While the SSAA Farmer Assist program is widely known for helping landholders protect crops, livestock, and infrastructure from pest animals, it also plays an important role in supporting wildlife conservation on private and managed lands. Pest species such as feral cats, foxes and wild dogs have a profound negative impact on native wildlife and habitat. Controlling these predators—and other grazing pests—can make a meaningful difference to the survival and health of vulnerable species.

Shooting, when carried out ethically and to best-practice standards, can be an effective conservation tool to minimise or prevent pest animal impacts on native fauna and ecosystems. Conservation volunteers involved with Farmer Assist bring skill, training, and a strong commitment to animal welfare to these activities.

The SSAA has a long history of participating in conservation-focused pest control projects across Australia. Since the early 1990s, SSAA's conservation volunteers have worked alongside government agencies and other conservation groups to protect native species, including the yellow-footed rock wallaby, bridled nail-tail wallaby, mallee fowl, bilbies and western quolls. These efforts have taken place across diverse environments—from Western Australia to South Australia and Victoria, and from Queensland to the Northern Territory.

The Farmer Assist program enables landholders and land managers to connect easily with licensed, accredited and insured conservation volunteers to assist with conservation pest control alongside agricultural pest management. Registered members are bound by safety, animal welfare, and ethical conduct standards to ensure activities are conducted appropriately.