Conservation Planning and Research

ESDD undertakes a range of programs for nature conservation in the ACT. This includes research primarily focused on local flora and fauna, preparing scientific advice on ecological and natural resource management, conducting ecological surveys, biodiversity monitoring, and preparing and guiding implementation of threatened species recovery plans. Plans of Management are also prepared for all parks and reserves in the ACT.

NEWS UPDATE

The Murrumbidgee River, the major waterway in the ACT is in very poor condition throughout its length. The riparian floodplains in the ACT have been affected by land clearing, altered hydrological systems and water quality, major weed invasions, fire and related climatic changes. The ACT Government has undertaken two surveys to provide a clear picture of the state of the high conservation value streams in the ACT.

Technical Report 22 (16.3 MB) is a survey of vegetation and habitat in key riparian zones of the ACT Murrumbidgee River. This report identifies the extent and condition of the riverine vegetation communities along the Murrumbidgee in the ACT.

Technical Report 23 (14.1 MB) is a survey of the extent and condition of the riverine vegetation communities for the five major tributaries of the Murrumbidgee in the ACT, the Naas, Gudgenby, Paddys, Cotter and Molonglo rivers.

Corroboree frogs

For the first time, 200 captive-bred northern corroboree frogs were be released back to the sphagnum moss bogs in Namadgi National Park, where their parents were collected as eggs.

The northern corroboree frogs have been released back to the wild as part of the Northern Corroboree Frog Captive Breeding and Release Program, which was undertaken by the ACT Government with funding support from ‘Caring for our Country’.

Corroboree Frog Q&A (228.2 KB)

ABC’s 7.30 ACT news coverage – Frogs Return, Friday 25 November 2011