Bushfire Recovery Grant Programs

Habitat Repair and Species Recovery on six South Endeavour Trust reserves

Project will help secure habitat recovery on four reserves that were very heavily impacted by the bushfires and protect the habitat values of two less affected reserves directly adjacent to heavily burnt bushland.

NSW (Northern NSW, New England Tablelands, Alpine region)

The Trustee for South Endeavour Trust

$297,040

Threatened species assessment and recovery in burnt coastal wallum wetlands

Project will focus on acid wetlands in coastal wallum and dune systems. Activities include surveying threatened fish, frogs and crayfish; identifying critical habitat, and establishing captive breeding colonies of at-risk fish populations.

South-eastern Queensland and northern New South Wales

Griffith University

Partners: Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee, Burnett-Mary Regional Group

$291,037

Building capacity for resilience & recovery of threatened ecological communities

A large-scale project that aims to develop adaptive fire management strategies to improve prospects for 8 priority ecological communities and 7 animal species, by integrating remote sensing, ground survey and citizen science with management.

Eastern Australia, from Victoria to southeast Queensland (multiple locations)

University of New South Wales

$723,811

Securing threatened frogs from bushfire impact

Focusing on nine priority frog species, the project aims to assess the damage to habitat, implement mitigation works to support frog populations, and establish ‘biobanks’ for species at risk of extinction.

NSW (from the north coast and tablelands to the southern forests)

University of Newcastle

Partners: Forestry Corp (NSW), NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, South Australian Museum, Australian Museum, University of New England, Gaia Research

$751,982

Mapping fire-threatened fauna with scent detection dogs, cameras and live traps.

Using a range of techniques, the project aims to assess the fire impacts on the endangered Silver-headed and Black-tailed Dusky Antechinuses (carnivorous marsupial mice).

Northern NSW and
Queensland

Queensland University of Technology

Partners: Gidarjil Development Corporation; Healthy Land and Water; Department of Environment and Science (Qld); Queensland Herbarium; NSW National Parks and Wildlife

$168,528

Preventing extinction of the Kangaroo Island (KI) dunnart on private lands

This project will protect the largest remaining unburnt patch of Western KI bushland, benefitting the critically endangered KI dunnart and other priority species including KI echidna, bassian thrush, Southern emu-wren and KI Western whipbird. Project activities include feral animal control, disease control and development of a long-term fire management plan for the site.

Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife Association Incorporated

Partners: De Estrees Entomology, Birdlife Australia, Australian Wildlife Conservancy, ZoosSA, SA Department of Environment and Water

$413,807

Bushfire recovery of cryptic threatened birds in the eastern heathlands

A comprehensive, national assessment of fire-affected Mainland Ground Parrots and Eastern Bristlebirds across their known ranges to identify critical gaps in bushfire recovery efforts.

Eastern Australia, from Victoria to Queensland (multiple locations)

BirdLife Australia

$170,200

Bungwalbin Reserves Bushfire Recovery for Wildlife and Habitat

Project will support feral pig and weed control in the Bungwalbin reserves in north-eastern NSW to aid the recovery of priority threatened species including the Spotted-tail Quoll, Long-nosed Potoroo, endangered coastal floodplain forest and lowland rainforest threatened ecological communities.

NSW North Coast

Workways Australia Ltd trading as Envite Environment (formerly known as Envite Incorporated)

Partners: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Bandjalang Native Title holders

$428,164

Assessing fire impacts on golden-tipped bats and other microbats

This project will assess how the fire impacted habitat for forest microbats, with a focus on the golden-tipped bat. Radio-tracking will be used to investigate how fire affects use of foraging and roosting habitat features, and test the benefits of roost supplementation.

NSW North Coast and South East

Western Sydney University

$246,900

Releasing Macquarie Perch and Restoring Fish Habitat in Bushfire Affected Areas

This project will undertake restoration of 20km of riparian habitat impacted by bushfires to improve habitat for turtle, fish and crayfish.

The project will also collect mature Macquarie Perch to be used in a release breeding program at Buffalo River.

Throughout Victoria, NSW and Queensland (multiple locations)

Landcare Australia Ltd

Partners: Native Fish Australia, OzFish

$384,550

Securing the Future of the Western Ground Parrot in Partnership

This project aims to support the ongoing survival of the Western Ground Parrot by establishing a new wild population in Western Australia.

South Coast Region, WA

BirdLife Australia

Partners: WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions; Friends of the Western Ground Parrot; South Coast Threatened Birds Recovery Team

$230,400

Saving the spinys: urgent actions to conserve the Euastacus freshwater crayfish

The project will support the recovery of the 22 priority Euastacus species (freshwater crayfish) affected by the bushfires, by identifying critical populations, exploring the feasibility of conservation translocations, and determining how to best conserve each species.

