Operation Rangelands Restoration: A 2020 Vision

Sydney Heads Pass Earaheedy (Kurrara Kurrara)

Over the past 200 years, Australia has experienced a higher rate of mammal extinctions than any other continent. Arid regions, including much of the Western Australian rangelands, have been most affected. Of the 85 species of native mammals (excluding bats) known to have once occupied the arid zone, 11 are now extinct, six are extinct on the mainland and are found only on off-shore islands and 16 are now severely restricted in their range.

Preventing further extinctions and reversing the rate of decline of biodiversity and ecosystem health in the rangelands will require proactive and determined intervention. Conservation and natural resource management (NRM) agencies such as the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) will work in partnership with neighbouring landholders, traditional owners, regional NRM groups, research institutions such as universities and CSIRO, resource developers and other businesses that have interests in the rangelands.