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Pushing the Boundaries:
Facilitation Frontiers
Charles Sturt University, Bathurst - New South Wales, Australia 26-28 November 2008
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The timing of the AFN Conference in late November means we will be too late to observe the seasonal flight of one of the rarest butterflies in Australia, which forms part of the Conference banner. In sunny conditions the butterfly in flight flashes shiny copper wings with a display of iridescent purple, orange and green. The Bathurst Copperwing (Paraculia spinifera) is found in areas between Bathurst and Lithgow, around 900m (2900ft) in elevation.
The Bathurst Copperwing has the dubious distinction of being the only butterfly listed under NSW legislation as an endangered species. This arose due to impact on its habitat of overgrazing, wildfire, weeds, and the clearing of land, including removal of its host plant the blackthorn (Bursaria spinosa). It was further threatened by butterfly collectors. Less than 40 small populations are known to exist, in areas less than 3ha (7 acres) and isolated from each other by farmland and pine plantations.
The species has been brought back from the brink through the combined efforts of many partners. Bush regeneration has removed weeds and allowed recolonisation from adjacent areas, while replanting of Blackthorn and other indigenous plants has increased the area and quality of suitable habitat. An important aspect of the recovery effort is that it has become a 'flagship' for rescuing other endangered invertebrates.
Community engagement has been vital to the success of this recovery effort, through weeding days, school and community information days, training workshops on suitable local plants, reporting sightings and raising funds for conservation work. The species has been adopted as a local icon, with a bus shelter mural being painted, and the area of its habitat has become known as 'Copperwing Country'.
Acceptance of the Bathurst Copperwing as an icon is thought to have greatly assisted its conservation, and the recovery effort is cited as a case example of a program which is led and driven by the community, with support from government and corporate interests.
For additional backgrond see:
The species was also adopted as the logo for the Bathurst Regional Council to reflect the region and to symbolise some of the environmental issues.
http://www.threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/tsprofile/profile.aspx?id=10586
http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/PDFs/TSprofile_Bathust_copper_butterfly.pdf
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