Our recent paper describing two new species of Urodacus burrowing scorpions was profiled in a CSIRO Publishing blog, along with other 'Incredible Invertebrates', check it out:

blog.publish.csiro.au/invertebrates-…

In Western Australia, the penalties for harvesting the WA government’s ‘wooden gold’ is $200,000 for individuals and $1 million for corporations.
Graphic via WA Government’s Forest Products Commission.

Over the border, in West Australia, Santalum spicatum is considered “a forest product” by the WA Government. Despite its global listing as a threatened species, the WA government’s forestry department still kills tens of thousands of old-growth, 100-200 year-old sandalwood trees.

Australian Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) is listed as a vulnerable threatened species in South Australia.
The penalties for harvesting sandalwood are a fine of $7,500 or 18 month’s prison — SA National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. 1/2

New paper published! Andrea Taschetto and co-authors show that
a reduction in the moisture sources from the Tasman Sea contributed to the development of the 2017-19 Tinderbox Drought, one of Southeast Australia's most severe droughts since 1900.

300 #feralcats vs. ~150 critically endangered birds. Will the #Felixer help reduce #extinction risk for these two species of birds. Let's hope so. 🐈‍⬛🐦🤞abc.net.au/news/2024-05-1…

Had a brief yarn on ABC News Radio National yesterday arvo about our community-driven reintroduction of a threatened freshwater fish in Victoria: abc.net.au/listen/program…. Great to be able to share the wonderful efforts of local communities in conservation! #TeamFish

theconversation.com/two-thirds-of-…
🐈‍⬛Only 8% of people are opposed to #petcat containment. Of course! It protects both #petcat s and native #wildlife 🐸🦎🐦.

Congratulations to the students who were recently awarded Student Research Awards!⁠
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See all the winners here: ⁠tinyurl.com/SRA-past-winne…⁠
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The 2024 round will open later this year - keep an eye on the e-news and ESA socials for more information. ⁠
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📷️: Russell Charters

A summary of two new papers spearheaded by Sabine Kasel looking into the effects of frequent severe wildfire on the understorey and seedbank from low elevation forests all the way to snow gum forests.
pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/bushf…

Also kudos to other NGOs, Aboriginal corporations, pastoralists and property owners doing their best to conserve sandalwood on country.
Pictured: Badimia Elder Ashley Bell.
#BadimiaCountry

Thank goodness we have organisations like Bush Heritage trying to conserve Australian Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) — on country.
Bon Bon Station Reserve, South Australia. 1/2
Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara Country

Thrilled to share our (MELFU) research on a community-driven reintroduction of southern pygmy perch in The Conversation - Australia + New Zealand: a great example of how collabs between government, community, managers & researchers can drive +ve conservation outcomes!
theconversation.com/how-a-long-los…

So, if we can't eradicate #canetoads , is there a way to teach #Australia 's #nativeanimals not to eat them⁠?  

We asked Dr Georgia Ward-Fear of Macquarie University for the #facts ; here is 60 Seconds of #Science !

Learn more about ' #teacher #toads ': augeo.co/canetoads

“Her behaviour is much like that of a regular long distance migrant, chasing warmth, with stopovers along a flyway.”

It’s 2142 kms and counting for our precious little Marcelina.

paintedsnipe.com.au/2024/05/15/mar…

Three tenure-track positions available at Monash University. Please share with your networks.

Greater glider found dead next to Victorian Department of Environment logging site #springst smh.com.au/environment/co…

Bon Bon Station is right out on the edge of its range, but sandalwood was still over-harvested there during the ‘wooden gold’ frenzy that occurred in South Australia between 1925 & 1941.
This snippet from the adjacent town’s (Kingoonya) history.
Sandalwood is now protected in SA.

Fabulous to be out on country surveying Australian Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) — on Bon Bon Station Reserve, South Australia.
But depressing to see how few of this iconic Australian species still persist in their natural environment.
Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara Country

Two-thirds of us support banning pet cats from roaming. A ban would save millions of native animals – and billions of dollars theconversation.com/two-thirds-of-… via The Conversation - Australia + New Zealand