Eastern Victoria, through NSW/ACT, to southern Queensland (multiple locations)

The Trustee for Nature Glenelg Trust

$654,500

Conserving Victoria’s unique alpine stonefly genus Thaumatoperla

The project will assess the impacts of the 2019-20 fires on the Alpine Stonefly, establish the distribution of the species, and identify priority actions to support recovery and conservation efforts.

Victorian Alpine region

La Trobe University

Partners: Falls Creek and Mt Buller-Mt Stirling Resort Managements

$271,370

Determining landscape-scale impacts of fire on biodiversity using eDNA

This project will assess impacts of the recent bushfires on freshwater biodiversity and 14 Priority Matters across south-eastern Australia using environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling. This project will enable the identification of species and areas in urgent need of management/a>

South-eastern Australia (ACT, NSW,
Victoria) (multiple locations)

Monash University

$255,060

Aboriginal Bushfire Recovery Rangers

Aboriginal Rangers will undertake recovery activities on fire-affected areas within the Mid Coast Council region. Activities include: wildlife surveys, pest management, tree planting, installation of nest boxes, weed management, vegetation management (cultural burning) and erosion mitigation.

Mid Coast Council, NSW

Taree Indigenous Development and Employment Ltd

$355,857

Raising the Regent from the ashes

This project will support the post-fire recovery of the Regent Honeyeater, including by post-fire surveys (in both burnt and unburnt habitat), undertaking Noisy Miner control, and trialling the reintroduction of Needle-leaf Mistletoe in critical breeding habitat.

NSW (multiple locations)

BirdLife Australia

Partners: Australian National University, Taronga Conservation Society Australia

$150,575

South Australian Glossy Black-Cockatoo Post-fire Recovery

This project will undertake emergency interventions to safeguard the Kangaroo Island Glossy Black Cockatoo. Recovery actions will include restoration of feeding and nesting habitat, protection of nestlings from nest predators and competitors, and monitoring of breeding success, flock movement and adult survival to guide our restoration efforts.

Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island Landscape Board (formerly known as Kangaroo Island Natural Resources Management Board)

Partners: Kangaroo Island Glossy Black Cockatoo Recovery Team

$405,000

Impacts of severe and extensive fire and interactions with feral herbivores

Focussed on reptiles and the broad-toothed rat, the project will examine how fire and large feral herbivores impact on these populations and inform whether translocations and/or feral animal management could be needed.

Australian Alps, East Gippsland, south-east NSW

Deakin University

$328,131

Introduced hollows for priority species impacted by wildfire in East Gippsland

The project will install hollows for a range of species, such as Greater Gliders, Yellow-Bellied Gliders, Glossy Black Cockatoos, Red-browed Treecreeper, Gang Gang Cockatoo, and create refuges for species that utilise fallen logs and timber, including Smoky Mice, Broad-toothed rat, Southern Water Skink and Glossy Grass Skink.

Gippsland, Victoria

Cmore Pty Ltd

Partners: Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation

$336,090

Preventing extinction for New England endemic plants

Project will assess post-fire survival and establish recovery guidelines to prevent the extinction of 12 priority listed and nine associated endemic plant species. Activities include immediate protection of surviving individuals and improving knowledge and management practices for long term recovery.

NSW Northern Tablelands

University of New England

Partners: Northern Tablelands Local Land Services

$263,300

Recovery and resilience of Green Carpenter Bee populations

The bee will be supported by on-ground works on Kangaroo Island, including installation of artificial nest sites. The project will also identify remaining populations in NSW, and explore areas with suitable habitat throughout south-eastern Australia.

Remko Leijs, Ecosystem and Biological Services

Protecting Kate's Leaf tailed Gecko through pest predator control

Border Ranges-Richmond Valley Landcare Network

Friends with benefits: supporting the post-fire recovery of mutualistic insects

Central Tablelands Local Land Services

Wildfire impact on threatened reptiles

University of New South Wales

Refuges for narrow range endemic invertebrates, butterflies and jewel beetles

Kangaroo Island priority invertebrates: post-fire assessment and recovery

Project will assess the impact of the Kangaroo Island bushfires on 13 priority listed invertebrate species. On-ground surveys will help inform future management actions.

SA (Kangaroo Island)

Jessica Marsh (consultant)

Partners: Local environment groups and the South Australian Government

$234,330

Bushfire Recovery: Endangered Dry Sclerophyll Woodlands, Sydney Basin Bioregion

Project will assess impacts and facilitate recovery from bushfires of Threatened Ecological Communities on the Cumberland Plain, using remote sensing and on-ground surveys. Seed collection will target threatened species. New knowledge will inform future managed burns.

