CONSERVATION OF THE OUTBACK:

One of WWF-Australia's main priorities is conservation of its vast and unique outback. Its 'Outback Survivors' campaign is directed at precisely this.

The outback occupies 70 per cent of the country and is home to many unique species that are specially adapted to live in arid lands. Unfortunately much of the outback is under serious threat from over-grazing, changed fire regimes, feral animals and weeds.

The threat to desert mammals, such as the Bilby, Chuditch andMala, and even the ancient Sugarwood trees are an indication of the drastic problems facing Australia's arid lands.

WWF has assisted research in the area for years. One of its contributions has been in the development of the Threat Abatement Plan for Foxes. It has also been involved in the conservation of the Bilby (a desert bandicoot that burrows like a rabbit), which is an important symbol of what's happening in the deserts and rangelands. The organisation is, in fact, part of theBilby Recovery Team which is planning and managing Bilby conservation efforts across Australia. Another desert survivor - the Chuditch (a cat-sized marsupial carnivore) is now found only in the Jarrah forests of south-western WA. WWF Australia has provided practical support for research, species management and community participation.

As part of the Arid Lands Coalition, WWF-Australia has been working with other conservation groups to formulate policies, including contributing to the development of a National Strategy for Rangeland Development and regional projects to improve industry sustainability. WWF published a report highlighting Australia's record as one of the top ten countries for destroying bush land, mostly marginal outback grazing country, and proposing controls. Two states have subsequently improved bush protection laws.

The Threatened Species Network (TSN) enables the general community to become involved in conservation efforts for endangered species and habitats. Managed by WWF, and with funding from the Commonwealth Government and private sponsors, the TSN is an example of WWF working both with the government and the general community.

WWF-Australia also supports the traditional aboriginal landholders in an effort to conserve their environment.

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Copyright 1996, The World Wide Fund For Nature