Many people have been involved in the preparation of this document. Thanks to Diana Patterson, Jennifer Woolcott, Gerard O’Neill, Don Hough, Ralph Chapman, Tim Cummins, and the team of willing workers in the Flora and Fauna Program of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Also Roxanne and Greg Oakley, Michele Kohout, Tim Allen, John Wheatley, Louise Bradley and the photographers listed below for their invaluable contributions.

Fine art credits: *J. & E. Gould **Michele Kohout. Foreword* Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Petrogale penicillata. Contents* Common Wombat Vombatus ursinus. Introduction* Greater Glider Petauroides volans. Why Biodiversity Matters** Red Alga Plocamium dilatatum. Approaching the Task* Mallee Ringneck Barnadius zonarius. Acting to Conserve our Biodiversity** Murray Cod Maccullochella peelii peelii. Conclusion* Brown Falcon Falco berigora.

Photo Credits: Front cover. Wet sclerophyll forest, Tarra–Bulga National Park, Highlands (Southern Fall) Bioregion: Ted Mead/ANT. Remnant grasslands near Wyperfeld, Murray Mallee Bioregion: Otto Rogge. Sunset over the eastern crescent of Discovery Bay, Warrnambool Plain Bioregion: Otto Rogge. Ming’s Fingers Dicranoloma menziesii: David Meagher. Mealy Honey-myrtle Melaleuca squamea: McCann/NRE. Seastar Plectaster decanus: William Boyle. Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae: McCann/NRE. Western Pigmy-possum Cercatetus concinnus: McCann/NRE. Southern Freetail Bat Mormopterus sp. (eastern form): McCann/NRE. Sugar Glider Petaurus breviceps: McCann/NRE. Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus: William Boyle. Macleay’s Swallowtail Graphium macleayanus: Otto Rogge. Ironbark forest, Goldfields Bioregion: David Tatnall.

Inside front and back covers: Dragonfly Hemianax papuensis: David Meagher.