegap.gov.au/national-agreement Natural capital: unlocking private sector investment awe.gov.au/science-research/climate change/adaptation/publications/natural capital National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy dese.gov.au/ncris National Environmental Science Program awe.gov.au/science-research/nesp National Indigenous Australians Agency niaa.gov.au National Landcare Program nrm.gov.au/national-landcare-program National Priority List of Exotic Environmental Pests, Weeds and Diseases awe.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/policy/ environmental/priority-list National Recovery and Resilience Agency recovery.gov.au National Reserve System awe.gov.au/agriculture-land/land/nrs National Standards for Ecological Restoration seraustralasia.com/pages/standards.html Parks Australia parksaustralia.gov.au Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements naturaldisaster.royalcommission.gov.au Safe havens grant opportunity – list of predator susceptible mammals awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/ threatened/publications/strategy-home Species of National Environmental Significance awe.gov.au/environment/environmental information-data/databases-applications/ snes Species Profile and Threat Database environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/ sprat.pl The Reef Trust awe.gov.au/parks-heritage/great-barrier reef/reef-trust Threat Abatement Plans: feral cats, foxes, invasive grasses and others awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/ threatened/threat-abatement-plans/ approved Threatened Species Commissioner awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/ threatened/commissioner Threatened Species Strategy awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/ threatened/publications/strategy-home Threatened Species Scientific Committee awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/ threatened/tssc http://www.awe.gov.au/science-research/climate-change/adaptation/publications/natural-capital http://www.awe.gov.au/science-research/climate-change/adaptation/publications/natural-capital http://www.awe.gov.au/science-research/climate-change/adaptation/publications/natural-capital 33 100 PRIORITY SPECIES Focused efforts will contribute to the Strategy’s high-level objective: To improve the trajectories of priority threatened species by 2031 The priority species list includes plants and animals found across Australia in a range of environments, from the arid deserts to rainforests, forests to grasslands, and inland waters to the sea. All taxonomic groups listed under the EPBC Act are included. Recovery actions for many of the priority species will also benefit other threatened species that share their habitat. Selecting priorities The 100 priority species were selected using a multi-criteria decision analysis process, using scores against the Threatened Species Strategy’s 6 prioritisation principles. Over 1800 species listed under the EPBC Act as either Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable during the first quarter of 2021 were reviewed as part of this prioritisation process. Species were scored using national-scale data sets by independent ecologists and the Australian community was also invited to have a say on species important to them. Prioritisation principles Risk of extinction Species under severe and imminent threat Multiple benefits Recovery action will benefit other species Feasibility and effectiveness Action can make a difference and is cost-effective Importance to people Culturally significant species Uniqueness Species without close relatives and not found anywhere else Representativeness Balance the overall list across taxa, land and seascapes, tenures and jurisdictions plants 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 frogsfish invertebratesreptilesbirds mammals Figure 3. The spread of the 100 priority species across taxonomic groups and the environments primarily occupied. APPENDIX 1 34 Threatened Species Strategy 100 priority species Birds Australasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus Black-eared Miner Manorina melanotis Carnaby’s Cockatoo Zanda latirostris Christmas Island Goshawk Accipiter hiogaster natalis Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis Golden-shouldered