Released 30/03/2017
The Conservator for Flora and Fauna, Dr Annie Lane, is calling for Canberrans to get involved in protecting our environment by providing comments on the draft ACT Native Grassland Conservation Strategy and eight associated action plans.
“Native grasslands are a rich assemblage of plants and animals that combine to form a unique ecosystem,” Dr Lane said.
“Our grasslands are a priority for protection and management as they contribute to our natural biodiversity, our history and heritage, and local amenity and community. They provide opportunities to enhance cultural engagement, education and scientific research.
“We invite the community to comment on a draft strategy that guides the conservation of ACT native grasslands and their resident species for now and the future.
“The draft strategy revises the 2005 Lowland Native Grassland Conservation Strategy,” Dr Lane said.
The draft strategy includes action plans targeting the protection of seven individual species and the one ecological community that are threatened: Grassland Earless Dragon, Golden Sun Moth, Striped Legless Lizard, Perunga Grasshopper, Button Wrinklewort, Ginninderra Peppercress, Baeuerlen’s Gentian flower and the Natural Temperate Grassland endangered ecological community.
It outlines means to conserving native grassland species through:
- managing threats and maintaining and improving ecological connectivity and biodiversity
- undertaking monitoring and research programs
- partnering with the community
- improving the resilience of grasslands to a changing climate.
“The draft strategy has been developed within the context of the long-term ACT Nature Conservation Strategy 2013-23 and aims to build on the successful protection and management of grasslands achieved since the original 2005 Lowland Native Grassland Conservation Strategy,” Dr Lane said.
“This draft strategy provides a Territory-wide approach to the conservation and management of native grasslands. By working together we can conserve these areas for current and future generations.”
See the draft strategy and how to comment at www.yoursay.act.gov.au until Friday 12 May 2017.
- Statement ends -
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