State Environment Minister, Brian Wightman is misleading Tasmanians when claiming the government must do all it can to protect endangered species, Greens Deputy Leader, Christine Milne said today.

"Tasmanians will be outraged to hear that in the same week Mr Wightman is seeking a meeting with Minister Burke to try to prevent the heritage listing of the Tarkine , he is also announcing two days later that we must do all we can to protect our threatened species.

News today of researchers confirming a genetically diverse Tasmanian devil population in the state's North West has been welcomed by Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne.

Researchers from the universities of Sydney and Tasmania are hopeful of a natural immunity to devil facial tumour disease being present in the genetic make-up of the North West devils, but Senator Milne has warned there is still a long way to go if we are to save them from extinction.

Greens deputy leader, Senator Christine Milne has welcomed a decision by the Federal Minister for Environment to consider uplisting the Tasmanian devil's status from endangered to critically endangered.

"This is encouraging news from Minister Garrett. Last year I called for the official process of uplisting to be opened following news of the devil's continued decline."

Greens Deputy Leader, Christine Milne today revealed today the shocking state of Tasmania's wildlife disease service. The Greens Senator said she was saddened and stunned to hear a wildlife disease hotline promoted by the State government is answered by a local security company with no knowledge of veterinary science.

"I am sickened at the low level of priority Premier Bartlett and Minister David Llewellyn give wildlife disease. It is beyond comprehension that the Tasmanian government has placed a security company in charge of monitoring wildlife disease throughout the state."

Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Christine Milne has welcomed the emergency heritage listing of the Tarkine wilderness by the Federal Minister for Environment and Heritage.

"Peter Garrett has made the right decision in exercising his powers of emergency listing to protect the natural and cultural values of the Tarkine, in light of the Tasmanian government's proposal to build an environmentally destructive road through the region."

Greens Deputy Leader, Christine Milne has welcomed the Federal government's call for more information on the environmental impacts of the proposed Tarkine road, but is disappointed the public have been shut out of an extended period for comment open only to the State government.

Senator Milne called for the Minister for Environment to open additional comments beyond that of the Bartlett acolytes and to include the public.