The progress made then is now undone. Forest and woodland destruction has resumed at increasingly high rates. This return of large-scale deforestation to Australia risks further irreversible environmental consequences of international significance. Today, scientists from across the world (including those listed), in conjunction with scientific societies and the delegates of the Society for Conservation Biology (Oceania) Conference, call upon Australian governments and parliaments, especially those of Queensland and New South Wales, to take action. We call for the prevention of a return to the damaging past of high rates of woodland and forest destruction, in order to protect the unique biodiversity and marine environments of which Australia is sole custodian. Signatories Scientific Societies Scientists Name Affiliation Position Associate Professor Martine Maron The University of Queensland, Australia ARC Future Fellow and Associate Professor Professor Christopher Dickman The University of Sydney, Australia Professor in Ecology Professor Richard Kingsford Society for Conservation Biology (Oceania Section); Centre for Ecosystem Science, The University of New South Wales President; Director, Centre for Ecosystem Science Professor Hugh Possingham The University of Queensland, Australia ARC Laureate Fellow; Director, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science Associate Professor James Watson Wildlife Conservation Society; The University of Queensland, Australia; Society for Conservation Biology Director, Science and Research, WCS; President, Society for Conservation Biology Professor John Woinarski Charles Darwin University, Australia Professor
Professor Carla Catterall Griffith University, Australia Professor in Ecology, Griffith School of Environment Professor Andrew Balmford University of Cambridge, UK Professor of Conservation Science Professor Andrew F. Bennett La University, Australia Professor of Ecology, Department of Ecology, Environment & Evolution Professor Barry Fox The University of New Wales, Australia Visiting Professor Professor Bob Pressey James Cook University, Australia Distinguished Research Professor and Program Leader, Conservation Planning Professor Brendan Mackey Griffith Climate Change Response Program, Griffith University Director Professor Charles J. Krebs The University of Canberra, Australia Professor of Ecology Professor Johnson University of Tasmania, Australia Professor of Wildlife Conservation, School of Biological Sciences Professor Clive McAlpine The University of Queensland, Australia Professor, School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management Professor Corey J. A. Bradshaw The University of Adelaide, Australia Professor, School of Biological Sciences; Sir Hubert Wilkins of Climate Change Professor David B. Lindenmayer The Australian National University, Australia Professor of Ecology and Conservation Biology Professor David Goldney Charles Sturt Univeristy, Australia Adjunct Professor Professor David M. Watson Charles Univeristy, Australia Professor of Ecology Professor Don Driscoll Deakin University, Australia Professor of Ecology, Deakin University, Australia Professor George Wilson The Australian National University, Australia Professor Professor Glenda Wardle The University of Sydney, Australia Professor in Ecology and Evolution, Desert Ecology Research Group, School of Life
and Environmental Sciences Professor Gordon University of Queensland, Australia Emeritus Professor of Zoology Professor Graciela Metternicht The University of New South Wales, Australia Professor in Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Hamish McCallum Griffith University, Australia Acting Dean Research Griffith Sciences Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick The University of Tasmania, Australia Distinguished Professor in Geography and Spatial Sciences, School of Land and Food Professor Kate Buchanan Deakin University, Australia Professor of Ecology and Animal Behaviour Professor Libby Robin The Australian National University, Australia Environmental Historian, Fenner School of Environment and Society Professor Marc Hockings The University of Queensland, Australia Deputy Head, School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management Professor Michael Archer AM, FAS, DistFRSN, FRZS, FACE, FWAAS The University of New Wales, Australia Professor Professor Michael McCarthy The University of Melbourne, Australia Professor Professor Mike Clarke La Trobe University, Australia Professor of Zoology, School of Life Sciences Professor Neil Burgess University of Copenhagen, Denmark Professor Professor Peter Valentine James Cook University, Australia Adjunct Professor, College of Marine and Environmental Science Professor Mac Nally The University of Canberra, Australia Centenary Professor of Ecology, Institute for Applied Ecology
