Friends of Grasslands
Will the next Federal Environment Minister resist aggression and give Canberra’s Dragon a chance?
Sometime before 20 Feb 2025, Canberra Airport Pty Ltd (CAG) assumed – provocatively, aggressively – that a Federal Environment Minister would make a decision favourable to them.
- With a review examining CAG’s approval for the Northern Road at Canberra Airport still underway, CAG executed a contract and initiated construction of the Northern Road at Canberra Airport fully cognisant they may not be allowed to finish and operate the road.
- See the backstory outlining how CAG came to make this move, which explains why a review that is underway was needed.
On appointment, FOG will argue the [new or continuing] Environment Minster should act to nullify the existential threat facing the Airport population of Canberra Grassland Earless Dragons (Dragons):
- Two Dragons were seen in 2020 (monitoring results since 2021 have not been shared).
- Dragons are good at hiding, i.e., they are likely to still live at Canberra Airport.
- The best part of their habitat is yet to be disturbed.
- Operating the unnecessary road will be an ongoing threat to surviving Dragons.
For more detail unpacking our request of the Minister, check out the article on p. 2 of the latest FOG Newsletter.
ACT government announces Dragon funding: report; Conservation Council/Friends of Grasslands response.
Donations
Thinking of making a tax deductible donation to Friends of Grasslands? Read why you should!
Grasslands and grassy woodlands were the most extensive vegetation community in Australia two hundred years ago. Today, some grassland communities in south-eastern Australia are more threatened than Australian rainforests. How can that be?
Friends of Grasslands ('FoG' for short) is a community group dedicated to conservation of natural temperate grassy ecosystems in south-eastern Australia. FoG advocates, educates and advises on matters to do with the conservation of grassy ecosystems, and carries out surveys and other on-ground work. FoG is based in Canberra and its members include professional scientists, landowners, land managers and interested members of the public.
Activities and Events
FoG members help to conserve grasslands through hands-on projects, working parties, a newsletter and education work. Current events are outlined in the FoG Calendar.
Join FoG, help grasslands and get to meet interesting and knowledgeable people. Membership is open to everyone with an interest in grasslands.
What is a grassland and why are grasslands important?
Friends of Grasslands attempts to persuade governments and landholders to protect and conserve grasslands.
Need to know more about grasslands? Get help on the science of grasslands, legal matters, grassland management and growing your own grassland.
Find out about FoG's legal structure, management, aims, objectives, principles and values.
Need to know more or have something to say? Here are our contact details.
Feedback on this website is most welcome: Contact Us with your comments and suggestions.
FoG is on Facebook too.
Want to make a tax deductible donation to support grassland? Friends of Grasslands makes small grants to researchers, educators and on ground projects, a highly effective way to support grassy ecosystems. To support this, you can make a tax-deductible donation to the Friends of Grasslands Public Fund by:
- Direct debit: BSB 633000, a/c 153493960 (Bendigo bank), please include your name and advise our treasurer: treasurer@fog.org.au.
- Cheque: payable to "Friends of Grasslands Public Fund", mail to Treasurer, Friends of Grasslands Inc., PO box 440, Jamison Centre, ACT 2614. Include your name and postal address.
A receipt for tax purposes will be sent to you. Thank you.