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Urban biodiversity

Canberra residents appreciate open space and easy access to reserves for relaxation and exercise. The green places in the urban area (between suburbs, along drainage lines, beside road corridors, across the hills) provide a rich and diverse urban ‘nature reserve’ of open woodland and grasslands in which a key element is interconnectedness. They are a valued ecological resource that include refuge for some endangered species and communities, as well as contributing to the community’s wellbeing and sense of place. The urban lakes (Burley Griffin, Tuggeranong and Ginninderra) also provide habitat for aquatic species and hold good populations of golden perch and Murray Cod as well as alien species.

Urban birds of Canberra
Week by week trends in Canberra's urban bird population have been recorded for the past 27 years. Data from the first 17 years (i.e. to 1998) of this survey was published in 2000 (ACT Government & COG 2000). There is scope for this ongoing initiative to publish its findings on a regular basis with initial publication of data from 1998 to 2008 and then on a ten-yearly basis.

This constructed landscape requires continued management and rejuvenation. It is managed under various management plans (e.g. the Canberra Nature Park Management Plan). The Tree Protection Act 2005 (ACT) is intended to protect exceptional trees (valued for heritage, landscape or scientific importance) and to provide protection for the urban forest where it is most needed.

Defining and setting a measurable target for urban biodiversity depends on more foundational work. It is likely to be a type of urban habitat-hectare measure that combines biodiversity area,
value and condition.

TARGET 16. Urban biodiversity
Intermediate
  • Provision for enhancing urban biodiversity values and functions is incorporated into development decisions, management plans and local neighbourhood actions (2015)
    • Long-term
  • Healthy and resilient urban biodiversity, at local and landscape scale (2030)
  • Canberra has established a strong international reputation as a ‘bush’ capital and is widely used as a best practice case study (2030)
    • ACT Natural Resource Management Council program

    GETTING EQUIPPED

    Supporting critical community networks who are delivering natural resource management programs

    Getting equipped provides support for organisations involved in managing natural resources in the ACT (e.g. catchment groups, Park Care, Waterwatch, urban and rural Landcare).

    Sustainability Policy and Programs, Arts Heritage and Environment,
    Parks and Places, community catchment groups, ActewAGL


     



    Molonglo Catchment Group

    Molonglo Catchment Group The Molonglo Catchment Group works largely in NSW and covers the catchments of the Molonglo and Queanbeyan Rivers, Jerrabomberra Creek and the urban areas of inner Canberra and Queanbeyan.

    Ginninderra Catchment Group

    Ginninderra Catchment GroupThe Ginninderra Catchment Group works in the urban areas of Belconnen, West Belconnen, Hall, Gunghalin, and the rural areas and nature reserves of the Ginninderra Creek catchment.

    Southern ACT Catchment Group

    Southern ACT Catchment Group The Southern ACT Catchment Group operates in the southern areas of the ACT covering Woden, Weston Creek, Tuggeranong, Tharwa, Tidbinbilla, the Cotter Road, Namadgi National Park and related rural areas.
    Theme by Dr. Radut.