Here's the latest round-up of news from Wildlife Queensland.

A special welcome to all the students who signed up with us at the University of Queensland's Market Day last week - we hope you enjoy your monthly my.Wildlife e-bulletin.

Please take this opportunity to support wildlife conservation - join Wildlife Queensland, become a wildlife protector, adopt a quoll or subscribe to Wildlife Australia Magazine.

Monitoring government performance

Two years after the Premier’s commitment to expand national parks by 50% and double all protected areas by 2020, the Government is still a long way off target.

The Premier’s Toward Q2 progress report 2008-2009 projection is that they are on track to reaching thier national parks commitment. Wildlife Queensland is of the opinion they will fall well short of achieving the 7.5% target.

What is needed and why is this target unlikely to be met based on current performance?

Attention Uni Students

Wildlife Queensland is launching its 2010 Student Research Grants Program - available to students at all Queensland Universities.

Eligible research projects are those which investigate methods of addressing or reversing the decline in native plant and animal species or their habitat, or other applied conservation outcomes in Queensland. These include biodiversity conservation, vegetation communities and regional ecosystems.

Five grants of $1000 each will be available in 2010. See our website for more information and application procedure.

Queensland’s Biodiversity Strategy

At the round table meeting held recently between the conservation movement, including Wildlife Queensland, and Hon Kate Jones, the Minister announced that the consultation period would be extended prior to the release of the draft for public comment due out later this year.

Further discussion will facilitate the release of a document that has support and reflects current ecological thinking.  Minister Jones indicated this was the preferred approach. Read More.

Win with Wildlife Australia Magazine

Subscriptions, including renewals, received between 22 March and 31 May will go in the draw to win a beautiful tile mural from Wild Art Tiles valued at $335.

The winner can choose from over 130 designs. There are also 2 runner-up prizes of tile murals valued at $239 each. Conditions apply.

Subscribe today.

What is Qdog?

It is well known that biosecurity issues impact our biodiversity. The Queensland government has biosecurity as a priority. Wildlife Queensland welcomes the additional focus on well-established feral animals but more is required.

Qdog (Queensland dog offensive group) is the new committee charged with management of wild dogs throughout Queensland; Wildlife Queensland is represented on this committee.

Native vegetation review

Australia’s Native Vegetation Framework draft is now open for comment. Wildlife Queensland has not yet examined the draft in sufficient detail to highlight deficiencies or statements that need strong support.

However, two of the important issues that need to be addressed are connectivity and funding. A statement about resources is required or it will go the same way as similar frameworks - gathering dust on a shelf somewhere.

Have your say. Submissions close 31 March 2010.

For your diary

Clean up Australia Day - Sunday 7 March. Register your interest and join in with your local groups.

Ants with Attitude - Queensland Herbarium Seminar. Hear Dr Chris Burwell discuss the potential of ants as bio-indicators. Monday 8 March at Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens

Nudgee Beach Environmental Education Expo. Showcasing education resources for both primary and secondary levels - Wednesday 10 March.

Seaweek Cruise - Join WPSQ Bayside Branch for a day on the bay. Sunday 14 March

South East Queensland - the future population problems. Two separate forums in Brisbane and Sunshine Coast - 13 and 14 March

Frogs in your back yard - Join Jenny to find out how to make your backyard frog friendly. Tuesday 23 March

Wildlife Land Fund is looking for volunteers for a working bee at Witta Conservation Reserve, Maleny on Saturday 17 April.

You can find out more about these events in our What's On section.

Wildlife Queensland Newsletter

You can download a full colour copy of the Wildlife Queensland Summer 2009 [1.6mb]. If you also receive a hardcopy of the newsletter, but would rather just download the pdf format file, please cancel your hardcopy by email with your name, address and reference number (if known).

Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland.
95 William St, Brisbane Qld 4000 Australia
Ph: +61 7 3221 0194 Fax: +61 7 3221 0701

You have received this email newsletter as a member or supporter of Wildlife Queensland, or as someone we believe has an interest in wildlife and conservation in Australia. WPSQ will be producing this my.Wildlife eBulletin on a regular basis. If at any time you do not wish to receive further bulletins, please use this link to send us an email containing the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line. At any time, you can re-subscribe using this link to send an email with a subject SUBSCRIBE. We welcome suggestions for content or topics the future eBulletins.

WPSQ policy is to not provide any person's details, including email address, to third parties without that person's consent.