Our wildlife, environment and economy is facing a huge challenge. The red imported fire ant is one of the worst invasive species in the world, and they are here in big numbers.

In Australia there are concerns for many native species that are declining already from other impacts, including threatened turtles, crocodiles, lizards, frogs, and ground-dwelling birds such as the malleefowl, black-breasted button-quail and plains wanderer, among many others.

The Federal Environment Department says that, if established, the economic impact of fire ants “is predicted to surpass the combined effects of pests regarded as Australia’s worst invasive species—feral cats, feral pigs, foxes, camels, rabbits and cane toads.”

Australia has a record of success in combating several invasive species if tackled early. The Invasive Species Council is leading the advocacy for an aggressive campaign to tackle this current and growing environmental threat. This includes a citizen science mobile app so you can do your own ID.

Campaign support, The Invasive Species Council. $2,500, July 2025.

Learn more at https://invasives.org.au/

Our native wildlife faces daily threats from land clearing, invasive species, human interactions and increasingly - natural disasters.

One novel and highly effective approach to address all of these is to take veterinary care to the places of need.

That’s part of the approach Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital takes. They are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, with the veterinary hospital operating inside a custom-built, semi-trailer - Australia’s only Mobile Wildlife Hospital!

Their work is deeply embedded in education and science - and are one of ten national sentinel clinics, investigating diseases impacting wildlife, biosecurity, trade and human health.

Core funding, Byron Bay Animal Hospital. $2,500, July 2025.

Learn more at https://www.byronbaywildlifehospital.org/