Biodiversity incorporates every single living thing on this planet and the environment where they live. From the smallest bacteria to the largest blue whale; from the depths of the Mariana Trench to the highest peak of Mount Everest; biodiversity creates an intricate web of life of which we are all a part of.
Humans are so dependent on biodiversity for health, wellbeing, enjoyment, and existence; getting our food and clean water, and many medicines and products from the environment. It is the basis for much of our recreation and tourism, and something taken for granted more and more.
Here in Australia, we are lucky to be a part of the most biodiverse developed country in the world, home to between 600,000 - 700,000 species, most of which are endemic. Our biodiversity, however, is under threat. Habitat fragmentation, burning, invasive species, urbanisation and climate change have all negatively impacted biodiversity, adding ever increasing pressure for us to make a change. The science gives us these statistics, but it’s the local land managers and Australian communities who have the power to protect and improve the biodiversity in our environment.
Earthwatch Australia’s Bush Blitz program has developed a toolkit to arm citizens with the knowledge and ideas needed to implement their own biodiversity projects, as well as form key partnerships within the community.
The Biodiversity Project and Community Partnership Toolkit, even though initially created for Australian School Teachers, equips everyone with all the knowledge needed to develop their very own biodiversity project plan. It discusses potential ideas, citizen science initiatives, partnership benefits and processes, as well as steps to design your own. It contains invaluable information needed to create a project or partnership that will help save our biodiversity from decline.
Your project or partnership may require a lot of planning, communications and organisation, however, the benefits will be crucial to raising awareness and actively helping our environment.
Help protect Australia’s biodiversity this September and everyday into the future, download our free Biodiversity Project and Community Partnership Toolkit.
Keep an eye on our social media this September for Biodiversity Tips and a daily ClimateWatch species feature.