Professor Richard Duncan The University of Canberra, Australia Centenary Professor of Ecology, Institute for Applied Ecology Professor Richard G. Pearson James Cook University, Australia Emeritus Professor, College of Science and Engineering Professor Richard J. Hobbs The University of Western Australia, Australia IAS Distinguished Fellow, School of Plant Biology Professor Rick Shine The University of Sydney, Australia Professor of Biology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences Professor Stephen Garnett Charles Darwin University, Australia Professor of Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods Professor Stuart Bunn Griffith University, Australia Director, Australian Rivers Institute Professor Stuart Phinn The University of Queensland, Australia Director, Remote Sensing Research Centre Professor William F. Laurance James Cook University, Australia Distinguished Research Professor and ARC Laureate Fellow Adjunct Associate Professor Ian Lunt Charles Sturt University, Australia Adjunct Associate Professor, Insitute for Land, Water and Society Associate Professor Alan York The University of Melbourne, Australia Research Leader, Fire Ecology and Biodiversity Group; Associate Professor, School of Forest and Ecosystem Sciences Associate Professor Brendan Wintle University of Melbourne, Australia ARC Future Fellow Associate Professor E. Charles Morris The University of Western Sydney, Australia Associate Professor, School of Science and Health Associate Professor Gilianne Brodie The University of the Pacific, Fiji Associate Professor Associate Professor Jonathan Rhodes The University of Queensland, Australia Associate Professor, School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management
Dr. Angie Haslem La Trobe University, Australia Research Fellow Dr. Anna McConville Echo Ecology, Australia Ecologist; Director Dr. Anne Kerle Kerle Environmental, Australia Consultant Ecologist Dr. April Reside The University of Queensland, Australia Post-doctoral Research Fellow Dr. Ascelin Gordon RMIT University, Australia Senior Research Fellow Dr. Ascelin Gordon RMIT University, Australia Senior Research Fellow, Global, Urban and Social Studies Dr. Ayesha Tulloch The Australian National University, Australia Research Fellow, Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment Dr. Barbara Stewart Landmark Ecological Services, Australia Director, Consultant Ecologist Dr. Barry Baker The University of Tasmania, Australia Researcher, Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies Dr. Berndt J. van Rensburg The University of Queensland, Australia Lecturer, Conservation Biology Dr. Brian English Land Dr. Bruce Thomson Redleaf Environmental Consultants, Australia Director Dr. Carissa The University of Queensland, Australia Research Fellow Dr. Carly Cook Monash University, Australia Lecturer in Ecology, School of Biological Sciences Dr. Christopher Ives Leuphana University Lüneburg, Germany Post-doctoral Researcher, Faculty of Sustainability Dr. Dan Lunney The University of Sydney, Australia Adjunct Professor Dr. Wong The University of Canberra, Australia Research Affiliate Dr. Diana Fisher The University of Queensland, Australia ARC Future Fellow and Senior Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences Dr. Dilys Roe International Institute for Environment and Development, UK Principal Researcher and Team Leader (Biodiversity)
