Threatened Species Fund

​​This four-year, $8 million program provides funding through four strategic investment streams:

  1. ​Very High Priority Species Conservation
    Supports actions that directly benefit species identified as very high priority.

  2. Partnership Grants Program
    Provides funding to organisations to carry out conservation projects for threatened species.

  3. Decision-Making Tools, Data and Guidelines
    Invests in improving knowledge, systems and tools to support better management of threatened species and their habitats.

  4. Emergency Preparedness, Response and Contingency
    Supports planning and response to emerging threats such as disease, marine heatwaves, bushfires and other environmental extremes.

2024/25 Projects

In its first year, the Fund supported 17 conservation-focused projects across all four funding streams. These projects varied in size and scope, and included:

  • ​Targeted action for ten ‘at risk’ species

  • Habitat and ecological restoration projects supporting species recovery

  • Development of conservation tools and systems

A summary of each project is provided below.​​

​Stream 1 Projects​: Very High Priority Species Conservation

Maugean skate

Priority research and monitoring to improve our ability to protect and manage the Maugean skate. 

​This funding has several elements. The first enables researchers to establish a program to track the movements of the Maugean skate in Macquarie Harbour, providing valuable information about the behaviour and habitat needs of this mysterious species, while maintaining the existing Maugean skate population monitoring program. 

This initiative has used acoustic technology, by attaching small devices to Maugean skates that emit signals detected by receivers installed throughout the harbour. The insights gained from this work will also help scientists understand changes observed in population monitoring over time. 

Funding has also supported essential research and development to ensure that captive Maugean skates are “harbour-ready” and able to be successfully relocated from the captive setting into the wild. 

Genetic analysis of wild and captive populations has ensured that the entire genetic range of the species is captured increasing understanding to support decisions to ensure a robust and diverse population of Maugean skates in captivity and in the wild.

Skate sitting on bottom of sea floor 
Maugean skate (Zearaja maugeana)
captured during a research and population monitoring program in Macquarie Harbour. 
Photo: courtesy of David Moreno.

Red handfish

​A robust population census and habitat mapping for the red handfish.

This project provides the essential baseline data to inform the status of the red handfish and provide an evidence base for ongoing management actions. The work involved undertaking a comprehensive survey to determine a population estimate and detailed mapping of habitat characteristics.

Red Handfish Habitat Restoration Actions.

Habitat improvement will be undertaken at both remaining red handfish sites in Frederick Henry Bay, using techniques including boulder and seaweed translocation, as recommended by a workshop of national experts convened on the 30 April 2024. These activities will increase habitat extent and connectivity, improving ecological conditions for the species.

Part of this funding will also support the development of a comprehensive Captive Breeding Management Strategy

One of the 100 remaining wild Red Handfish.Red handfish (Thymichthys politus).

Stream 2 Projects: Threatened Species Partnership Grant Program​​


Threatened Species Partnership Grant Program

Five external partners, supported by an additional nine partner organisations, were funded to deliver seven projects benefiting a range of species listed under the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. Refer to Threatened Species Partnership Grant Program page for detail on the successful grant recipients and projects funded in Round 1 of the Grant Program.

Stream 3 Projects​: Decision-making Tools, Data and Guidelines​

Wedge-tailed eagle

Comprehensive knowledge audit for the wedge-tailed eagle.

The completion of a robust knowledge audit represents the first step in developing fit-for-purpose conservation documents to support effective management and recovery actions for the wedge-tailed eagle; a species for which knowledge gaps persist despite over two decades of significant collective research and management effort.


Masked owl

Acoustic monitoring data analysis for the masked owl.

This project represents an exciting opportunity to improve our understanding of the Tasmanian masked owl through the analysis of acoustic survey data. 

In addressing the lack of data for this species, this project will support stakeholders involved in the conservation, regulation and management of Tasmanian masked owls, as well as proponents seeking to undertake sustainable development projects. This project will also include a spatial analysis to inform our understanding of habitat use and distribution, the development of survey guidelines, a Listing Statement and updated planned burn prescriptions.

Masked Owl sitting on branch during night time 

Masked owl (Tyto novaehollandiae subsp. Castanops)
Photo: Bill Brown​

Blue-winged parrot

Monitoring surveys and the development of contemporary management advice for the blue-winged parrot.

A key activity for this project is monitoring surveys of blue-winged parrots* across the species Tasmanian range. This will help fill key knowledge gaps and support the development of contemporary management advice to support appropriate conservation and regulation of the species.  

*The blue-winged parrot has been recently listed under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995.

Green Parrot with blue wings sitting on tree branch

Blue-winged parrot (Neophema chrysostoma).
Photo: iNaturalist Australia

Threatened flora 

Development of contemporary planned burn prescriptions for threatened flora.

This project will focus on addressing the urgent need to provide contemporary management prescriptions for over 400 threatened flora species. These prescriptions support stakeholders undertaking essential planned burn activities to meet their legislative obligations and ensure appropriate management and protection of threatened flora. Additionally, through this project, dedicated surveys of data deficient species will be conducted to improve understanding of how the species respond to fire.

person undertaking surveys of threatened Banksia serrata

NRE Tas staff undertaking surveys of threatened Banksia serrata to assess the impact of planned burning in Rocky Cape National Park.
Photo: Joe Quarmby.​

Threatened species database

Development of a threatened species management database.

This project will produce a contemporary database for the storage of ecological, management, spatial, and procedural information relating to Tasmania’s threatened species. This project will increase our understanding of threats across the landscape, support evidence-based and strategic responses to threats, and enable efficient reporting through simplified access to contemporary threatened species information.

​

Stream 4 Projects: Emergency Preparedness, Response and Contingency​


H5 Bird flu (HPAI)

Coordinating planning and preparedness activities for potential future bird flu outbreak/s in Tasmania.

This project supports the delivery of planning activities for bird flu, taking a wildlife conservation focussed approach. This includes a risk assessment to support the development of a priority species list for highly susceptible free-ranging wildlife in Tasmania. Additionally, through this project, a range of planning activities will be conducted for the Save the Tasmanian Devil and Orange-bellied Parrot Programs to reduce the risk of bird flu transmission into captive facilities.


Handfish

Emergency generator for captive handfish populations.

Installation of a generator to ensure the safety of captive spotted and red handfish populations at Seahorse World, an action supported by the National Handfish Recovery Team.​​

How Funding Decisions Are Made

Funding decisions are guided by the Tasmanian Government’s response to the State of the Environment 2024 report, along priorities identified through consultation in the development of the Threatened Species Strategy (currently in progress).

Future funding allocations will be aligned with the finalised Threatened Species Strategy​ and its Implementation Plan.  

These documents will identify targeted actions and a prioritisation approach to help identify key threats and priority species. This will help to maximise conservation outcomes through the strategic and targeted investment of finite resources.

Read more about the Threatened Species Strategy.​

If you have any queries about the Threatened Species Fund, or need help with assessing the information on this page, please contact

Threatened Species and Conservation Programs Branch
Level 5, 134 Macquarie St,
Hobart, TAS 7000