New rankings of threatened fauna & flora species released [Audio]

26/11/98

The future prospects of hundreds of threatened plant species in Western Australia are a lot brighter today with the launch of 'Western Everlasting' - a major Government initiative aimed at conserving threatened plant species in WA.

Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes said 'Western Everlasting' was a unique program that would promote the conservation of WA's threatened flora on a number of fronts.

Mrs Edwardes said that as part of the initiative, threatened flora management programs would be finalised for each region or district in the South-West botanical province from Shark Bay to Israelite Bay.

"Threatened flora recovery teams will co-ordinate and implement this important recovery work," she said.

"Members will be drawn from local government, landholders, local wildflower societies and Government agencies, as well as scientists with specialist flora conservation knowledge."

Mrs Edwardes said that 'Western Everlasting' would reduce the impact of threats such as Phytophthora and weeds, and look to establish new populations of threatened species in suitable habitat.

Dieback disease was also a major threat to many native plant species and communities.

World-class scientific research by Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) scientists had demonstrated that the application of phosphite could prevent the spread of Phytophthora. This would be one of the strategies of 'Western Everlasting'.

The Minister said CALM's Threatened Flora Seed Centre would also be upgraded and expanded as part of the initiative. Seeds of threatened plants could be used to establish new populations, and long-term seed storage was an important tool against a species disappearing in the wild.

Public education was another important goal of 'Western Everlasting'.

"Governments can only do so much," Mrs Edwardes said.

"Public support and understanding of nature conservation initiatives is vital for the protection of our wildflower heritage.

"If it is to succeed, 'Western Everlasting' will be dependent on the support of all sectors of the community, from business and industry, research institutes and conservation groups to private land owners and volunteers."

Publications such as CALM's new book - 'Western Australia's Threatened Flora' provide people with comprehensive information on threatened species, as well as the steps being taken to save them.

Similarly, the on-line database 'FloraBase', administered by CALM's Western Australian Herbarium, means that people throughout the State have instant access to the latest information on 12,500 flowering plant species.

'FloraBase' is part of CALM's award-winning 'NatureBase' Internet site. It can be accessed at http://www.calm.wa.gov.au

Media contact: Nicole Trigwell 9421 7777.