Climate change
We're living in a time of unprecedented climate change. Seasons are changing and ecosystems being disrupted. Our focus is on mitigating the impacts on our fragile natural systems.
Our natural world is experiencing startling changes that threaten all life on earth – including ours. Under climate change, the planet is warming at a rate not seen in historical records.
During the last 200+ years in Australia and continuing today, land clearing, habitat destruction and invasive species are threatening ecosystems. Many of our native species are being pushed to the brink.
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Ecologist Ben Parkhurst checks a reptile trap during a biological survey. Photo Annette Ruzicka.
What we do now will determine the future of these wondrous, interconnected ecosystems and irreplaceable landscapes, that have evolved over millions of years.
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A Black-winged Stilt at Naree. Photo Peter Morris.
We need people actively managing Country and working with the land to heal and protect it.
Our people are on the ground. They include expert scientists, volunteers and Traditional Custodians. They collect data and use cutting-edge research. They search for new and innovative ways to drive a right-way approach to land management. They control feral animal populations and weeds and manage Country for fires and floods.
Together, we are tackling some of our environment’s most significant threats.
Environmental challenges
Species extinctions
Nature is vanishing at a rate not seen in ten million years. Australia has the worst rate of mammal extinction of any developed country. More than 2,000 species are threatened with extinction. What we do now can reverse this decline.
Land clearing
Every year at least 500,000 hectares are cleared in Australia. With it we lose thousands of birds, reptiles and mammals and make climate change worse. When we protect the bush, we protect the carbon it stores.
Preventing soil erosion
Soil stores three times more carbon than the atmosphere or terrestrial vegetation. It's also home to an estimated 25% of the world’s biodiversity. When we have healthy soil, we can have a healthy planet.
Fire management
Australians are no strangers to fire. Uncontrolled fires can cause widespread damage to ecosystems, infrastructure and livelihoods. But when we manage fire the right way, it can heal landscapes and look after Country.
Controlling invasive species
Removing invasive species immediately improves the likelihood that native animals will live longer and breed successfully. Through monitoring, science and control programs, we manage the populations of invasive species on our nature reserves and with our partners.
Weed control
When not controlled, weeds can compete with native plants and cause damage throughout the ecosystem. They can also provide fuel for bushfires. Using the best science and systems our team identifies weeds across our reserves and manages them. When the weeds are cleared our native species have space to return.
Restoring vegetation
Nature has been disappearing before our eyes. But it's also returning. We implement high-integrity revegetation works to heal whole landscapes. The smallest seedlings grow to the tallest trees, storing carbon and providing habitat for native species.
Restoring waterways
Healthy springs, creeks and waterholes are the lifeblood of any ecosystem. They support populations of native wetland grasses and shrubs, aquatic plants, insects, frogs and native fish, as well as supplying fresh water to all other species.
Reducing grazing pressure
Removing grazing stock and controlling feral herbivores (such as goats, sheep, cattle, camels and rabbits) can be one of the most important actions to restore Australian landscapes, allowing native vegetation a chance to thrive.
