Australia's Biodiversity: Take Action

Carpet python Koala Possum

Australia has approximately one million of the estimated 13.6 million species of plants, animals and micro-organisms on earth. Amazingly, this represents more than 7% of the world's total number of species; more than twice the number of species in Europe and North America combined! Australia is therefore included as one of the world's 12 'mega-diverse' countries. More than 80% of Australia's plant and animal species are endemic, meaning these species only occur naturally in Australia.

Things you can do to help

Cats & dogs

To continue enjoying Australia's unique wildlife, it is vital to reduce the impact our pets have on the environment. In particular the impact of our cats and dogs. Cats and dogs are predators, even well fed cats and dogs can hunt; it's a natural, instinctive behaviour. Here are a few things we can do to help:

De-sex your pets. This will prevent unwanted breeding and can reduce territorial behaviour and wandering.

Never dump unwanted cats, kittens, dogs or puppies. This helps reduce the number of stray animals who often rely on wildlife as a primary food source. There are many vets and animal welfare shelters that can re-home or humanely euthanise unwanted animals.

Prevent your pets from roaming unsupervised, particularly during dawn and dusk. This will lead to less wildlife injuries and fatalities but also, your pets will received added protection from disease and cars.

Identify your animals as pets. Micro-chipped and/or collared animals can be swiftly identified and returned to their homes rather than left wondering neighbourhoods as an unidentifiable stray.

Native trees

Planting native trees supports wildlife populations in your area by providing food, shelter, nesting sites and green corridors for animals passing through urban areas. For a list of the best native plants and trees for your area, contact your local city council or nursery.

Bird baths

All birds need water, whether it is for drinking or bathing. Make sure the bath is on a pedestal to keep the wildlife safe from cats. Be sure to keep the area clean to avoid spreading disease. It's best to follow 'bird bath' instructions if you're ready to meet some new avian friends.

*Don't forget this water source will be helpful for a variety of other wildlife.

Frog ponds

With the global decline in frog numbers, there has never been a better time to provide frog habitat in your backyard. Frogs are natural gardeners and insect catchers, a great addition to your backyard. Providing frogs with a place to breed can be as simple as using a large plastic, water filled clam or as elaborate as a landscaped garden pond. It's best to follow 'frog pond' instructions if you're keen to enter the fascinating world of amphibians.

*Don't forget this water source will be helpful for a variety of other wildlife.

Nest boxes

Nest boxes provide an alternative site for possums, gliders and birds. It takes over 100 years for trees to form natural hollows suitable for possum habitation, whereas it can take us 30 minutes to craft a wooden nest box. Keep in mind not all wildlife will make the transition from hollow to wooden nest box and different species require different designs. It's best to follow 'nest box' instructions to craft instant hollows for our native backyard trees.

Chemical free backyards

A chemical free backyard is a safe garden for pets, humans and wildlife, however this does not have to mean your beautiful garden will become over-run with weeds and pests. Here are a few ideas to help nurture a happy, healthy garden, free from chemical fertilisers and pesticides:

Select hardy, native plants: Many native plants are more disease-resistant, less attractive to pests and are often low-maintenance.

Plant your natives close together and according to watering needs: This leaves little to no room for weeds to grow.

Select natives that encourage natural pest predators: Lots of native birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects predate upon snails, aphids, grasshoppers and caterpillars that love to feast on your garden. A chemical free garden will also ensure these natural predators will be around to do their job.