Parrot, Alwal Psephotus chrysopterygius Hooded Plover (eastern) Thinornis cucullatus cucullatus King Island Brown Thornbill Acanthiza pusilla magnirostris Malleefowl Leipoa ocellata Night Parrot Pezoporus occidentalis Norfolk Island Green Parrot Cyanoramphus cookii Orange-bellied Parrot Neophema chrysogaster Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus Princess Parrot Polytelis alexandrae Red Goshawk Erythrotriorchis radiatus Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (SE) Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyne Regent Honeyeater Anthochaera phrygia Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor Western Ground Parrot, Kyloring Pezoporus flaviventris White-throated Grasswren, Yirlinkirrkirr Amytornis woodwardi 34 20 birds 100 priority species common names (scientific name) 35 Mammals Australian Sea-lion Neophoca cinerea Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Petrogale penicillata Central Rock-rat, Antina Zyzomys pedunculatus Chuditch, Western Quoll Dasyurus geoffroii Eastern Quoll, Luaner Dasyurus viverrinus Gilbert’s Potoroo, Ngilkat Potorous gilbertii Greater Bilby Macrotis lagotis Kangaroo Island Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus multiaculeatus Koala (Qld, NSW, ACT) Phascolarctos cinereus Leadbeater’s Possum Gymnobelideus leadbeateri Mountain Pygmy-possum Burramys parvus New Holland Mouse, Pookila Pseudomys novaehollandiae Northern Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula arnhemensis Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat, Yaminon Lasiorhinus krefftii Northern Hopping-mouse, Woorrentinta Notomys aquilo Northern Quoll Dasyurus hallucatus Numbat Myrmecobius fasciatus Quokka Setonix brachyurus Spectacled Flying-fox Pteropus conspicillatus Western Ringtail Possum Pseudocheirus occidentalis Fish Freshwater Sawfish Pristis pristis Grey Nurse Shark (eastern) Carcharias taurus Maugean Skate Zearaja maugeana Murray Hardyhead Craterocephalus fluviatilis Red Handfish Thymichthys politus Redfin Blue-eye Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis Stocky Galaxias Galaxias tantangara Swan Galaxias Galaxias fontanus White’s Seahorse Hippocampus whitei 20 mammals 9 fish APPENDIX 1 36 Frogs Growling Grass Frog, Southern Bell Frog Litoria raniformis Kroombit Tinker Frog Taudactylus pleione Southern Corroboree Frog Pseudophryne corroboree Invertebrates Ammonite Snail Ammoniropa vigens Cauliflower Soft Coral Dendronephthya australis Eltham Copper Butterfly Paralucia pyrodiscus lucida Giant Gippsland Earthworm Megascolides australis Lord Howe Island Phasmid Dryococelus australis Margaret River Burrowing Crayfish Engaewa pseudoreducta Mount Lidgbird Charopid Land Snail Pseudocharopa ledgbirdi Pink Underwing Moth Phyllodes imperialis smithersi Tasmanian Giant Freshwater Crayfish Astacopsis gouldi Reptiles Arnhem Land Gorges Skink Bellatorias obiri Bellinger River Snapping Turtle Wollumbinia georgesi Collared Delma, Adorned Delma Delma torquata Great Desert Skink, Tjakura, Warrarna, Mulyamiji Liopholis kintorei Green Turtle Chelonia mydas Olive Ridley Turtle Lepidochelys olivacea Pygmy Blue-tongue Lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis Short-nosed Sea Snake Aipysurus apraefrontalis Yinnietharra Rock-dragon Ctenophorus yinnietharra 3 frogs 9 reptiles 9 invertebrates 37 Plants Adamson’s Blown-grass Lachnagrostis adamsonii Angle-stemmed Myrtle Gossia gonoclada Arckaringa Daisy Olearia arckaringensis Border Ranges Lined Fern Antrophyum austroqueenslandicum Bulberin Nut Macadamia jansenii Carrington Falls Pomaderris Pomaderris walshii Davies’ Waxflower Phebalium daviesii Eremophila subangustifolia Foote’s Grevillea Grevillea calliantha Forked Spyridium Spyridium furculentum Giant Andersonia Andersonia axilliflora Graveside Leek-orchid Prasophyllum taphanyx Imlay Mallee Eucalyptus imlayensis King Blue-grass Dichanthium queenslandicum Lax Leek Orchid Prasophyllum laxum Little Mountain Palm Lepidorrhachis mooreana MacDonnell Ranges Cycad Macrozamia macdonnellii Native Guava Rhodomyrtus psidioides Pimelea cremnophila Bolivia Hill Rice-flower Pimelea venosa Scaly-butt Mallee Eucalyptus leprophloia Small-flowered Snottygobble Persoonia micranthera Smooth Davidson’s Plum Davidsonia johnsonii Stiff Groundsel Senecio behrianus Stirling Range