Possum party
Four hours north-east of Perth, the sight of a Brushtail Possum is one for celebration. It was recorded on a motion-sensor camera, and has been on a very special journey.
I am eternally curious about our interdependent relationship with natural systems. Sometimes I pinch myself when I encounter our native species: the softness of a pygmy possum, the power of a towering gum, or the vivid colour of parrots charging the canopy. It's this awe and respect that has motivated much of my career and led me to my new role at Bush Heritage.
I join at a critical time for Australia’s rich landscapes and the species that call them home.
The dual crises of biodiversity loss and climate change threaten the natural heritage that so many species, including our own, rely upon to thrive.
In my most recent role at the World Wildlife Fund, I listened to leading scientists from across the globe. Their message was clear: a reduction in human impact on the environment by the close of this decade is vital. So too is the need to protect 30%, or more, of our lands and waters.
We need to act now, and we need to act with ambition and grounded hope.
These two qualities are evident in all who have built Bush Heritage into what it is today and are woven into the fabric of our 2030 Strategy.
Our 2030 Strategy heeds the best available science, embraces right-way science, and recognises the value of collaboration and partnerships. Through the sharing and growth of knowledge, we can bring about lasting impact.
As you will read in this Bushtracks, we're already well on the way to achieving our strategy’s goals. Through the recent acquisition of the largest reserve in our 33-year history, we've made an exciting 20% increase towards doubling the land we actively manage by 2030. This incredible milestone is thanks to the collective might and support of the Bush Heritage family, near and far. Thank you.
As I look to the years ahead, we'll continue to deepen our impact through remarkable collaborations and by implementing best-practice ecological monitoring and fire management.
The time to protect what is too precious to be lost is now. It's a privilege to be joining you all in that ambitious effort.
Enjoy,
Rachel Lowry, Chief Executive Officer.
Bushtracks 2024 Autumn
Bushtracks Autumn 2024
