Regional context
Landscapes of the northern coastline are most impacted by human activity, with the greatest impacts within two kilometres of the coast. Land use intensification, industrialisation and population growth are key impacts while climate change and sea level rise increase risks in vulnerable areas.
Community engagement, along with interactive citizen science programs, have been shown to improve conservation outcomes for threatened species impacted by land use change and predation by domestic animals. NRM organisations are well-placed to foster greater community awareness of the impacts on, and importance of, threatened species in local and regional environments. In many cases encouraging behaviour change amongst the wider community can significantly reduce risks and threats to species such as shore-nesting birds, riverine and estuarine species, orchids and birdlife.