Dryandra Banksia montana Tangled Wattle Acacia volubilis Waddy, Waddi, Waddy-wood, Birdsville Wattle Acacia peuce Wollemi Pine Wollemia nobilis Wongan Eriostemon Philotheca wonganensis Woods Well Spyridium Spyridium fontis-woodii These top-ranking species were selected using a multi-criteria decision analysis process that reviewed all species listed under the EPBC Act categories of Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered and their score against the Strategy’s 6 prioritisation principles. Species were scored with input from independent ecologists who are experts in their field and the latest available data. 30 plants 38 PRIORITY PLACES Twenty priority places will be the focus for targeted actions over 5 years from 2021 to 2026, contributing to the Strategy’s objective: To improve the condition of priority places by 2031 How are priority places selected? Twenty priority places are being selected using prioritisation principles established in the Strategy. Nearly 2000 potential places have been considered, including all biogeographic (IBRA) subregions, all Key Biodiversity Areas, all Ramsar and Nationally Significant wetlands, as well as places identified by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and threatened species managers from state and territory governments. These sites were initially scored by density of threatened species and ecological communities likely present, and the proportion of each site under Indigenous management. High scoring places were further refined by considering spread across different jurisdictions and biomes. The final list will include a range of places across Australia, extending into our marine environment. Most places will have high densities of threatened species and threatened ecological communities, others will have significant cultural values for the Indigenous groups that manage them, and others will be places where targeted action on particular threats will benefit multiple threatened species. Why priority places? All threatened species share habitat with other species. Priority places under the Threatened Species Strategy 2021-2031 will provide a place-based focus for research, support and recovery action for threatened species and threatened ecological communities that are present within identified places. The Strategy’s objective is to improve the condition of priority places by 2031, benefiting both threatened and non threatened species and ecological communities. 39 What will happen in priority places? During 2022, a profile for each priority place will be developed that describes key natural values for its threatened species and threatened ecological communities. Place profiles will identify important areas for support and recovery that the Strategy will focus on, including goals to meet to improve the place’s condition and the actions needed to achieve these. Actions will be specific for each place and may include elimination of particular invasive pests or weeds, implementation of Indigenous ecological management practices, habitat restoration and/ or augmentation and research to inform actions. Support for these actions will be prioritised through relevant Australian Government policies and programs. State and territory governments, natural resource managers, land and sea managers and community groups will be encouraged to partner with us in working towards these goals. Our combined achievements will be measured in 2026 to determine if the Strategy’s objectives are being met. What does it mean for landholders and managers? Land and sea managers at a priority place will be invited to participate in improving the condition of the place for threatened species and threatened ecological communities. Identification as a priority place is non-statutory – it does not involve a change in regulatory requirements under the EPBC Act at that location. Rather, designation as a priority place signals a focus in effort by the Australian Government in collaboration with willing partners, through on-ground management and complementary research to improve the condition of that place. As with any voluntary arrangement, the nature of the partnerships and the extent of engagement of land managers, is expected to vary within and between places. Which places? Finalisation of all 20 priority places