With climate change posing urgent threats to the region’s biodiversity, the Geelong Field Naturalist Club (GNFC) decided they needed a clear policy to guide how they would continue to advocate for consideration of climate impacts on biodiversity.

The GFNC is engaged in on-ground activities to monitor, protect, enhance and restore the regions native flora and fauna. They conduct field studies, habitat restoration and participate in environmental management partnerships with regional authorities.

As a regionally active community group engaged in the public climate change discussion, they decided that formulating a clear policy on climate change could enhance their advocacy and policy informing efforts. They wanted to ensure that the policy addressing climate change related impacts on biodiversity conservation is appropriate and considered in the regional and broader context.

The GFNC had been relying on the ability of members to navigate through the advocacy and policy debate process. This was ineffective and confusing. Two options for a more effective response were considered:

• Developing a brief statement outlining the GFNC position on the issue
• Develop an agreed detailed policy to guide all future actions.

The GFNC chose the second option and through consultation with members, developed a policy that recognises the current impact and future threats posed by climate change to Australia’s flora and fauna.

In particular, they saw that the observational and surveying skills and experience of group members could play a useful region-wide role in monitoring habitat and species change that are occurring due to the influence of climate change. Data collected by members can guide adaptive response actions to maintain biodiversity of species across the region.

The policy has provided clear direction for the GFNC in its role as an advocate for climate action and as a steward of the region’s biodiversity.

Call to Action

The community can play an active role in increasing our understanding of climate change impacts, particularly for vulnerable species and habitats. Citizen science is great way to get involved in action on climate change.

IMAGE: GFNC Field Trip