Biodiversity Activities

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act

Gang Gang Cockatoo Credit: Arthur Mosted

'Biodiversity' refers to the incredible variety of all life forms on earth: all the different plants, animals and microorganisms, and the ecosystems they live in.

The Commonwealth Government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) helps look after the biodiversity of Australia. This law means that before anyone is allowed to do something that may affect any special protected land or sea areas, animals or plants they must first ask the government for permission.

Migrating Shorebirds

The Australian Government is involved in some important international environment agreements and treaties. Australia has joined a number of international treaties to work with other countries to protect migratory birds and wetlands.

Many shorebirds migrate, making long-distance journeys of up to 25,000 kilometres between the Northern Hemisphere and Australia. Around 2 million of these birds make the annual return trip on a migratory route called the East Asian - Australasian Flyway.

During the journey, the birds need to stop along the way to rest and build up their reserves of energy. The places where they pause to feed are called stopovers or 'staging sites' and are usually coastal mudflats. To make sure that birds are able to find food at these stopovers, wetlands must be looked after in all the countries which the birds visit along the flyway.

Caring for our wetlands is very important for maintaining bird life. There are many groups that receive our funding to help to look after wetlands and shorebirds. You could join a local group such as a Waterwatch group www.waterwatch.org.au or Coastcare group www.ea.gov.au/coasts/coastcare to look after a wetland near your home.

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Sustain Ability

© All copyright including intellectual property remains the property of
Sustain Ability International Pty. Ltd.