Western Australia is home to three species of black cockatoos—the Carnaby’s, Baudin’s, and Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoos—each facing serious population declines due to habitat loss, land clearing, and increased competition for natural nesting hollows. The availability of suitable breeding sites has drastically decreased, posing a major threat to their long-term survival.

To address this issue, the installation of artificial nesting hollows (ANHs) has emerged as a vital conservation strategy. However, for ANHs to be effective, careful site selection, design considerations, and ongoing maintenance are essential.

Join us at Aurecon's Perth office for a presentation by respected conservation consultant Rick Dawson PSM exploring practical guidance on:

• Identifying suitable locations for ANH installation,
• Best practices for their construction and upkeep, and
• Key insights into the breeding behaviour and ecological needs of Carnaby’s Cockatoos that influence nesting success.

Drawing on decades of experience in black cockatoo conservation and insights from one of the most extensive long-term studies of Carnaby’s Cockatoos, Rick will share valuable knowledge on how to site and maintain ANHs to maximise breeding success and contribute to the ongoing recovery of these threatened species.

Presenter

Rick Dawson PSM

Rick Dawson is a highly respected conservation consultant with extensive experience in wildlife protection. Recognised for his contributions to black cockatoo conservation, he was awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM) for his dedication to protecting these iconic species.

With over 25 years as a senior member of the Carnaby’s and Forest Black Cockatoo recovery teams, Rick played a pivotal role in managing the black cockatoo breeding and rehabilitation program for 15 years at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). Under his leadership, the program successfully released over 500 rehabilitated black cockatoos back into the wild and, in collaboration with Perth Zoo, developed a triage model that improved release rates by more than 50%.

Rick has co-authored multiple scientific publications on black cockatoo conservation, contributing to the research foundation that underpins recovery efforts for these threatened species.

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