Thanks to your support, the Wilderness Society has launched a landmark Federal Court case seeking to hold the Environment Minister to account for failing to protect threatened species.

We’ve recently hit our ambitious $548,000 fundraising target to give this legal case a fighting chance in court! That is an incredible achievement, and it simply would not have happened without you.

Our landmark case seeks to hold the Environment Minister to account for failing to make Recovery Plans to protect threatened species from extinction.

At the heart of the case are 11 unique animals—like the greater glider, ghost bat and Australian lungfish—whose Recovery Plans have been delayed, ignored or allowed to expire.

📷 Meet the 11 threatened species you are fighting for

These species are the feathered, finned and furry faces of a much larger extinction crisis. They represent hundreds of native animals and plants that are still waiting for the long-overdue Recovery Plans they need to survive. 

The law says Recovery Plans for these species “must” be made. Together, we are fighting to make sure that Environment Ministers—now and in the future—cannot decide that “must” should mean “maybe”.

The case is expected to be heard in October. And when we walk into that courtroom, we will carry your generosity and determination for a future where threatened species have the Recovery Plans they need to step back from the brink of extinction.

Sam Szoke-Burke, our Biodiversity Policy and Campaign Manager, has an update and word of thanks:

“While we are yet to know the outcome of this case, the level of community support and encouragement for this case has been overwhelming. From excited conversations with volunteers in the forests of Victoria, through to global coverage of the case by BBC journalists, it has been energising to see the public reaction and that so many of us view this case as an important step towards the protection of Australia’s unique and often truly weird and wonderful animals. Species extinction and habitat destruction can be a grisly topic to work on but together we are finding the most strategic pathways to compel the government to do its job.”

This is your impact in motion, using legal action to fight government inaction, defending wildlife, and holding governments accountable to strengthen laws that are meant to protect threatened species.

Thank you again. You are changing the story for threatened species.

Words by Amelia Young, National Campaigns Director:

We believe the books we read as children become part of who we are, and can plant a seed for future generations to show up for nature. That’s why, for 31 years, the Wilderness Society has been celebrating excellence in children’s nature books through our Environment Award for Children’s Literature. In 2022, we added the Karajia Award which celebrates connection to Country, language and culture. 

My parents read Leslie Rees’ picture books to me when I was a child. I would eagerly await each page turn to learn more about The Story of Shy the Platypus and The Story of Karrawingi the Emu. With their vivid illustrations, these stories were invitations to see and experience the world as a native animal might do. 

Rees’ books brought together generations: my parents enjoyed reading these stories to me (again and again and again!). And I, in return, loved sharing them with my kid and the next generation, too.
 

Our recently announced 2025 shortlist is brimming with imagination-sparking, curiosity provoking reads. In the dystopian The Apprentice Witnesser by Bren MacDibble, we learn about what the future could look like if we don’t protect nature. In Pat Cummins and Dave Hartley's Mission Wildlife Rescue, Tylissa Elisara’s Wurrtoo, and Taronga Presents: Baby Boom by Kristin Darell, we learn about how teamwork and friendship can help solve big problems and connect us to the places we love.

For 60,000 Years by Marlee Silva, Country by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson, and Our World Full of Wonder by Jevita Nilson, create a sense of awe about the world around us. 

You never know which thing will delight a young reader most: is it the jellyfish the size of a semi-trailer in Jiggliest Jellyfish by Tim Flannery & Emma Flannery, bush survival skills in Ask Aunty: Bush Survival Skills by Aunty Munya Andrews, or nocturnal lives of Australia’s unique wildlife in Nightlife by Sandra Kendall? And these are just a small selection of the fabulous books nominated for this year’s shortlist!—Amelia Young, National Campaigns Director 

Which book would you give to a young reader in your life, and why? 

One lucky supporter will win the entire shortlist—that’s 23 books! Simply answer the above question and provide your contact details [how?]...

