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The loss of habitat through European settlement, land-clearing and the spread of towns and cities have reduced the refuge pockets where species have been able to survive Australia's harsh conditions.
Introduced species which compete with native species for food and habitat have become feral adding to the negative effects on the environment.
We cannot restore the lost species but we can become educated about those which are now listed as endangered, vulnerable and rare in an attempt to ensure their survival.
The use of fertilisers has encouraged pasture species to the detriment of native species and the animals that feed on them.
Other land use practices have also impacted on the health of many of the waterways and parts of the coastline and ocean.
This topic can be explored by investigating many aspects, including flora, fauna, varying environments and conservation issues.
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- DEC [formerly CALM] and Perth Zoo
Programs such as the Native Species Breeding Program at the Perth Zoo, support Threatened Species Recovery plans by providing animals for release under CALM's Western Shield program. A work pack for schools is available to download. [Action pack PDF]
The NSBP also conducts scientific research into the reproductive biology of threatened fauna.
© Perth Zoo
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- Since the mid 1990s, there has been a growing community concern about the noticeable decline in the health of tuart trees south of Mandurah. The Department of environment and Conservation has pu together two CD-ROMS and a chart which contain activities for students dealing with the conservation and management of remnant tuart woodlands.
Out on a limb - CD-ROM for Secondary Geography and Science Students
Investigating Tuart Woodlands - Primary chart
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- Flora Base
The website of the Western Australian Herbarium has an interactive database for students to discover just how many threatened plant species occur in Western Australia and where they are still to be found.
© S.D. Hopper & A.P. Brown
Flora Base (CALM and WA Herbarium)
- Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority
King's Park carries out several plant research programs aimed at conserving Western Australian plant species. These include seed storage and cell tissue culture.
- National Threatened Species Day
National Threatened Species Day is held on 7 September each year to encourage the community to help conserve Australia's unique native fauna and flora. We can all take action to prevent further extinctions by restoring healthy numbers of endangered species and ecological communities in the wild.
- Naturebase
The Department of Environment and Conservation Its key responsibilities include broad roles in conserving biodiversity, and
protecting, managing, regulating and assessing many aspects of the use of the
State’s natural resources.
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- World Wildlife Foundation
From here students can link to many international organisations through the regional links.
- TESAN
The Endangered Species and Nature of the World is an interesting ongoing international project which your school can join.
- Red List
For information on the world's most threatened species, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural resources has produced the "Red List" database of thousands of organisms all over the world.
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| Starting Points |
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| Threatened Species Resources in the CMIS Resource
Bank |
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| Other Online Resources |
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Possible Learning Area Outcomes
Curriculum Framework |
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| Science |
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| Society and Environment |
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| Phases of Development |
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