The Threatened Species Network: A link between conservation science and the Australian community
Local community action leads to local outcomes, and more importantly results in a sustained commitment to threatened species and their habitat.
The Threatened Species Network (TSN) is a community based program of WWF-Australia and the Australian Government. Now in its 17th year, the TSN was created to help build the community’s ability to engage in threatened species conservation. The national program has a mandate to empower the community and increase involvement in the conservation of threatened species, populations and ecological communities.
Working cooperatively with government agencies, scientists, natural resource managers, educators, Indigenous Australians, industry and community groups, the TSN generates greater public participation in, and responsibility for, the protection and recovery of threatened species and their habitats.
The TSN acts as a catalyst for community action. In the past eight years the TSN community grants program has funded over 330 projects, and more than $4.5 million has been used to leverage further contributions through partnerships and volunteer involvement. Significant areas of habitat have been protected, managed and restored. Furthermore, knowledge, capacity, awareness, and a strong sense of stewardship have resulted from community projects.
However, stronger partnerships with research institutions are needed to ensure that more effective approaches to recovery are implemented. In turn, the community can improve our scientific knowledge by monitoring Australia’s biodiversity, and testing the effectiveness of management techniques within a scientific framework.
The TSN spans the interface of conservation science and the community. It provides a platform for engagement at all levels. An exciting opportunity exists to strengthen the integration of conservation research and community action.