WWF-Australia

🚨 Update for Heard and McDonald Islands! 🌊 The Australian Government has announced a proposal to expand the Heard and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve near Antarctica! 🐧🐋 While this is a positive step, critical feeding grounds for penguins, fish, and seabirds still need stronger protection. This pristine sanctuary, home to species like sperm whales, elephant seals, and macaroni penguins, plays a crucial role in preserving biodiversity and protecting vulnerable marine habitats. “...the new zoning plan fails to provide increased protection for most of the high conservation value areas identified in the government’s own scientific review and an independent science review.” says Richard Leck, Head of Oceans at WWF-Australia. “Australia is incredibly fortunate to be a custodian of this incredible place, and we really should be giving it the protection it deserves.” 🔗Learn More: https://lnkd.in/gyztuaCG

"This meeting could've been an email." Did you know the wedge-tailed eagle is Australia’s largest bird of prey and can soar at heights of up to 2,000m? 🦅 They’ve also been known to dine on kangaroos. With a wingspan of up to 2.8 meters and eyesight sharp enough to spot prey from incredible distances, these beautiful birds can dive at speeds of over 120 km/h. Best to steer clear of that gaze if you're small and furry. 🐭

🌿 Found: Logging Loophole in Australia’s Nature Laws! We are urgently calling on Senators to strengthen Australia’s environmental laws by closing a loophole that allows the bulldozing of native forests. Despite the passage of three bills through the lower house today, critical amendments to halt this under Regional Forestry Agreement exemptions were overlooked. WWF-Australia’s CEO Dermot O’Gorman says: “These agreements create a loophole that allows logging to happen without any assessment under federal legislation… If we allow this to continue, the loss will be irreversible.” “Every year, an estimated 500,000 hectares of native forests and woodlands are bulldozed across Australia, destroying the homes of koalas, greater gliders, and other endangered species.” We now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address these loopholes in our nature laws. It's crucial to amend legislation to ensure the independence and integrity of the EPA and establish robust 'nature positive' laws under Environment Information Australia (EIA). Join us in thanking Dr Sophie Scamps, Zoe Daniel, Allegra Spender, Zali Steggall, Kylea Tink, and Andrew Wilkie for moving critical amendments and standing up for stronger nature laws! A special mention to Kate Chaney and Helen Haines who also spoke in support of a number of these amendments. Uncover more here: https://lnkd.in/grHnrV63

🌏 It’s International Plastic Free Day! 🌿 Did you know that Australians use around 2.7 million single-use coffee cups each day? A quick solution here is to grab a reusable cup, bring one from home, or even dine-in. When was the last time you sat down at your local cafe and took your time with that first cup of coffee? We can’t remember so we’ll be giving it a go this month! This July, join us in reducing single-use items. Simple swaps like reusable coffee cups ☕, bags 🛍️, and bottles 💧 can make a huge impact on our oceans 🐬 and wildlife 🐢. Together, we're part of a global movement creating extraordinary change. Ready to take the challenge? 🌊💚 #PlasticFreeJuly

Today Nicole M. Forrester joins WWF-Australia as our new Chief Regenerative Officer (CRO). 💚🌿 Dermot O'Gorman O’Gorman, CEO of WWF-Australia says: “I’m delighted to welcome Nicole to our team to lead the implementation of our strategy to Regenerate Nature by 2030. “Nicole brings extensive experience across government, NGO, corporate and innovation sectors and in delivering transformative change by amplifying First Nations' Knowledge and Traditions and local communities' voices - across Australia and the Pacific. “I am certain that she will build on our progress so far and help catalyse the change we want to see for nature, people and planet.” Nicole says: "I'm thrilled to be joining WWF-Australia and working together with the team to create impact at the intersection of innovation, nature advocacy and community engagement. “In returning to the non-profit sector, I can focus on my passion for sustainability and regeneration and have a more direct impact on how communities adapt to climate change. “As a Wiradjuri woman with more than two decades of leadership experience, I am proud to be working to deliver inclusive conservation and to drive the evolution of regenerative economy thinking." Welcome Nicole! 🤗🐼

Macuata Province in the north of Fiji is home to the Cakaulevu – the Great Sea Reef with its thriving diversity of marine life. But faced with a variety of threats including climate change and overfishing, fish stock in this area has dwindled. 🐠 By combining their local culture and Traditional Knowledge with conservation practice, Kavewa residents are working together to build the resilience of their community and the ecosystem they rely on. And they’re already reaping the benefits. 🤝 Read on to learn how nature-based solutions like this can restore and protect critical ecosystems, build sustainable livelihoods, and increase resilience to climate shocks. 🌏 https://lnkd.in/g_fj_WKd This project is supported by Climate Resilient by Nature (CRxN), an Australian Government initiative in partnership with WWF-Australia.

Hey, before you log off for the day, don’t forget to make your tax-deductible donation before the EOFY to help protect our native wildlife! 🌳💚 Give them a leg up here: https://lnkd.in/ePswK_UR 🐨

🌿 Together for Nature: A Call for a Stronger EPA 🌿 Today the House crossbench are passionately advocating for new nature-positive bills, pushing for vital amendments to strengthen our environmental protection laws. 🐾 We’re grateful to Dr Sophie Scamps MP, Zoe Daniel MP, Allegra Spender, Zali Steggall OAM MP, Kate Chaney MP, Kylea Tink and Dr Helen Haines for standing up for a more independent and powerful EPA. 💚 Why does this matter? Because Australia's environment deserves a vigilant, transparent, and independent guardian. These proposed amendments aim to:  ·       Elevate the EPA's independence and integrity  ·       Lay a solid groundwork for 'nature positive' laws  ·       Ensure public trust through rigorous consultation and transparency This is a once-in-a-generation chance to create stronger nature laws, tackle climate change and deforestation, and protect our precious wildlife. It’s time to make our environment a top priority. 🌳 Stay tuned to find out how you can get involved. 🔔

🌊 Urgent call to protect our Reef! 🐠🌏 Climate change has pushed the Great Barrier Reef to a critical tipping point. This new video reveals the devastating impact of this year's mass bleaching—severely threatening its UNESCO World Heritage status. 💔 Yesterday, UNESCO advised delaying their decision on whether to declare the GBR a “world heritage in danger” until 2026, and encouraged Australia to take stronger action on climate change and tree clearing to protect our Reef. We need stronger climate action now to safeguard this natural wonder for future generations! 🔗 Dive in here: https://lnkd.in/gJTD49Wb

We're pleased to see the High Seas Treaty introduced into Parliament – a significant step toward protecting our oceans, and a big win for species like whales and turtles! 🐋🐢 Australia has played a key role in its adoption; now, we call on all Australian parties to support its ratification. 🤝💚