World Environment Day 2024: Groups to share in more than $625,000 in funding for threatened species action
Published Wednesday, 05 June, 2024 at 01:35 PM
Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Innovation
The Honourable Leanne Linard
- Seven projects that will contribute to the recovery of threatened species in Queensland will share in more than $625,000 in funding from the Miles Government
- Some of the species to benefit from the funding include the critically endangered white-throated snapping turtle and the vulnerable long-nosed potoroo.
One of Queensland's most rarely seen native animals, the long-nosed potoroo, will benefit from increased protection thanks to a new grant program for on-ground projects that will contribute towards the recovery of the state’s threatened species.
On World Environment Day 2024, the Miles Government has awarded more than $625,000 in funding to seven projects under its newly established Queensland Threatened Species Recovery Action Grants program.
Grants from $50,000 to $100,000 were available for projects that use evidence-based on-ground management activities to protect and recover threatened species in the wild.
One of the projects to receive funding aims to increase and expand populations of the vulnerable long-nosed potoroo by reducing feral cat and fox numbers at three sites in southern Queensland.
Another project will enhance the nesting habitat of a newly discovered population of the critically endangered white-throated snapping turtles in the Baffle Creek area.
Other threatened species that will benefit from the funded projects include turtle and shorebirds on the Mackay coast, green sea turtles in the Kaiwalagal Archipelago, palm cockatoos across the Cape York Peninsula, mahogany gliders in the Wet Tropics and eastern bristlebirds in southern Queensland.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Innovation, Leanne Linard:
“Queensland is the most biodiverse state in Australia, but more than 1000 of our flora and fauna species are currently considered to be threatened under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act.
“It is vitally important we continue to take action to enhance and protect our ecosystems and threatened species.
“That’s why the Miles Government is investing significantly in funding programs like the Threatened Species Recovery Action Grants.
“These grants will help our hard-working natural resource management and First Nation groups from right across the state to deliver on-ground projects that will safeguard some of our most endangered and iconic native animals.”
Further information:
Full list of projects receiving funding:
|
Organisation |
Location |
Project Description |
Funding |
|
Friends of Parks Queensland Incorporated |
Springbrook National Park, Main Range National Park, Crows Nest National Park |
The project aims to increase and expand populations of the long-nosed potoroo through activities to reduce cat and fox densities, and by designing and implementing burning regimes at three sites in southern Queensland, including Springbrook, Main Range and Crows Nest national parks |
$99,870 |
|
Reef Catchments (Mackay Whitsunday Isaac) Limited |
East Point, Harbour Beach, Mackay |
This project is focused on addressing threats and improving turtle and shorebird nesting habitat on the Mackay Coast. A focus will be the fencing of foredunes at Harbour Beach to prevent vehicle access and assist natural regeneration. This is the first step in a longer-term project to fence the whole dune system and protect the Eastern Queensland population of Flatback turtles |
$93,405 |
|
Kaurareg Native Title Aboriginal Corporation |
United Isles of Kaiwalagal |
The project aims to reduce the threats to the green sea turtle within the Kaiwalagal Archipelago through the eradication of ghost nets, plastic and other marine debris found in the waters, shorelines, mangroves, and beaches. This will be accomplished through ranger patrols on land and sea activities and regular beach clean-ups |
$85,900 |
|
Burnett Mary Regional Group for Natural Resource Management Ltd |
Baffle Creek, Mount Tom |
This project will provide a direct on-ground benefit for white-throated snapping turtles in the Baffle Creek catchment through weed management and riparian cattle exclusion in targeted locations. The project will provide long-term benefits to the species through the restoration and maintenance of nesting banks, fencing to prevent trampling beyond the life of the project, and the establishment of proactive roles for Traditional Owners through ongoing nest monitoring and in-situ protection |
$80,000 |
|
Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation |
Kaanju Ngaachi Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers Indigenous Protected Area, Iron Range |
This project aims to implement a fire management plan to reduce rates of large tree loss and crown scorch in palm cockatoo habitats, to secure the population of the species in the Kaanju Ngaachi Indigenous Protected Area on central Cape York Peninsula |
$69,325 |
|
Terrain NRM |
Bambaroo, Yuruga, Helen’s Hill |
This project aims to reduce the threat of habitat degradation and fragmentation of mahogany glider habitat within priority corridors and remnant habitat in the southern extend of the Wet Tropics bioregion by controlling targeted weed species. Sites will be monitored to assess the impact of the project |
$97,158 |
|
BirdLife Australia |
Mount Gipps, Running Creek |
This project aims to restore and connect habitat of the eastern bristle bird in Queensland, and mitigate the impacts of inappropriate fire and weeds to the birds on the southern border. Habitat Management Plans for Mount Gipps and Black Snake Ridge will be developed to support on-ground works and ensure management is focused on priority areas |
$99,892 |
More information about Threatened Species Grants is available here.
ENDS
Media contact: Scott Chandler – (07) 3719 7339