Banksia Award

The Penguin Foundation has proudly supported the conservation efforts for Eastern Barred Bandicoot populations for more than two years. We are very proud to share that, together with partners at Conservation Volunteers Australia, Tiverton Property Partnering, Zoos Victoria, Mt Rothwell, University of Melbourne, and the Commonwealth Government, the achievements of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot Recovery team were recognised at the recent Banksia Sustainability Awards. The team were finalists for the Biodiversity Award. The nomination follows on from the successful conservation work resulting in the reclassification of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot from Extinct in the wild to Endangered in Victoria. This award acknowledges the recovery process, and the opportunities it presents to flora and fauna recovery projects across the country, with the Eastern Barred Bandicoot program demonstrating a successful approach to species recovery based upon a good understanding of critical threats, a clear and costed plan, and appropriate funding. Whilst the team did not win this year, reaching the finals was an outstanding achievement. To support this ongoing work, please consider symbolically adopting a wild Eastern Barred Bandicoot at Phillip Island (Millowl). Bandicoot guardians contribute to securing a brighter future for these critically endangered marsupials by supporting population recovery efforts on Phillip Island.