Governments paying lip service to conservation is something though not all.
Well, I for one saw it on my last day working for that department
(31-1-1999). I thought it looked terrific and asked them to send out more to
the various birding organisations. They had already sent out a lot. It is
funded by the Natural Heritage trust (proceeds from the initial sale of
Telstra), that has also funded a vast amount of landcare work. I assume that
using the ultra-taxa concept to reach the 1000 figure, means also using it
on the extinct ultra-taxa, rather than species level, though I don't know
what the 23 are.
-----Original Message-----
From: stuart dashper <>
To: <>
Date: Monday, 7 February 2000 15:49
Subject: Unnatural Heritage
>Dear All,
>
>Recently received an unsolicited copy of Natural Heritage (The journal of
>the Natural Heritage Trust). This magazine is seemingly government
>propaganda on how the NHT is solving conservation problems effectively and
>efficiently. However what jarred the most was the Foreward - Bringing Back
>the Birds and I quote
>
>'Australia has more species of birds than any other continent on earth,
>with more than 1000 varieties gracing our skies, waterways and landscape.
>Regrettably, 23 species are presumed extinct, having not been sighted in
>Australia for more than fifty years.'
>This is signed by Robert Hill (minister for Environment and Heritage) and
>Warren Truss (Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry).
>
>Now I'm willing to concede that with the work carried out by Schodde et al
>we may be able to stretch out to '1000 varieties' of birds including
>subspecies, races, vagrants etc but I find it hard to believe that
>Australia has more species than South America, Africa or Asia. I would also
>like to know which 23 species have become extinct, I can only think of
>Paradise Parrot and Dwarf Emu. Can someone enlighten me (or our
government)?
>Can someone also tell me how this colourful magazine is funded and how it
>came to be sent out to birdwatchers?
>
>Regards
>Stuart Dashper
>
>
>
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