Cape York wetlands and native vegetation resilience

Cape York Peninsula’s wetlands, waterways and native vegetation are under increasing pressure from invasive species including feral pigs, unmanaged cattle, olive hymenachne, as well as gamba grass and other high-biomass grasses. 

These invasive species degrade water quality, erode streambanks, damage native habitat and threaten endangered species. Without coordinated control, the ecological health and cultural values of these landscapes will continue to decline.

​The Cape York Wetlands and Native Vegetation Resilience project is working in partnership with land managers, Traditional Owners, Indigenous ranger groups and other key stakeholders to improve the condition and resilience of wetlands and native vegetation across Cape York through coordinated, landscape-scale control of priority weeds and feral animals.

​Control efforts will focus on high-value wetlands, riparian areas and remnant vegetation most at risk from invasive species. Effective invasive species management will also deliver biodiversity benefits by improving critical habitat for threatened species and protecting threatened ecological communities.