National Bilby Day is more than a date on the calendar, it’s a heartfelt, nationwide call to action to protect one of Australia’s most iconic and endangered marsupials: the Greater Bilby.

This vital day was established in 2005, thanks to the tireless efforts of conservationist Frank Manthey OAM, co-founder of Save the Bilby Fund. Remarkably, it remains the only gazetted national day in Australia dedicated to a native species, a powerful recognition of just how important the bilby is to our natural heritage.

2025 Marks the 20th Anniversary of National Bilby Day. Let’s make this milestone year the biggest and boldest yet, for the bilbies, for biodiversity, and for future generations.

This day is more than a celebration; it’s a call to action to prevent the bilby from facing the same tragic fate as the Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger), which was declared extinct on what we now commemorate as National Threatened Species Day, September 7th 1936.

Once widespread across 70% of the continent, bilby numbers have plummeted due to introduced predators like cats and foxes, as well as habitat destruction. The bilby is a flagship species as its survival is intertwined with the health of many other native animals and their ecosystems. If the bilby disappears, it’s a sign that others may not be far behind. By protecting bilbies, we’re helping to preserve Australia’s biodiversity.

Join us and passionate supporters across Australia (and beyond!) on the second Sunday in September every year to come together to celebrate, fundraise, and spread awareness. Together, we can ensure the bilby’s future remains wild and free.

Our amazing bilby supporters find all sorts of creative and heartfelt ways to celebrate National Bilby Day each year, and we absolutely love seeing your passion in action!

From school and club fundraisers to bilby-themed parties, your efforts help raise both vital funds and awareness for bilby conservation. Whether you’re baking bilby-shaped cupcakes, hosting a trivia night, or setting up a donation drive, every event makes a difference.

One of our favourite ways to celebrate is by going all out on the Friday before National Bilby Day, we call it Go Green for Bilbies!

Here’s how you can get involved:

• Dress up in green at your school or workplace and encourage everyone to donate a gold coin to Save the Bilby Fund.
• Make it fun! Organise a morning tea, wear bilby ears, or decorate your classroom or office with bilby-themed art.
• Spread the word by sharing photos and stories on social media using #NationalBilbyDay and tagging @SaveTheBilbyFund.
• Let us know! Email us at supportercare@savethebilbyfund.org.au to tell us how you’re going green, as we’d love to celebrate your efforts and share them with the bilby-loving community!

Every action, no matter how small, helps protect this iconic species and keep its story alive for future generations. From big events to small gestures, everything you do helps keep the bilby’s story alive. Your support enables vital conservation work, from predator-proof enclosures to rewilding programs and education initiatives across the country.

Let’s join together to ensure that the bilby’s future stays wild, free, and thriving.

Let’s make this National Bilby Day the biggest and boldest yet!

Please show us your celebrations by tagging us and hashtagging #nationalbilbyday #savethebilbyfund #gogreenforbilbies on Instagram, TikTok or post to our Facebook page!