The Saving our Species program fulfils the functions of the Biodiversity Conservation Program.
The Saving our Species program consists of:
- strategies to achieve the objectives of the program in relation to each threatened species and threatened ecological community
- a framework to guide the setting of priorities for implementing the strategies
- a process for monitoring and reporting on the overall outcomes and effectiveness of the program.
The Saving our Species program includes the Public register of conservation strategies.
Strategies to minimise the impacts of key threatening processes may be, but are not required to be, included in the program.
Strategies are developed within 2 years for each newly listed species or ecologically protected community within the Act.
Review of the Saving our Species program
Section 4.37 of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 requires the Environment Agency Head to review the outcomes and effectiveness of the Biodiversity Conservation Program every 5 years and prepare and publish a report of the review.
The Biodiversity Conservation Program is currently delivered through the Saving our Species program.
A review of the Saving our Species program between 2016–21 has been completed:
- Saving Our Species program review 2016–21
- Clear Horizon Consulting – Saving our Species 2016–2021 program evaluation.
Since the review was undertaken, an independent panel has reviewed the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. The independent review considered the Saving our Species program and made recommendations. These recommendations, along with the government's response to that review, will inform continued design and improvement of the program.
The independent review report and the NSW Government’s response are available at:
- Independent Review of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016
- NSW plan for nature: NSW Government response the reviews of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.
Amendments
The Environment Department Head may amend or replace a strategy or other component of the Saving our Species program at any time.