Conserving the Vulnerable Richmond Birdwing Butterfly
The Richmond birdwing butterfly (Vulnerable, Nature Conservation Act 1992) is a very large, colorful native butterfly that is endemic to South East Queensland. This butterfly is at risk of extinction.
This project will create essential breeding habitat for the Richmond birdwing butterfly at the Wolffdene and Nerang Heidelberg Materials Australia quarry sites to benefit native invertebrate biodiversity, while making a key contribution to important threatened species recovery actions for the Richmond birdwing. Richmond birdwing butterfly conservation promotes a fundamental message to the wider community that species of all sizes and shapes are important to conserve, or we risk losing them forever. Returning this vulnerable, large and beautiful butterfly species to one that is commonly observed in South East Queensland backyards is entirely possible.
Project pathway:
- Undertake consultation with Heidelberg Materials Australia quarry representatives and relevant quarry-specific ecological contractors, and conduct desktop habitat mapping to understand the most appropriate, available locations at the Wolffdene and Nerang quarries to establish breeding habitat.
- Plant and maintain a population of birdwing butterfly vines (critical to the reproduction of the butterfly) at both quarries, and monitor for signs of butterfly breeding activity.
Create a working model to replicate this project on other Heidelberg Materials Australia quarry sites within the range of the Richmond birdwing butterfly.
