Wildlife Queensland has released its new policy on biodiversity. This policy will support and enhance the Society's activities over coming years when critical decisions are made about the future of Queensland's environment.

Relevant experts contributed to the policy adopted by Widlife Queensland's State Council. The Biodiversity Policy will be the cornerstone on which the society will base future campaigns and submissions.

The Policy will also be the benchmark against which the society will judge government and commercial proposals that might impact on the State's environment, wildlife or habitat.

'Australia is one of only two developed nations in a total of 17 megadiverse countries, in terms of biodiversity,' said Des Boyland, Wildlife Queensland's Policies and Campaigns Manager. 'We are concerned about the decline of Queensland's biodiversity,' he added.

The objectives of the policy are:

• to protect biodiversity in terrestrial and aquatic systems
• enhance knowledge about the State's biodiversity
• encourage stakeholder participation in supporting and maintaining the health of the State's biodiversity.

This last goal is particularly important. It promotes all sectors of the community taking an interest and building community capacity to work towards maintaining Queensland's biodiversity rather than leaving it to governments.

'Biodiversity cannot be solely a government responsibility,' said Des Boyland.

The effectiveness of the policy is based on improving the amount and quality of protected areas and the links between those areas. Land use within those areas must also be compatible with conservation. Restoration and rehabilitation of the protected areas is also important.

The Wildlife Queensland Biodiversity Policy will be permanently available as a downloadable document through the Society's website.

Wildlife Queensland's Biodiversity Policy

For more information about the poultry shed grant scheme and other activities, contact Wildlife Queensland by email or call +61 7 3221 0194.