Welcome to Norfolk Island Naturally, a website hosted by the Norfolk Island Flora & Fauna Society to provide a focal point for information about the island’s natural assets, their status, their place in the Island’s history and the threats to their survival.
The natural environment is the source of sustenance, provides the backdrop to the daily life of the Island’s residents and underpins the tourist industry. It is a vital component of the great global web of life.
Presentation by researchers on the sharks of the surrounding waters – 27 February 2025, 6 PM at Rawson Hall.
Two projects to map the nearshore marine habitats around Norfolk Island under the Commonwealth Government’s Our Marine Parks – Round 2 Community Grants program have been completed.
Fishermen and tour operators especially will find this marine mapping useful: Click on the link to the landing page for the two projects, including an interactive map, a Lidar map of seabed bathymetry with marine mapping survey points and two technical reports. There is also a promotional video that may encourage you to investigate further!
In 2019 scientist Flossy Sperring commenced a doctoral research project focusing on population genetics, ecology and conservation management of the Norfolk Island Morepork. This 1hr video is a recording of Flossy’s recent talk given to the community in January 2024. The first half summarises the key findings from her PhD studies. The second half focuses on the genetics of the current owl population and potential future steps the national park may take to protect this species.
Access the video file directly (678 MB).
On 26 November 2023 a small team of members of the Norfolk Island Flora and Fauna Society and the Norfolk Island Historical Society and family members travelled to Phillip Island to erect a commemorative sign at Owen’s Hut near the summit. Thanks to NIHS President Mark Hallam for leading the expedition and for providing the photograph.
Norfolk Island’s largest native land snail Advena campbellii is one of the three Critically Endangered species
Land snails are underappreciated but play essential roles in recycling nutrients in soils and as food for many animals. Around 60 unique land snail species call Norfolk and Phillip Islands home. They come in a remarkable variety of shapes and colours but are facing threats from predators like rats and flatworms, and habitat loss. Currently, two species have become extinct while three species are Critically Endangered. Following the footsteps of Australian Museum researchers, PhD candidate Junn Kitt Foon of Western Sydney University is undertaking a three-year project. See his summary for further information.
See advertisement for details – every Friday from July 2023
The Society was privileged to host Maxime Paradis (L) and Thaïs Bardisbanian from May 2022 to March 2023. The program, brought together knowledge around rodent control, both at Norfolk Island and in other places where controls have been undertaken. Now we have a better understanding of why some methods have been more successful than others. Reports of this work will appear on a dedicated page – bookmark that now for future reference. Thaïs and Maxime created a questionnaire about how Islanders manage rodent control. The results will appear in their final report, which is now (August 2023) being edited for publication. They go with our blessings.
The Australian Museum is mounting a substantial expedition in 2022-2024. More details on our dedicated page or the Museum’s own website.
Website last updated 28 May 2024