The Natural Diversity Program is primarily funded by the Australian Government to contribute to the following Australia-wide Caring for Our Country five-year biodiversity targets:

1. Increasing native habitat. 

To increase by at least 600,000 hectares by June 2013 the area of native habitat and vegetation that is managed to reduce critical threats to biodiversity and enhance the condition, connectivity and resilience of habitats and landscapes.  PRNRM funds work towards reducing threats to Threatened Ecological Communities- particularly dieback mapping and treatment and weed control.

2.  Reducing the impact of weeds.

To reduce the impact of Weeds of National Significance on high quality native vegetation on public and private land (including agricultural land). In the Perth region, the Weeds of National Significance are funded to be targeted are Boneseed, high risk Willows, Blackberry, Bridal Creeper and Lantana.

See the Weeds of National Significance website for WoNS strategies and resources.

3. Improving Coastal Hotspots. 

To address the threats affecting the environmental values of coastal hotspots, such as declining or poor water quality, disturbance of acid suphate soils or ecosystem disturbance leading to habitat loss and biodiversity decline.

Through the Australian Governments Caring for our Country program, PRNRM funds projects working along the Swan Tributaries and Canning River, the focus is weed mapping, weed control and revegetation.

Project Officers (2.2 FTE) work with community groups and land managers such as Local Government, DEC, DoP and private property owners.

Lotterywest has also provided essential funding for on-ground works to reduce threats to Threatened Ecological Communities and also for control and eradication of Weeds of National Significance in the Perth Region.

The Natural Diversity program also manages a State Boneseed and Willows project aimed at eradicating Boneseed and identifying high risk seeding willows. These weeds have the potential to invade large areas, so it is important to locate and eradicate these now while it is still possible, and to monitor all known sites for possible seed bank regeneration.  The project involves working with multiple partners across the South West of WA. The main activities are "Boneseed Blitz" and also annual "Willows Watch" identification workshops across the regions.