PROJECT OVERVIEW

The wildlife of the Sunshine Coast is threatened by increasing human population growth, rapid development and expanding habitat loss and fragmentation. Development is proceeding in the absence of sufficient biological information to inform land use and wildlife management decisions. Many taxonomic groups have never been systematically surveyed. Information is urgently needed to guide conservation of wildlife, and in particular threatened and endangered species.

Of distinct concern are bats, amphibians, and Western painted turtles, for which extremely limited surveys have been conducted. As a result, even basic information is lacking. For much of the Sunshine Coast, we have yet to determine which species are present, map species distributions, or evaluate foraging, nesting or roosting habitat use and requirements. By conducting comprehensive faunal surveys, with a focus on threatened species and areas of conservation concern, we will provide essential information about species distribution, abundance, and habitat associations.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Goal A: To help maintain, conserve and enhance wildlife diversity on the Sunshine Coast by:

• Identifying important breeding, foraging, roosting, and nesting habitat for different species
• Mapping the distribution of species-at-risk and introduced species
  

Goal B: To convert project findings into management actions by:

• Identifying and prioritizing key sites for conservation of wildlife, and exploring various conservation tools to protect these areas
  
• Distributing project findings and habitat-management recommendations to land managers and agencies, government, industry, First Nations, conservation organizations, and the general scientific community

Goal C: To raise awareness and foster support for conservation of wildlife habitat on the Sunshine Coast by:

• Undertaking public outreach activities emphasizing the ecological importance and habitat needs of native wildlife species and the importance of conservation and habitat enhancement initiatives
• Providing community members and university and college students with a hands-on opportunity to participate in the wildlife research activities