Planning education to care for the earth - IUCN Knowledge Network

Australia: Community involvement inconservation of biological diversityChris MobbsAbstractThe National Landcare Programme in Australia is designed to raiselong term productivity and the ecological sustainability of thecountry’s land and water resources. To achieve this goal, thegovernment, the community and individuals at all levels need tounderstand the nature and value of land resources and to work inpartnership. The Save the Bush and One Billion Trees Programmesare two elements of National Landcare, focusing on maintenance ofbiological diversity. Community groups interested in protecting andrestoring native vegetation receive funds. Waterwatch, anenvironmental education and awareness programme, promotes waterquality monitoring. People develop their skills and knowledge, changeattitudes to land and water management through involvement inpractical conservation.IntroductionThe arrival of Europeans in Australia in 1770 brought about changes thatpermanently altered the Australian landscape and wildlife at a rate far greaterthan in the previous 50,000 years. About 100 species of plants and at least27species of birds and mammals have disappeared in less than 200 years ofEuropean settlement; a further 209 plant species and 59 vertebrates areendangered. Destruction of habitats through extensive clearing of vegetationfor agriculture until very recent times is the most significant factor, whilechanges in fire regimes and overgrazing by exotic animals such as rabbitsand sheep and cattle have further degraded the land.The coastal plain along the eastern and south-western coasts is under greatpressure from urban expansion and tourism; by the year 2000, almost 85 percent of the population will live in urban areas within 30 km. of the ocean.Urban development and vast areas of farmland are now interspersed withremnants of forest and woodlands in thin corridors, in small patches onhilltops or in the corners of fields.There are habitats that are not adequately protected even in natureconservation reserves which protect many of the most important biologicalresources and the move towards the development of more ecologicallysustainable land use has focused attention on remnant vegetation as the laststronghold for some species. The importance of remnant vegetation lies in125