06/12/2005
- The Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator
Ian Campbell, today welcomed the release of The State
of Australia’s Birds 2005: Woodlands and Birds by Birds
Australia, highlighting the gains the Australian Government
has made in protecting native birds and pledging an extra
$507,480 to help further protection.
The report presents an overview of the status of Australia’s
woodlands birds, the major threats birds face and the
conservation actions being taken to protect them.
"This report highlights the lead role the Australian
Government is taking to protect habitat by listing threatening
processes such as land clearing under federal environment
law and forging important agreements with state and territory
governments to address vegetation management," Senator
Campbell said.
"This report allows governments, scientists and landholders
to make better on-the-ground or policy decisions that
help further protect Australia’s birds.
"Despite major gains made towards protecting birds,
this is not a time to be complacent. For many species
habitat loss - the single greatest threat to woodland
birds - is still a real issue. The Australian Government
is working with state governments and private landowners
to help reduce this threat."
As well as contributing $22,000 to the Birds Australia
report, the Government has recently pledged $411,780 to
regional bird monitoring programmes to investigate important
aspects of natural resource management and biodiversity
conservation.
The Australian Government has also funded threatened species
recovery teams and for over a decade the Threatened Bird
Network. These groups work towards developing practical,
on-ground projects that encourage community involvement
in protecting threatened bird species. The Government
has recently ensured continuation of the Threatened Bird
Network with funding of $95,700.
"This community involvement is welcome, and shows
that it is not just governments who are working to protect
and conserve our native birds. This is demonstrated by
the increasing numbers of private landowners protecting
and restoring woodlands on their properties.
"It is heartening to see that we can all work together
to ensure the continuation of our unique Australian birds,"
Senator Campbell said.
A link to the report is available online at
www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/publications/birds-05/index.html
