Threatened species

Threatened Species
The pink-tongued worm, the Southern purple spotted gudgeon, the corroboree frog, the Regent Honeyeater, these are just a few of threatened or endangered species in the Murray-Darling Basin. 

National Threatened Species Day isn't until 7 September but now is the time to start planning. Research threatened species in your area and take action to protect their habitat. Make a short PowerPoint or movie to show to other classes and to publish on the Special Forever website.

Read Chapter 7 'From knowledge to action' by Pam Davis in Literacies in Place published by PETA, 2007. Pam describes the work she did with her class on threatened species in the Tongala region. It includes a bibliography of books, websites and other useful resources. A copy of this book was sent to all schools that registered for Special Forever in 2008.

The Threatened Special Network (TSN), a partnership between World Wildlife Fund Australia and the Australian Government. works with the community to stop plants and animals from disappearing
TSN has people on the ground right across Australia working with community groups and other conservation partners to help stop the declining numbers of our native plants and animals, particularly those listed by Australia's state and federal governments as threatened. Find out if there is a group near you.

They also have a community grants program. Funding is available for activities such as habitat restoration, weeding, feral animal control, population surveys and monitoring, fencing, and fire management.
http://wwf.org.au/ourwork/species/tsn/

Bird Haven
Planting trees and shrubs native to the area will provide habitat for birds. Your local nursery can provide advice. Include plants that provide protection especially for small birds as well as food that covers all seasons.

Read Chapter 3 ‘Going places: open-ended projects in environmental communications by Rosemary Clifton in Literacies in Place published by PETA, 2007. In this chapter Rosemary Clifton, a teacher at Tamworth Public School in NSW describes how students’ interest in birds became a rich learning experience involving community experts including Aboriginal Elders. All schools that registered for Special Forever 2008 received a free copy of this book.

Recommended website Australian Museum Birds in Backyards http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/

How to make Nest boxes
A new edition of The Nestbox Book has just been released by the Gould Group. This practical and informative book guides you through the process of selecting, constructing, installing and maintaining a selection of nest boxes for a variety of native Australian birds and mammals. 80 full colour pages with detailed diagrams. $19.95 + postage & handling
www.gould.edu.au/shop/product.asp?pID=156&cID=8&c=25810

Threatened Special in your area
Information about threatened species in your area is available from the state government environment department or contact your local Catchment Management Authority or Council.

NSW
http://www.threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/tsprofile/browse_geo.aspx

VIC
http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/nrenpa.nsf/LinkView/39757F7DC0240D404A256808007D84935559F1649C3CC75DCA256DDD0015D5ED
SA
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened.html

ACT
http://www.tams.act.gov.au/live/environment/native_plants_and_animals/threatened_species_and_ecological_communities_in_the_act/listing_of_threatened_species,_ecological_communities_and_threatening_processes
QLD
http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/nature_conservation/wildlife/threatened_plants_and_animals/