Dr. Leonie Valentine The University of Western Australia, Australia Post-doctoral Research Fellow, School of Plant Biology Dr. Luis Mata RMIT University, Australia Research Fellow, National Environment Science Programme Dr. Marissa Parrott Zoos Victoria, Australia Reproductive Biologist Dr. Martin Denny Ecological Consultants Association of NSW, Australia President Dr. Martin Predavec Royal Zoological Society of NSW President; Project Officer Dr. Barnes The University of Hawaii, Hawaii, USA and The University of Queensland, Australia Post-doctoral Research Fellow Dr. Melanie Massaro Charles Sturt University, Australia Lecturer Dr. Michelle Bassett Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Australia Biodiversity Officer Dr. Naomi Davis The University of Melbourne, Australia Honorary Research Fellow, School of BioSciences Dr. Nathalie Butt The University of Queensland, Australia ARC Research Fellow Dr. Neil Perry The University of Western Sydney, Australia Research Lecturer in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability, School of Business Dr. Neville D. Crossman CSIRO Land and Water, Australia Principal Research Scientist Dr. Nicola Mitchell The University of Western Australia, Australia Senior Lecturer Dr. Noel Preece James Cook University, Australia Adjunct Principal Research Fellow Dr. Pat Hutchings Zoological Society of NSW, Australia Senior Vice President Dr. Paul G. McDonald The University of New England, Australia Senior Lecturer and Zoology Convenor Dr. Peeters Paperbark Writer, Australia Paperbark Writer Dr. Perpetua Turner The University of Tasmania, Australia Honorary Associate
Dr. Peter Scanes New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, Australia Scientist Dr. Peter Smith P. & J. Smith Ecological Consultants, Australia Principal Dr. Rachael Nolan The University of Technology Sydney, Australia Post-doctoral Research Associate, Terrestrial Ecohydrology Research School of Life Sciences Dr. Richard Donaghey Griffith University, Australia Adjunct Research Fellow Dr. Robert Davis Edith Cowan University, Australia Senior Lecturer in Vertebrate Biology, School of Science Dr. Ronda Green Griffith University, Australia Adjunct Research Fellow, Environmental Futures Research Institute Dr. Rosalynn Ministry for the Environment, New Zealand Analyst Dr. Sarah Legge The Australian National University, Australia Associate Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment Dr. Sigrid Heise-Pavlov The School for Studies, Australia Faculty/Researcher Dr. Simon Attwood Bioversity International, Malaysia Component Leader, Ecological Intensification and Diversification Dr. Stephen Ambrose Ambrose Ecological Services Pty Ltd, Australia Director and Principal Ecologist Dr. Stephen Bell The University of Newcastle, Australia Conjoint Fellow, School of Environmental and Life Sciences Dr. Stephen Debus The University of New England, Australia Adjunct Lecturer, Division of Zoology Dr. Stephen M. Turton Central Queensland University, Australia Adjunct Professor, Environmental Sciences Dr. Steve Leonard La Trobe University, Australia Research Fellow, Department of
Ecology, Environment and Evolution Dr. Stuart Butchart Birdlife International, United Kingdom Scientist Dr. Tara Martin The University of Queensland, Australia Adjunct Professor; Principal Research Scientist Dr. Tein McDonald Ecological Society of Australia Editor, Ecological Management and Restoration Dr. Tim Curran Lincoln University, New Zealand Senior Lecturer in Ecology, Department of Ecology Dr. Tim Doherty Deakin University, Australia Research Fellow, Centre for Integrative Ecology Dr. Toby Gardner Stockholm Environment Institute, Sweden Senior Research Fellow Dr. Tom The University of New South Wales, Australia Adjunct Senior Lecturer Dr. Ursula Ellengerg La Trobe University, Australia Lecturer Dr. Vanessa Adams The University of Queensland, Australia Post-doctoral Fellow Benjamin Sipa Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program, Papua New Guinea Livelihoods and Community Development Manager Beth Brunton The University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia PhD Candidate Brett Parker Griffith University, Australia PhD Candidate Catalina Amaya-Perilla Sirtrack, Australia Telemetry Specialist Charlotte Simpson-Yang The University of New South Wales, Australia PhD Candidate Colleen Corrigen The University of Queensland, Australia PhD Candidate David Boseto Ecological Solutions, Solomon Islands Community Officer David Butcher Retired David Milledge Landmark Ecological Services, Australia Director Eddy Cannella BIOSTAT Pty Ltd, Australia Direction and Principal Zoologist Emeritus Professor F. Recher, FRZS, AM Edith Cowan University, Australia Emeritus Professor Eric Vanderduys Australia Project Officer Guy Dutson Biodiversity Solutions, Australia Principal
