On The Brink What’s Inside Issue 5 minutes with Bringing back Project Dr Fred Ford the Eastern wrap-up: Bettong Dunnarts 01 p3 p5 p7 2019 Foundation remains optimistic in what is would underwrite our administrative costs essentially a pessimistic space.’ I think and enable all future donations to be that’s true and I believe it is a good basis applied only to conservation projects. on which to build on our effectiveness. Encouragingly, in a survey last year, Nevertheless, there is little point in some members have indicated a glossing over facts and no point at all willingness to nominate the Foundation in pretending that things on the as a beneficiary in their Wills. This is ecological front are better than they are. hugely encouraging for the development The picture is awful – simply confronting of our Capital Fund and for our future Is 'Catastrophe' the unpalatable truth that today, right over the next quarter century. To those now, 258 species of flora and fauna of you who have so indicated, thank you. too strong a face extinction is sobering. In fact, I think As always too, we will continue to ask it is made more difficult because as a for donations. I know it can appear that word? Foundation we are frustrated by limited the Foundation is always asking for resources to effect immediate change. I have often thought - are many money – but we have no choice. For the Australians sleep-walking towards a Nevertheless, thanks to you all, we are foreseeable future, and our recent grant native-wildlife extinction catastrophe achieving some wonderful results and, as round is no exception, the demand for from which there is no return? the Foundation grows, all of us have good project support is likely to be unending. reason to remain optimistic in the midst of But, be reassured that at all times we This is a powerful statement about the dire stats. On pages 5 and 10 of this attempt to select projects that have a which I have thought long and hard. edition I am thrilled to announce two new good chance of success so that the Am I over-reaching, exaggerating projects – bringing the Eastern Bettong funds provided demonstrate a return to or being needlessly alarmist? back to Victoria and, in partnership with all our supporters. For further insight into the SA Department of Environment and how we chose our projects we have The ecological statistics suggest not. Water, continue to safeguard the Western interviewed the Chair of the Foundation’s Our members and donors know the Quoll in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges with Conservation Committee, Dr Fred Ford. statistics well enough but they bear the long term prospect of reintroducing Read his interview on the opposite page. repeating. Since European settlement: quolls into the Gammon Ranges. At various functions towards the end 91 species have become extinct; • As you all know too, we’ve just concluded of last year, some members told me • 258 are critically endangered; our first 25 years of existence. Apart from their support of the Foundation made business-as-usual, it has also been a them feel as if, in a small way, they • another 711 are endangered and period of planning and review. What do were helping to heal the planet and, nearly 800 species are considered we want to do in the next 25 years, how by so doing, healing themselves. • are we going to do it, where are we going vulnerable to extinction. I think that is truly wonderful as to get the resources, what partners will it demonstrates an outcome for This is my third year as CEO of the we need, how can we do things better? Foundation and there are times our supporters beyond saving when it is difficult to decide whether An issue of importance to the Board and one species or another. to all our supporters is that donations to feel elated at our successes or Thank you for being a part of should go towards nominated projects, despondent because there is just so our evergrowing community. much to do and insufficient resources not administrative overheads. To that to tackle the most urgent needs. end, the Board will continue efforts to build a significant Capital Fund. Many Tracy McNamara I’ve opted to take a lead from one of our of you have indicated support for this Chief Executive Officer Melbourne donors who told me that ‘the initiative, as a sufficiently large fund The FAME Newsletter is published by Printed using vegetable inks on paper the Foundation for Australia’s Most sourced from sustainable forests and About FAME wrapped in biodegradable plastic. Endangered Species Ltd. FAME is an independent, non-profit ABN 79 154 823 579 Every effort has been made to ensure organisation based in South Australia the accuracy of the content within this but operating across the country. Level 1, 47 Tynte Street newsletter. We apologise for any omissions FAME is completely donor funded; our North Adelaide 5006, SA or errors that may have occurred. work is only possible because of the 08 8374 1744 generosity of our community who support [email protected] Follow us on social media us. For this we are grateful. Donations to FAME are tax-deductible under relevant www.fame.org.au Australian legislation. 2 picture problems. Awareness levels of the and species, noticing changes, telling 5 minutes with Australian public about their native plants the right people about them. and animals are also alarming. Many people Applying new technologies to the big- FAME Board think that trout and proteas are native (flower picture issues is always potentially a game sellers always tell them proteas are) and changer. We now see this happening in Director, wouldn't have a clue what a Bettong was, the energy sector, there's potential for let alone a Kowari or Nabarlek. [Ed: a Kowari the same to happen in conservation of Dr Fred Ford is a small desert-loving carnivore about native species, but there just aren't the the size of guinea pig, but with a bushy tail; market forces to drive change. That means Dr Ford has been a Director of FAME since a Narbalek is a little rock wallaby which community advocacy must drive industry 2012 and, in his time on the Board, has been lives in the Top End and the Kimberleys.] involved in the recovery of the remaining and governments to value species and wild populations of Bridled Nailtail Wallaby Feral exotic animal management seek solutions. Alignment of goals between in central Queensland, improving genetic is a hot topic. Is it critical to the the pastoral and conservation sectors diversity of the Mountain Pygmy Possum at survival of our native species? where there are shared or similar problems can help leverage funding and effort- for Mt Buller and, most recently, the successful Yes. It was critical in the extinction of many example fox baiting serves both sectors, reintroduction of the Western Quoll back species 100 years ago, and modern and many biosecurity issues may equally into the Ikara-Flinders Ranges where it had experiments removing exotic species show impact agriculture and the environment. been locally extinct for over 100 years. strongly that dealing with exotics is the In 2014, Dr Ford wrote John Gould’s single biggest gain to be made towards FAME is reliant on philanthropic giving, Extinct and Endangered Mammals conserving many native species today. being 100% donor funded. There are over 50,000 registered charities in of Australia, published by NLA Would there be one or two projects over Australia; in your view, how do we stand Publishing. His book is available to the years, that you have been particularly out as a foundation worthy of support? purchase online and in bookstores. proud to have FAME involved with? I wish great outcomes could speak for Please describe your role There is obvious pride that comes from themselves, but you have to get a bit on the Board of FAME. collaborating with government and local shouty sometimes before you can tell the communities to deliver projects like the I chair the Conservation Committee. stories you want to tell. And let’s not forget return of quolls and possums to the Flinders. We assess project applications against that for every registered charity there are However, we don't choose to support FAME's organisational goals and on probably another four or five clubs, schools any projects we aren't proud of. Some of scientific merit, and provide advice to or local groups that people want to support. FAME's best work has been to support the rest of the Board on each proposal. Reputation and recommendations can take smaller projects like the Tall Astelia, or to us only so far, and I think we have started Is native wildlife conservation more provide seed funding for great ideas like on a good and necessary journey toward important today than it was 20 the Felixer (cat sprayer) which has gone stronger brand identity and presence to years ago? What’s changed? on to become a nationally-recognised let people see our stories and successes. development in cat management. No. It was just as important then as now, Giving is a very personal thing, and I get it although some threats are increasing, Do you think FAME can play a role in that for many people there are other priorities. more species are in decline than ever, and saving native species from extinction? So that leads to an interesting question of the undeniable stresses of global warming how we show that we are more than just are starting to have real impacts on the If I didn't, I wouldn't be on the Board.