Our friends Harry Hartog are also donating 10% of shortlist sales back to the Wilderness Society. Not only will you be picking up the child in your life’s next read, but you will be supporting the next generation of nature lovers. Visit: wilderness.org.au/bookawards

Nature Book Week runs from 11–19 October—the Wilderness Society’s all-ages celebration of nature storytelling. You can hold your own event: a reading in your local library, a nature walk, a drawing class or the launch of a book! Learn more by clicking here!

New South Wales forests provide refuge to endangered species like the greater glider and koala. But native forest logging in NSW is driving these species—and many others—to extinction. It’s also increasing bushfire risk, destroying First Nations cultural heritage and costing taxpayers millions in subsidies each year.

In 2023, NSW Premier Chris Minns made an election promise to establish the Great Koala National Park—a measure necessary to save koalas from extinction in NSW.

Backed by you, we trained volunteers to make phone calls for the Great Koala National Park. In just one week more than 120 people called the NSW Premier Chris Minns to make it clear to him that the people of NSW expect him to deliver on his election promise.

Every half hour for a full week (9am on Monday to 5pm on Friday), Premier Minns received at least one phone call about delivering the park. Together, we demonstrated our power.

Then to keep the pressure on, nearly 4,000 people (and counting!)  have emailed the Premier. 

Here’s what our volunteers had to say:

“I called Premier Chris Minns as I am concerned about the scaling back of the Great Koala National Park and the immense loss of our unique biodiversity if it occurs."—Tahlia Rose Coleman 

“NSW forests are some of the most diverse on Earth. I called Premier Minns to ensure he honors his promise to create the Great Koala National Park to its full extent.”—Chiara Amodio

“NSW forests are home to an array of wildlife species and are a crucial form of carbon storage. I called the Premier to make sure the government is being held accountable for their role in protecting Australia’s natural environment, specifically the Great Koala National park which is currently under threat from native forest logging.”—Heidi Cummings

When we shared these stories on social media, it drew the attention of Sue Higginson MLC, who commented:

"Thank you Tahlia, Chiara and Heidi it is direct pressure that will get the promised GKNP over the line. Without this exact type of pressure the government will slide backwards from the promise they made. 🌳🐨💚🙏🏼"

With your support, we’re making sure our message is in front of the people who need to see it the most— through targeted newspaper advertising.

Days after the election we wanted to get one message across to the newly elected government.

And backed by you, we did!

The weekend after the election, we put a full page ad in the Weekend Australian. The message was simple: Australians expect the new government to do its job—that means protecting the moss carpeted forests, mangroves and bushlands that Aussie wildlife call home.

The ad was made up of thousands of Wilderness Society supporters’ names from all across the continent.

This ad was funded by you, made up of your names, and made sure to highlight to the next government what we will do together. 

If the government continues to fail to do its job to protect Australia’s unique bushlands and wildlife, we will continue to do our job. And that is to expose widespread environmental harm and hold neglectful governments and destructive industries to account.

Australians expect swift and decisive action from the government to preserve the environment. That means strengthening laws, closing loopholes, and prioritising nature. 

Together, we are the Wilderness Society. And when it comes to nature protection: we don’t back down.

In June, the Wilderness Society released new analysis that over the past four years more than a million hectares of Queensland forest and bushland has been destroyed to make way for beef pasture.

To put this in perspective, in the time it takes you to walk the aisles of an average Woolworths, another Woolies-sized patch has been bulldozed.

Yet, it’s not clear if the supermarket giants are fully clocking the urgency of the deforestation crisis and what’s driving it: beef that could be ending up in their stores. 

So not only have thousands of Wilderness Society supporters like you emailed Coles and Woolies to make sure they get the memo, we put a full page ad in the Australian Financial Review on 30 June to let them know that there is no time to waste to set and implement 2025 deforestation-free targets.

As two of the biggest beef buyers in the country, Coles and Woolworths could demand deforestation-free beef. It would have a huge impact on ending the deforestation crisis and helping iconic Aussie animals escape extinction. 

Thanks to your support, this ad is adding public pressure on major supermarket players—Woolworths and Coles—to set and implement deforestation-free commitments.