Since last year’s National Threatened Species Day on September 7, there have been confirmed sightings of the threatened Glossy Black Cockatoo and Rufous Bettong in the area. Leonie Gale, CEO of the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife, reported on some of the region’s rarest threatened species in the context of the Dymocks Golden Paw Award 2008, which will recognise the NSW or ACT primary school student who creates the best coloured drawing of a threatened Australian animal.

“The region provides habitat for a great number of other threatened species, including the Hooded Robin, the Spotted-tailed Quoll and the Long-nosed Potoroo. People possibly saw these animals too, but may not have recognised them. Most threatened species are so rare that we often don’t know what they look like,” said Ms Gale.

“This is where we need the children’s help. Their drawings show everyone what our threatened animals look like, and people will recognise them when they see them. They can help find our threatened species so we can protect them and their homes,” she said.

“In 2008 we also find that there were less sightings of those threatened animals that live in or near water such as Glen Innes’ local Glandular Frog and Blue-billed Duck. That’s why the Australian National Maritime Museum will display the best 600 drawings of threatened aquatic animals,” she said.

Nine winners will receive trophies and a range of prizes.

Glen Innes-based National Parks and Wildlife Service ranger Nerida Holznagel said people wanting to learn more about local threatened species and what they can do to help should go online and visit the NSW NPWS website www.environment.nsw.gov.au/

threatened species/whatitss.htm

“This links you to the ‘Atlas of NSW Wildlife’ that records sightings of threatened plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates across NSW,” she said.

“You can easily search this atlas to find threatened species in your local area and how they live, breed and eat. You can also find out about plants or animals that are not threatened,” she added.

Don Grover, CEO of Dymocks said the company will match the children’s efforts in raising awareness for threatened species, donating $1 for every Golden Paw entry.

In 2007 this money helped the Foundation fund conservation projects for endangered frogs. In 2008 the Foundation will use the contributions to fund conservation projects for Australia’s Little Penguins.

The competition is open to all primary school students in NSW and the ACT. Entries close on National Threatened Species Day, 7 September. This day was chosen in memory of Benjamin, the last Tasmanian Tiger who died on that day in 1936 in Hobart Zoo.

Entry forms, teaching materials and threatened species information are available online at www.fnpw.org.au