Unique environmental partnership blitzes WA’s Charles Darwin Reserve

An innovative seven-day ‘species discovery blitz’ in the West Australian outback this week is expected to lead to the discovery of new flora and fauna and valuable knowledge about Australia’s rich and unexplored biodiversity.

The environmental not-for-profit Earthwatch Australia and leading Australian iron ore supplier BHP Billiton Iron Ore have joined forces for the blitz, which is a pioneering method for discovery and managing Australia’s unique flora and fauna. Scientists from around Australia will systematically scour Bush Heritage Australia’s Charles Darwin Reserve to map, identify and name both rare species and those currently unknown to science.

The project is strongly endorsed by Charles Darwin’s great-great grandson Chris Darwin, who gifted the
Reserve to Bush Heritage Australia in 2003 and is taking part in the blitz to mark the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth and 150 years since the publication of On the Origin of Species.

“We should be doing a much better job of protecting our magnificent and diverse wildlife,” Chris says. “But we can’t do that until we have a better picture of what we have and where. Like Charles Darwin, who completed the world’s first biodiversity survey in his local meadow in 1855, it is vital that we first discover, map and name the fauna and flora that’s out there.

“At 68,600 hectares, the Charles Darwin Reserve is larger than 20 countries in the world, and an intensive species discovery blitz is an exciting new way to help discover and manage this biodiversity hotspot. The blitz will also rapidly expand our knowledge and support Bush Heritage Australia's conservation outcomes on the reserve."

Located 355 kilometres north-east of Perth, Charles Darwin Reserve lies within a global biodiversity hotspot: one of only 25 areas worldwide that in total hold around 50 per cent of the planet’s terrestrial biodiversity but cover only 2 per cent of the land area. The blitz is likely to lead to the discovery of species new to science, potentially including new lizards, snakes, insects, flowering plants and other fauna and flora.

In addition to the discovery of new species and scientific information, the species discovery blitz showcases the benefits environmental-corporate partnerships hold for the Australian environment. Ten BHP Billiton Iron Ore volunteers are involved on the ground.

Richard Gilmore, Earthwatch Australia’s Executive Director says: “The project demonstrates the effectiveness of engaging volunteers as ‘citizen scientists’ in conservation research. The involvement of BHP Billiton Iron Ore and their employees demonstrates the potential cross-sector partnerships hold for achieving common environmental goals”.

BHP Billiton Iron Ore Sustainability Vice President, Carl Binning said BHP Billiton Iron Ore is delighted to be a part of this unique species discovery program:

“We are thrilled to be supporting this blitz, which provides the community with a unique insight and a better understanding of the biodiversity of one of Western Australia’s iconic national reserves,” he says.

"As a company, we are committed to sustainable development and social responsibility, and believe we have a critical role to play in the environmental development of our communities. We pursue this through the effective management of health, safety, environment and community activities like the blitz."

Chris Darwin says he hopes this species discovery blitz will be the first of many: “Scientists estimate that the majority of Australia’s unique animals are yet to be discovered. Future species discovery blitzes are essential in informing scientists, government and the environmental sector about the best ways to protect and manage our natural heritage so our great-great grandchildren can enjoy it.”