Recovering Blue Butterflies in Victoria
Community Conservation Grants 2021
- YEAR: 2021
- STATE: Victoria
- FOCUS AREAS: Growing Parks/Saving Species/SDG 15: Life on Land
- YEAR: 2021
- STATE: Victoria
- FOCUS AREAS: Growing Parks/Saving Species/SDG 15: Life on Land
In Victoria, the Small Ant-blue butterfly and the Large Ant-blue butterfly are listed as critically endangered and endangered. These species have seen dramatic declines in population size and distribution over the last few decades and are now on the brink of extinction. There has been no substantive effort to recover or monitor their progress, so Threatened Species Conservancy, in support from Parks Victoria, have been awarded with FNPW’s 2021 Community Conservation Grant to help determine the present population and to protect the butterflies from threats.
FNPW support
This project was funded through generous donations from FNPW supporters across Australia and beyond.
Grant round: Community Conservation Grants 2021
Project overview
This project will be undertaken in Kinglake National Park to save these species from extinction and increase our knowledge of their distribution, threats and ecology. Recovering Blue Butterflies will establish a strategic recovery program by setting up a working group of experts and outlining and a long-term recovery strategy.
This strategy will include a survey of historical records and unverified sightings and surveys of potential habitat. This initial work will provide the recovery plan for a larger project that will encompass all aspects of the species recovery in Victoria. These surveys will be undertaken as a community engagement activity, and all volunteers will be trained in monitoring techniques and butterfly identification.
All threatened species data collected will be uploaded into the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas. A one page report with recommendations will be given to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and Parks Victoria to assist in the management of the National Park and associated species. A recovery strategy will be written that will guide the recovery of the Ant-blue butterflies.
LOCATION
This project is located in Kinglake National Park.
FNPW supports projects across Australia. In the spirit of reconciliation the we acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
PROGRESS OF THIS PROJECT
The project is on-going. Please scroll for progress updates.
This project was funded by FNPW in 2021.
PROJECT PARTNERS
Threatened Species Conservancy is the lead organisation for this project.
Further information about our project partner can be found on their website: