The Draft Orange-bellied Parrot National Recovery Plan
If you do, then here is the most important document you will read this year. As a PDF:
http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/d2aefeef-8225-4d05-a309-1af98293b606/files/orange-bellied-parrot-recovery-plan.pdf
Or as a Word document:
http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/d2aefeef-8225-4d05-a309-1af98293b606/files/orange-bellied-parrot-recovery-plan.docx
Public comment closes shortly (7 November) on the Draft National Recovery Plan for the Orange-bellied Parrot, a document crucial to the very existence of this critically endangered bird.
There's still time to respond to the actions proposed in the plan. And there's never been a better time to voice your concerns, particularly regarding the federal government's recent neglect of funding for OBP conservation.
The Fifth National Recovery Plan is an eye-opening summary of the situation at present, detailing the sad decline of this species (from about 150 between 1980-2005, to around 50 now). But it is also a detailed blueprint for action to address threats to the birds' survival, both short and long-term.
We have until 7 November to write our comments, voice our concerns and, hopefully, address the inertia and crushing lack of will on the part of our Commonwealth's environmental guardians. These little birds don't care who's in power; they're born survivors that just get on with living their busy lives. We need to speak for them!
Here's where to write:
Email: recoveryplans@environment.gov.au
Mail:
Terrestrial Species Conservation Section
Protected Species and Communities Branch
Wildlife, Heritage and Marine Division
Department of the Environment
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
Points to consider
Please copy and paste the following into your response; feel free to add, subtract or adjust accordingly.
I am saddened and disgusted that all four, previous recovery plans were never fully funded. Section 5.3 'Implementation costs' on pages 58-63 itemises each action in order of priority. I urge the federal government and the Minister for the Environment to fully fund each action of this Recovery Plan, so that we give this species the best possible chance of recovering in numbers.
I urge the Minister for the Environment to consider private/public partnerships in conservation work, such as is done in New Zealand. The enormous public engagement with species like the Kakapo is achieved through funding by both government and corporations, enabling staff to create public awareness and goodwill towards the species.
The recovery plan needs to be properly carried out, in a timely manner. To ensure this is done, the OBP Recovery Plan Coordinator position must be properly funded. This is currently an absurdly under-resourced position, making the work of the incumbent almost impossible.
A part-time professional fundraiser must be appointed to work in conjunction with the OBP Recovery Team. Duties would be to investigate all avenues of sponsorship and apply for these in a timely manner. There are presently 5800 'fans' of the parrot on 'Save the Orange-bellied Parrot' on Facebook; and their goodwill should be drawn on. Crowdfunding and online fundraising avenues must be thoroughly explored.
Introduction
I am extremely concerned about the long-term survival of the Orange-bellied Parrot. I believe that this species is a priceless part of our natural heritage and, for relatively small sums of money, we are capable of achieving a sustainable population in the wild. Furthermore, as custodians of our native flora and fauna, we have no choice: we are obliged to do so.National Recovery Team
I wish to state my support for the Orange-bellied Parrot National Recovery Team, and believe the multi-disciplinary, multi-state National Recovery Team is the ideal instrument to implement this Fifth National Recovery Plan.Captive population
I endorse the need for a large captive population, spread among as many breeding institutions as possible, supplying birds to supplement the wild population and acting as a stable insurance population in the event of the loss of the species in the wild.Funding
I am horrified that Australia's federal government has recently refused funding applications for crucial conservation work on this species. It is a national disgrace that there has been no federal funding for Orange-bellied Parrot work since mid-2013.I am saddened and disgusted that all four, previous recovery plans were never fully funded. Section 5.3 'Implementation costs' on pages 58-63 itemises each action in order of priority. I urge the federal government and the Minister for the Environment to fully fund each action of this Recovery Plan, so that we give this species the best possible chance of recovering in numbers.
I urge the Minister for the Environment to consider private/public partnerships in conservation work, such as is done in New Zealand. The enormous public engagement with species like the Kakapo is achieved through funding by both government and corporations, enabling staff to create public awareness and goodwill towards the species.
The recovery plan needs to be properly carried out, in a timely manner. To ensure this is done, the OBP Recovery Plan Coordinator position must be properly funded. This is currently an absurdly under-resourced position, making the work of the incumbent almost impossible.
A part-time professional fundraiser must be appointed to work in conjunction with the OBP Recovery Team. Duties would be to investigate all avenues of sponsorship and apply for these in a timely manner. There are presently 5800 'fans' of the parrot on 'Save the Orange-bellied Parrot' on Facebook; and their goodwill should be drawn on. Crowdfunding and online fundraising avenues must be thoroughly explored.
'Save the Orange-bellied Parrot'
Re 'Section 3.9 Social and economic benefits/impacts' (page 47). 'Save the Orange-bellied Parrot' is a Facebook Page that began in February, 2011. It now has over 5800 fans. Using Facebook and Twitter, the community of Orange-bellied Parrot stakeholders has expanded exponentially. I wish the following sentence to be added to the paragraph headed 'Social benefits' as follows:More detailed engagement with the community includes a Facebook Page called 'Save the Orange-bellied Parrot'. Together with a Twitter feed, this exposure on social media is endorsed by but independent of the OBP Recovery Team. It aims to raise awareness of the Orange-bellied Parrot to an engaged social media community throughout the world, publishing details of the birds' life cycle in a timely manner. It actively fundraises from this strong supporter base, selling merchandise and conducting fundraising appeals.OBP supporters on social networks deserve to be kept informed of all developments in the birds' life cycle.
Media
Contrary to the statement (page 47) that the Orange-bellied Parrot has 'a high public profile', I believe it to be one of the least-understood, most maligned of all our threatened species. Numerous news reports have concentrated less on explaining its plight, instead concentrating on its 'nuisance' value and its perceived ability to halt almost all coastal developments. Some examples of headlines:Return of the nearly dead parrot: orange-belly holds up marina
Parrot flies in face of port plan
Higher wind turbines revive dead parrot issueThere is hostility to this species out of all proportion to its influence on planning and development. The National Recovery Team must continue to create media opportunities at timely moments of the life cycle, in order that news stories inform the public about the problems faced by this species, and of its priceless value.
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