National Threatened Species Day (this Saturday, September 7) aims to raise awareness of flora and fauna at risk of extinction. Did you know that over 100 plants and animals have disappeared from Australia during the last two centuries? One of the most important aspects of preserving these threatened species is by maintaining biodiversity. Ecological communities, while containing many plants and animals, are essential to the survival of each. Most of WA’s threatened plants are tiny, however Yanchep mallee (Eucalyptus argutifolia) is an example of a local tree species that is vulnerable.
This week our state’s Threatened Species Forum will again convene in Geraldton. This event is hosted by the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council, and brings together people from a cross-section of society. Their aim is to provide “an opportunity to inform attendees on the priorities of current national, state and regional threatened species strategies… share information on activities and interventions, science and solutions for protecting and recovering Western Australia’s threatened plants and animals."