Canberra’s new ecological forum held its first meeting in the Kama Nature Reserve yesterday. The ACT Biodiversity Conservation Forum will meet every two months, assembling government and local experts to care for Canberra’s wilderness. One might say it’s good Kama.
Environment and landcare organisations will work with the ACT Government on the conservation of biodiversity and environmental planning and policy, said Rebecca Vassarotti, ACT Minister for the Environment.
They will consider climate adaptation, landscape and ecosystem management, threatened species management, urban biodiversity, and invasive species.
The forum follows the ACT Government’s recent 2021-22 Budget announcement of more than $10 million funding for environmental offsets, biodiversity, and biosecurity.
“We are already seeing the impact of climate change on our region,” Ms Vassarotti said. “It is creating favourable conditions for invasive species and accelerating biosecurity threats, which is why we are providing more funding to prevent early incursions and eradicate invasive animals and weeds.”
“The ACT is uniquely placed to be an exemplar in providing nature-based solutions,” said Ian Walker, ACT Conservator Flora and Fauna. “Nature plays a vital role in the health and wellbeing of all Canberrans; we need to look after nature to reap those benefits.”
The forum is jointly hosted by the ACT Government and the Conservation Council ACT Region.
The Council’s ACT executive director, Helen Oakey, said: “Like the Government, the ACT environment community has a high level of expertise and on-ground experience that can feed into policy, and practical solutions, to deliver better outcomes for biodiversity.
“We are very pleased that this forum will provide a regular and ongoing opportunity for community and government to hear different perspectives on the many interconnected challenges that face our region, such as the impacts of climate change on habitats, and the threats to biodiversity such as invasive plants and animals, and urban development.”
The forum was attended by representatives from Friends of Grasslands; the Canberra Ornithology Group; the National Parks Association; Landcare ACT; Ginninderra Catchment Group ACT; Southern ACT Catchment Group; Molonglo Conservation Group; Australian Native Plants Society; ACT for Bees; Invasive Species Council; ACT Bushfire Council; ACT Scientific Committee; and Woodlands and Wetlands Trust.
“The work of this group will further strengthen the government’s efforts to protect our natural environment,” Ms Vassarotti said. “I look forward to seeing the positive outcomes achieved by their collaborative effort.”
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