COG Conservation Strategy

COG actively promotes the conservation of birds and their habitats, particularly with respect to endangered woodland habitats, and responds to matters that have impacts on birds, their habitats and habitat connectivity. COG does this primarily through representation on some Government consultation forums, by participating in or providing advice on bird-related projects, by contributing to the biodiversity conservation agenda of the Conservation Council ACT, and through community awareness-raising activities. This includes making submissions to draft Government strategies, policies and plans, and providing expert opinion on planning and development matters affecting birds, including urban and infrastructure development applications and environmental impact assessments.

COG conservation priorities may vary from time to time. At March 2023, COG priorities are:

1. Management of mature native trees in rural landscapes and urban fringes
   – instruments in planning legislation that mandate protection of mature native trees
   – effective implementation of the ACT Government’s Mature Native Trees Action Plan, and
   – restoration of connectivity corridors between areas of high conservation value
2. Creation of specific reserves or conservation managed areas, such as
   – Bluetts Block and buffers with urban development in the Molonglo Valley
   – the Central Molonglo area and connectivity from the Murrumbidgee River corridor (important for Superb Parrots and other species), and
   – the Western Investigation Area (rural land west of Mt Stromlo to the Murrumbidgee River), especially current and potential future Superb Parrot breeding areas under climate change
3. Systematic biodiversity monitoring programs:
   – including long-term monitoring in Namadgi National Park