The Threatened Species Bake Off is back for its fifth year, with impressive entries already pouring in to mark Threatened Species Day on September 7.

This year’s Bake Off will focus on ecosystem engineers and the important role they play in Australia’s terrestrial and aquatic environments, presenting an opportunity for Australians to research and celebrate our diverse range of incredible threatened ecosystem engineers, particularly Australia’s lesser-known engineers.

The competition is an invitation to Australians to bake a dessert in the shape of a threatened species, with the aim to build awareness in the community about Australia’s remarkable and unique threatened wildlife.

Run by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, the Bake Off has six categories for entry: the Early Learner’s Award (four years and younger), the Children’s Award (five – 15 years), the Open Category (15 years and over), People’s Choice (decided by the public), the Schools Award and the Organisation Award.

Now in its fifth year, the entires in 2021 will be judged by baker Katherine Sabbath, water scientist Brad Moggridge, ecologist Dr Bec West, and acting Threatened Species Commissioner, Dr Fiona Fraser.

Pictured entries:

Kangaroo Island Echidna by Leni, aged 9 for the Children’s Category

Giant Barred Frog (Mixophyes iteratus) double choc chip muffins by Kerry Cameron for the Open Category

Submissions are open until 5pm AEST Wednesday, 8 September 2021, and winners will be announced on Friday, September 10 by Dr Fiona Fraser, acting as the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Commissioner.