The EPA releases the SA State of the Environment Report at least once every 5 years. It aims to inform South Australians about the current state of their environment and provides an assessment of our efforts to deal with significant environmental issues.

Highlights from the 2018 SA State of the Environment Report include:

• Considerable reductions to the available habitat of many species is projected in the future. Some species may suffer a complete loss of habitat, which would greatly increase their risk of extinction.
• Over 12% of South Australian plants and animals are threatened; this trend is worsening.
• Targeted large-scale habitat restorations are urgently needed to reverse current trends in biodiversity loss and effectively adapt to the effects of a changing climate.
• Only 30% of landscapes in South Australia are adequately protected—from just 8% of land in the Northern and Yorke region. In five of the regions, protection is 30% or less.
• Private land conservation plays an integral role and requires effective integration of national and state support programs.
• Appropriate prioritisation of investment and targeting of efforts relies on robust evaluation of the effectiveness of conservation policies and programs.

This report is one of many tools which has guided the prioritisation of SANA objectives.

The South Australian Nature Alliance works to contribute globally to the 17 UN sustainable development goals as well as a number of International agreements. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a call to action for all countries to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. The SDGs recognise that tackling climate change and protecting our land and water goes hand-in-hand with strategies that address social needs including education, health, social protection, the elimination of poverty and creation of opportunities for sustainable jobs.

The work of SA Nature Alliance members is informed by the Nature of SA, project which identified 9 crucial shifts in our thinking, action and approach that will enable our sector to respond most effectively to the rapid changes facing our natural world and communities.

1. Understand that our landscapes and wildlife co-evolved with Aboriginal people

Learn from First Nation’s knowledge, wisdom and relationship with Country and embed this into our work.

2. Strengthen our collective narrative around nature

Celebrate our unique connection with nature and how it underpins our health, culture and economy as integral to being South Australian.

3. Hold onto what’s working

Acknowledge that many of our existing approaches are working and will work in future and must continue to be supported.

4. Value nature in all its forms

Recognise the value of nature in a range of landscapes and that nature means different things to different people, embracing this diversity.

5. Be future focused

Think deeply about what values and functions we are trying to sustain in our landscapes as ­restoring our ecosystems to a pre-European state will become less viable.

6. Decision making requires consideration of values, rules and knowledge

Embrace creative and collaborative decision-making that incorporates values, evidence and societal standards.

7. We have to learn to change

Building a learning mind-set into all our work will be essential as we navigate a more uncertain world.

8. A resilience conservation sector is critical

Investing in our people, future workforce and organisations to ensure we have a connected and healthy conservation sector with the skills we need

9. Remember what we love about nature and start there

Communicating from a place of love and hope to tap into people’s intrinsic love of nature.