Monitoring
Ongoing monitoring of Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) is a key component of the adaptive management framework. Monitoring provides the opportunity to understand whether management objectives are being achieved, and to determine if changes to management are required.
A large and regularly repeated monitoring program of MNES and associated values has been established by the ACT Parks and Conservation Service (PCS) across all offset sites. The monitoring program measures changes in the condition of MNES, helps us to understand the population status of MNES fauna within offsets and informs management approaches. Currently, PCS monitors 450 permanent monitoring points annually for a variety of ecological values to inform population trends and management effectiveness.
Monitoring reports
- Environmental Offsets Ecological Monitoring Program Report 2018-19 (8.0 MB)
- Environmental Offsets Ecological Monitoring Program Report 2019-20 (10.8 MB)
- ACT Box Gum Woodland Offset Monitoring Report - 2016 (4.4 MB)
Research
The ACT environmental offsets program collaborates and works on significant research programs for various species. You can explore some of these projects, or the species themselves, below.
The Grassland Earless Dragon (Tympanocryptis lineata) is endangered under national and ACT legislation. The Grassland Earless Dragon is a small lizard found at higher altitudes and in cooler regions than any other earless dragon.
Learn more about the Grassland Earless Dragon.
The Golden Sun Moth (Synemon plana) is critically endangered under national legislation and endangered under ACT legislation. Today Golden Sun Moth can be found in remnant patches of Natural Temperate Grassland and native pasture areas.
Learn more about the Golden Sun Moth.
The Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii) is vulnerable under national and ACT legislation. They are mainly present in the ACT region during their breeding season (September to January).
Learn more about the Superb Parrot.
The Striped Legless Lizard (Delmar impar) is vulnerable under national and ACT legislation. This small lizard likes naturally treeless grassland dominated by grass tussocks.
Learn more about the Striped Legless Lizard.
The Pink-tailed Worm-lizard (Aprasia parapulchella) is vulnerable under national and ACT legislation. This rarely seen small lizard prefers rocky landscapes, living mostly underground in the burrows of certain types of ant nests.
Learn more about the Pink-tailed Worm-lizard.