NSW (Western Sydney)

Western Sydney University

Partners: Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council, Greater Sydney Local Land Services, University of New South Wales, and NSW Government agencies.

$268,068

Preventing extinction in bushfire affected orchids

Project aims to prevent extinction of 14 nationally threatened orchid species by (i) undertaking rapid surveys (ii) testing whether low reproductive rates or grazing by feral animals are threatening processes post-fire, and (iii) collecting seeds and propagation in botanic gardens for future reintroductions.

SA (Kangaroo Island), VIC (east Gippsland and alpine areas), NSW (alpine areas)

La Trobe University

Partners: Australasian Native Orchid Society (Vic Branch), Native Orchid Society of South Australia, Australian Network for Plant Conservation, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Botanic Gardens of South Australia, the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, the Australian National Botanic Gardens  

$503,453

Glenelg Freshwater Mussel protection and recovery post Crawford River fire

Downstream water quality risks from ash and fine sediment will be reduced by excluding stock and repairing riverbank vegetation to protect Glenelg Freshwater Mussel habitat.

Crawford River, south-west VIC

Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority

Partners: Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation

$180,000

Banking on seeds for bushfire recovery - Insuring against future loss

Seed collecting, surveys, germination trials, propagation, reintroductions and long-term seed banking will help prevent extinction and limit the decline of 21 priority plants and four Threatened Ecological Communities.

NSW (multiple locations), VIC (multiple locations), WA (Stirling Ranges), ACT (Namadgi NP), SA (Kangaroo Island)

Australian Seed Bank Partnership

Partner: Australian Network for Plant Conservation

$155,276

Impact of megafires on priority land snail species in south-eastern Australia

Targeted field surveys on 18 species of land snails listed as priority invertebrates to determine the impact of the 2019-20 fire on these species and inform future management.

NSW (multiple locations), VIC (multiple locations), ACT

La Trobe University

Partners: Museum Victoria, Australian Museum, NSW and VIC Government agencies

$342,323

Assessing, monitoring and enhancing priority plant species recovery after fire

Project will assess, monitor and enhance recovery of 19 priority plant species. Management actions include propagating plants, alleviating pollinator competition from European Honeybees and wasps, and alleviating grazing pressure.

North-east NSW (multiple locations)

University of New England

Partner: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

$199,500

Rapid assessment and restoration of litter and log invertebrates

This project will test the impact of fires on log and litter invertebrates, identify refuges that may be critical for species persistence and population recovery and experimentally test emergency salvage of litter invertebrates using wild-to-wild translocation of leaf litter.

NSW and VIC (south-eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range from Bairnsdale, Vic to south of Wollongong, NSW)

La Trobe University

Partner: Deakin University

$311,379

Invertebrate conservation in the North East Forests of New South Wales

Project will assist in the conservation of priority invertebrate species through surveys, selection of sites for recovery and building capacity for on-ground conservation activities by linking with communities and citizen scientists.

North-east NSW (multiple locations from the Hunter Valley to the NSW-QLD border)

University of New South Wales

Partner: Australian Museum

$858,931

Recovering priority endangered plants and the giant dragonfly on the MidCoast

Project will assist in the recovery and ongoing conservation of the Giant Dragonfly and three priority plant species. Population assessments, seed collection, replanting and long-term protection will help prevent the extinction of the plant species. Focus plants and breeding sites for the Giant Dragonfly will be protected.

NSW (MidCoast Council area)

MidCoast Council

Partners: Forster Local Aboriginal Land Council, Taree Indigenous Development and Employment, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

$172,010

Landcare re-establishing bush for birds and wildlife

Project aims to revegetate properties in East Gippsland with high priority native vegetation to maximise the chances of long-term recovery of native plant species, by increasing their abundance, and enhancing habitat and food for wildlife into the future.

VIC (East Gippsland – multiple locations)

East Gippsland Landcare Network Inc.

Partners: Birdlife Australia, Wildlife Unlimited

$131,250

Enhancing fire recovery of Kangaroo Island rare endemic flora on private land

Project will target 17 priority or threatened plant species only found on Kangaroo Island that occur on fire-affected private land and roadsides. Surveys will focus on post-fire regeneration and local residents will be trained to maintain surveys beyond the duration of the project. Outcomes will inform future prescribed burning strategies.

SA (Kangaroo Island)

Nature Conservation Society of South Australia Inc

Partners: Eco Action Kangaroo Island, Kangaroo Island Conservation Landowners Association, Friends of Park Western KI District, Land for Wildlife Kangaroo Island, Field Naturalist Society of SA, Threatened Plant Action Group

$345,471