Every year on 7 September, Threatened Species Day reminds us of the precious plants and animals at risk of being lost forever—and the important role we all play in their recovery.
While the day marks the anniversary of the extinction of the Tasmanian tiger, it also calls us to action: to protect and restore the habitats of the species that still share our local landscapes. Here in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region, we’re fortunate to live alongside an incredible diversity of native wildlife. Sadly, many of these species are threatened. From coastal birds and marine life to forest-dwelling mammals, each one is part of the balance that makes our environment healthy and resilient. Protecting them means protecting the places we all call home.
Celebrating local species
As part of our commitment, Council’s education team publishes a monthly article spotlighting a different threatened species native to our region. These stories are designed to help our community learn more about the animals and plants around us—and the small steps we can all take to support their survival. Head to our ConntectED blog section, search ‘Threatened Species’ to explore them all.
Good news for threatened species
This Threatened Species Day, we’re also celebrating some exciting local wins. Recent spotting of two species that have features in our Threatened Species of the Month series have made the news, with one of them spotted in our own local government area!
Regent Honeyeaters spotted at Jolly Nose
A rare sighting of one of Australia’s most endangered birds was recorded right here on the Mid North Coast. A birdwatching group, meeting at Jolly Nose Mountain, were delighted when they spotted two Regent Honeyeaters in a tree from the carpark as they arrived for a day out bird spotting. With only around 300 Regent Honeyeaters estimated as being left in the wild, this discovery offers hope for the survival of the species and highlights the value of protecting local bushland. ABC news reported the exciting news early last month. Read the ABC story to learn more about the local spotting
Southern Myotis colony discovered in Illawarra
Spotlighted as our April 2025 threatened species of the month, was the Southern Myotis. Researchers from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) in Wollongong have recently identified a new colony of this threatened fishing bat further south than previously realised. This is a positive sign that the species is more widespread than once thought.
Back in 2022 a colony of myotis were identified living under Rawdon bridge when bridge repair was required. Read our article from March 2022 detailing how Council achieved the repair while ensuring the colony remained protected.
How you can help
- Learn about the threatened species living in your area.
- Support local conservation initiatives and habitat restoration.
- Protect natural spaces by sticking to paths, keeping dogs on leads, and reducing waste.
- Share what you learn—every conversation helps build awareness
Keep an eye on our monthly threatened species articles by signing up to the Environment Matters newsletter to discover more about the incredible native plants and animals in our region.