Noelke Self Employed Hernan Coceres The University of Queensland, Australia PhD Candidate Ian Cranwell Retired Ian Temby The University of Melbourne, Australia Honorary Fellow Janice May Wildlife Biologist Jean Thomas Tenkile Conservation Alliance, Papua New Guinea Director Jens Froese The University of Queensland, Australia Research Higher Degree Student Jessica Cappadonna Queensland University of Technology, Australia PhD Candidate Jessica Miller The University of Queensland, Australia Masters Student Joseph Adair Adair Ecological Solutions, Australia Principal Ecologist Kaipo Dye The University of Hawaii, Hawaii, USA PhD Candidate Kuna Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program, Papua New Guinea Conservation Strategies Manager Katy Wilkins The University of New Wales, Australia Research Assistant Kerrie Fraser The University of Queensland, Australia PhD Candidate Lorna Hernandez The University of Queensland, Australia PhD Candidate Martine Kinloch Natural Resources Kangaroo Island, Australia Natural Resource/Conservation Manager Michael Magrath Zoos Victoria, Australia Research Manager Michael Smith Shoalhaven Council, Australia Threatened Species Officer Miss Christina Zdenek The University of Queensland, Australia PhD Candidate Miss Clare Lawrence Charles Sturt University, Australia PhD Candidate Miss Emma Gray Queensland University of Technology, Australia PhD Candidate Miss Hannah Wauchope The University of Queensland, Australia Research Assistant Miss Jessica Stubbs The University of Western Australia, Australia PhD Candidate
Mrs Rachel England Australian National University, Australia Higher Degree Research Student Mrs Stephanie K. Courtney Jones The University of Wollongong, Australia PhD Candidate, Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions Mrs Wendy The University of Sydney, Australia Lecturer Ms Wilson Lincoln University, New Zealand Senior Lecturer (Retired) Ms Margaret Hawkins Taronga Conservation Society Australia Behavioural Biologist Emeritus Ms. Caroline Cordonis The University of Wollongong, Australia PhD Candidate Ms. Chantelle Derez The University of Queensland, Australia Masters Student Ms. Charlotte Mills The University of New South Wales, Australia PhD Candidate Ms. Claire Sives The University of New Wales, Australia PhD Candidate Ms. Reynolds The University of Wollongong, Australia Honours Student Ms. Florence Damiens RMIT University, Australia PhD Candidate, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group Ms. Jennifer McGowan The University of Queensland, Australia PhD Candidate Ms. Laura Mumaw RMIT University, Australia PhD Candidate, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group, Centre for Urban Research Ms. Liz Gould Healthy Waterways and Catchments, Australia Science and Innovation Coordinator Ms. Megan Evans The University of Queensland, Australia Research Fellow Ms. Melissa Walsh Marine Conservation Finance Consulting, Australia Director Ms. Nicole Shumway The University of Queensland, Australia PhD Candidate Ms. Fea Victoria University, New Zealand PhD Candidate Ms. Rebecca Groenewegen The University of Melbourne, Australia Masters Graduate/Tutor
Ms. Stephanie Pulsford Australian National University, Australia PhD Candidate Ms. Tanya Pritchard Queensland For Nature, Australia Conservation Manager Ms. Victoria Hemming The University of Melbourne, Australia PhD Candidate Ms. Viviana Gonzalez The University of Queensland, Australia PhD Candidate Rachael Collett The University of Queensland, Australia PhD Candidate Rick Webster Ecosurveys Pty Ltd, Australia Director Samantha Reynolds The University of Queensland, Australia Honours Student Stephanie Avery-Gomm The University of Queensland, Australia PhD Candidate Stephanie Borrelle Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand PhD Candidate Steven McLeod Orange Agricultural Institute, Australia Senior Research Scientist, Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Department of Primary Industries Thomas Mutton Queensland University of Technology, Australia PhD Candidate Veira Pulekera Solomon Islands Community Conservation Solomon Islands Community Officer Angela Recalde Curtin University, Australia PhD Candidate Annett Finger Victoria University, Australia PhD Candidate Dr Jennifer Taylor Australian Catholic University Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science [1] 2015; https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/vegetation/mapping/slats-reports/ [2] Draft Biodiversity Conservation Bill 2016 & Draft Local Land Services Amendment Bill 2016 ; Chee, 2013 3 WWF 2015 4 Brown et al. 2008; Garnett et al. 2011; State of the Environment Committee 2011 Chapter 8 Biodiversity; Bradshaw 2012; Ritchie et al. 2013