is underway, with all places to be announced by early 2022. Six places that have already been confirmed are natural islands, where actions to address particular threats are underway and there is strong interest in continuing. These islands are: • Bruny Island, Tasmania • Christmas Island, Indian Ocean • French Island, Victoria • Kangaroo Island, SA • Norfolk Island, Tasman Sea • Raine Island, Queensland APPENDIX 2 40 IMAGE CREDITS Front cover: Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Craig RJD, iStock by Getty Images Southern Corroboree Frog, Steve Wilson, DAWE Giant Andersonia, Leonie Monks, DAWE Female Red Handfish with baby, Molly Christensen Yinnietharra Rock-dragon, DAWE Inside cover: Great Desert Skink, Steve Wilson, DAWE Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby, Shutterstock Page 2 – 3 Raine Island seascape view, S. Banks, Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA) Growling Grass Frog, Museum Victoria’s Catching the Eye, Grampians Bioscan. Kangaroo Island woodland, Oliver Tester Page 4 – 5 Wollemi Pine, Tony Rodd Eastern Curlew, Brian Furby, DAWE Olive Ridley Turtle hatchlings, Shutterstock Golden-shouldered Parrot, G. Chapman Norfolk Island Rocky Point, Steve Daggar Cultural burning women’s cultural camp Tasmania, Nicole King Page 6 – 7 Green Turtle, Kerry Cameron Christmas Island Goshawk, Patrick Kavanagh Numbat poking tongue out, Shutterstock Page 8 – 9 Australian Sea-lion Pups, Simon Goldsworthy Christmas Island coastline, Lachlan Farquhar Kangaroo Island Dunnart Habitat, Oliver Tester Page 10 – 11 Feral Cat close calm, Hugh McGregor Gamba Grass seed heads, Colin G Wilson Myrtle Rust on Lilly Pilly leaves, Smallbiologie Page 12 – 13 Erosion control Ancient Hanging Swamps Greater Blue Mountains, Greater Sydney Local Land Service Erosion management Ancient Hanging Swamps Greater Blue Mountains, Greater Sydney Local Land Service Page 14 – 15 Callistemon forresterae seedlings for revegetation Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Kaishan Qu Erosion Ancient Hanging Swamps Greater Blue Mountains, Gavin Phillips Collecting Prostanthera sejuncta Fortis Creek National Park NSW, Gavin Phillips Page 16 – 17 Bellinger River Snapping Turtle, Kerry Cameron Seedlings being airlifted into East Bluff Knoll Stirling Ranges National Park, Andrew Crawford Page 18 – 19 Malleefowl, Andrew Silcocks Banksia seed opened after fire, Kerry Cameron Page 20 – 21 Green Turtle at Lady Elliot Island, Kerry Cameron Banding a Norfolk Island Green Parrot chick, Parks Australia New Holland Mouse survey, East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority Page 22 – 23 Funnel net along pit line Mallee Cliffs National Park, Kerry Cameron Hibbertia glebosa ssp. oblonga assessment Snug Cove Road Kangaroo Island, Dan Duval Camera trap for Northern-hopping Mouse on Groote Eylandt, Katie Oxenham Page 24 – 25 Phillip Island Norfolk Island, Allan Fox, DAWE Page 26 – 27 Collecting Namadgi National Park for tranche 2 project, Sue Kesteven Anindilyakwa land and sea rangers surveying Groote Eylandt for Northern-hopping Mouse, Katie Oxenham Page 28 – 29 Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife habitat restoration partnership, Oliver Tester Malleefowl mound monitoring app on phone, Kerry Cameron Rainforest Northeast NSW, Kerry Cameron Page 30 – 31 Box gum Grassy Woodland Stewardship Program, DAWE Waddy-wood, Shaaron S Page 34 – 35 Orange-bellied Parrot, Ron Knight A wild Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby meets an animal released from captive breeding program, Hugh McGregor White’s Seahorse, Marine Explorer Page 36 – 37 Kroombit Tinker Frog, Scott Eipper A population of Great Desert Skink (Liopholis kintorei) is being protected on Australian Wildlife Conservancy’s New Haven Wildlife Sanctuary, Josef Schofield, AWC Cauliflower Soft Coral, Marine Explorer Small-flowered Snottygobble, Ellen J Hickman, DAWE Page 38 – 39 The Spit Bruny Island, JJ Harrison Rainforest Creek, Kerry Cameron Forested River Valley, Kerry Cameron Dew Rivulet Bruny Island, Rob Blakers Page 40 – 41 Christmas Island Red Crabs, Parks Australia French Island looking south on the west coast, Henry Calvert Back Cover Foote’s Grevillea, Jean and Fred Hort Lily Beach Christmas Island, Jacinta Riley Koala, Mathias Appel 41 42