News archive
Welcome to the latest news page for the National Reserve System. As you can see, there is always lots going on! Feel free to pass these stories around or contact us if you would like more information.
2010
Huge new conservation reserve for South Australia
4 June 2010
On the eve of World Environment Day, Environment Protection Minister Peter Garrett launched Witchelina reserve. At more than 4,200 square kilometres, it is the largest property ever purchased for the National Reserve System through Caring for our Country.
The outback property, more than twice the size of greater Adelaide, will now protect much needed habitat for species such as the magnificent peregrine falcon and the vulnerable dusky hopping mouse.
Find out more about Witchelina
Pink handfish | Photo by Karen Gowlett-Holmes
Can you pick Australia's favorite new species?
2 June 2010
A barnacle that looks like the Sydney Opera House? A pink fish that walks on the sea floor? These are just some newly discovered Australian species that are part of a new teachers' resource booklet and competition that will this week go to school children around the country.
"Ahead of World Environment Day on Saturday and in the International Year of Biodiversity, we want to get kids excited by the environment around them and the discoveries still taking place today of new plants and animals across our vast continent," Environment Protection Minister Peter Garret said.
Media Release | bushblitz.org.au
World famous bird habitat protected forever
May 2010
A world-famous bird watching property in Queensland was today added to Australia's National Reserve System, protecting the habitat of hundreds of bird species.
Not-for-profit group the Australian Wildlife Conservancy purchased the 14,000 hectare Bowra Station near Cunnamulla for conservation, with $1.2 million from the Australian Government through Caring for our Country and generous private donations.
Find out more about Bowra | Media Release | Find out more about the Australian Wildlife Conservancy
Bush Blitz – discovering Darkwood
February 2010
In 2010 – the International Year of Biodiversity - Darkwood is one of the first reserves in Australia to be surveyed by scientists through the innovative Bush Blitz project. Bush Blitz is the world's first continental-scale nature discovery project - a three year multimillion dollar project to document the plants and animals in hundreds of properties across Australia's National Reserve System.
Bush Blitz is a partnership between the Australian Government, global resources company BHP Billiton, conservation organisation Earthwatch and rangelands survey group the National Scientific Reference Site Network.
Find out more about Darkwood | Find out more about Bush Blitz | Media Release
Video – Environmental watering at Yanga National Park
February 2010
More than 400 waterbirds are breeding at wetlands in Yanga National Park, southern NSW, after receiving 10.9 billion litres of water from the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and the NSW Government.
Watch the video here
Funding 2010-11
January 2010
The Australian Government is now calling for investment proposals for projects that will meet the targets outlined in the Caring for our Country Business Plan 2010-11.
The closing date for submission of proposals is 15 April 2010 | Find out more about funding and how to apply
2009
2008 CAPAD edition now available online
December 2009
To support and monitor progress of the scientific bioregional framework, Commonwealth, state and territory agencies regularly provide statistics on the protected areas within their jurisdictions. The statistics are compiled in a database - the Collaborative Australian Protected Area Database commonly known as CAPAD.
More information | Download the data sets
Australia a global leader in biodiversity knowledge
29 September 2009
Environment Minister Peter Garrett today released the only report in the world to document the planet's known animal and plant species - all 1,899,587 of them.
"This work by Australian scientists, which has been praised by internationally acclaimed naturalist Sir David Attenborough, is a fantastic contribution to the global fight to conserve biodiversity," Mr Garrett said.
More information
Agreement protects Sunshine Coast wildlife corridor
28 August 2009
Another parcel of ecologically significant land on the Sunshine Coast will be preserved for future generations under an agreement between the Sunshine Coast Regional Council and the Australian Government.
More information
New conservation reserve
13 June 2009
The New South Wales and Australian governments have joined forces to create a new conservation reserve in Sydney's west. Adding the former 181-hectare Air Services Australia site at Cranebrook to the National Reserve System will protect some of Sydney's most endangered species, provide a critical wildlife corridor and secure additional green space for residents.
Strategy for Australia's National Reserve System 2009–2030
2 June 2009
The next 20 years will be a critical period for biodiversity conservation in Australia. Today's release of the National Reserve System Strategy 2009-2030 is an important step towards long-term protection of Australia's incredible biodiversity.
Download the Strategy for Australia's National Reserve System 2009-2030
Grassroots support protects Tassie habitat
28 January 2009
An island refuge in Tasmania's Huon River will now be added to Australia's National Reserve System - our nation's most secure way of protecting native habitat. Environment Minister Peter Garrett and Member for Franklin Julie Collins today launched the Tasmanian Land Conservancy's Egg Islands Reserve in Franklin, 45 kilometres south west of Hobart.
Grassroots support protects Tassie habitat - press release (89KB PDF)
Funding 2009-10
January 2009
The Australian Government is now calling for investment proposals for projects that will meet the targets outlined in the Caring for our Country business plan 2009-10. The closing date for submission of proposals is 6 March 2009.
Find out more about funding and how to apply
2008
Sunshine Coast hosts international protected areas congress
Source: ABC News | 2 December 2008
ABC's Kathy McLeish reports about a landmark Congress on Protected Areas held on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
Sunshine Coast hosts international protected areas congress | ABC video
$180 Million to build the National Reserve System
31 March 2008
Visiting the Namadgi National Park near Canberra, Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett today announced a $180 million boost to Australia's National Reserve System, as part of the Government's $2.25 billion Caring for our Country initiative.
Implications of Climate Change for Australia's National Reserve System
March 2008
A report by the CSIRO has confirmed the National Reserve System as a vital tool for conserving Australia's biodiversity in the face of climate change. Acting on a need identified by the CSIRO report, the Government has announced $250,000 for a new study into climate change refuges for native species.
Implications of Climate Change for Australia's National Reserve System | report
Building the National Reserve System factsheet
Australia's network of parks, reserves and protected
areas - is a vital part of our national effort to conserve biodiversity.
Building the National Reserve System | factsheet
