Since Australia was colonised in 1788, some 125 plant and animal species or subspecies are known to have become extinct. More mammals have died out in Australia in the last 200 years than in any other continent. Today, more than 360 of our animal species, and around 1240 species of plants are considered threatened.
In New South Wales more than 950 native plants and animals are threatened. The challenge for the NSW community is to halt the decline of these species and assist in their recovery.
In NSW threatened species, populations and ecological communities are protected by the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act (with the exception of fish and marine plants). These species are listed on the schedules of the Threatened Species Conservation Act. The schedules are maintained by an independent Scientific Committee . Anyone can make a nomination to the Scientific Committee to add, remove or change the status of a species.
The Threatened Species Act provides for the identification, conservation and recovery of threatened species and their populations and ecological communities. It also aims to reduce the threats faced by those species. The NSW Department of Environment and Conservation administers the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act.