We are the voice for the environment representing community environmental and sustainability groups in the ACT region. Our mission is: To influence government, business and community through effective public policy and engagement to protect nature.
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Conservation Council AGM report
November 14, 2018
The Conservation Council Annual General Meeting was held 6:00pm 13 November 2018 at the Conservation Council office. The meeting confirmed the minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting held 9 November 2017 and heard reports from the President Rod Griffiths on behalf of the Board and the Executive Director’s Report...
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Join us for Walk the Border – Light
November 6, 2018
2017 Walks Program for Walk the Border - Light It’s on again but it’s LIGHT. One year on Walk the Border ACT is back. To celebrate the first anniversary of the successful completion of the Conservation Council’s 2017 21 day fundraising walk around the 306 km ACT border, the Conservation...
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Spring Mingle Wrap-Up
October 29, 2018
Friday 26 October saw the Conservation Council's annual Spring Mingle and presentation of the ACT Environment Awards. We would like to extend a very big thank you to everyone who came to this celebration - what a fantastic night! We are extremely lucky to have so many dedicated people in...
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2018 ACT Environment Award winners
October 29, 2018
Friday October 26 2018 saw our annual ACT Environment Awards at the Conservation Council Spring Mingle, which acknowledged the significant contributions of exceptional members of the community towards sustainability and the environment in the ACT. The diversity of our groups and activists working to protect the environment is quite amazing....
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The biomass delusion
October 23, 2018
Forest biomass - trees, woodchips, thinnings, forest 'litter' and other materials - should not be used for energy production given its impacts on forests and on climate change. The Conservation Council ACT Region has joined with other groups through the Australian Forest Climate Alliance in endorsing this position statement. Position...
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Loss of mature native trees recognised as threatening process
October 16, 2018
In the environment, as in many matters, if we recognise a problem then we might then be able to deal with it. Over some years the Conservation Council and member groups have been working to have the loss of mature native trees recognised as a key threatening process under the Nature...
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Some changes to our constitution
October 10, 2018
The Conservation Council Board has been looking at our Constitution to ensure it remains in line with changes under consideration by the Federal Government in particular. While we will have to await developments there we have looked at tidying up some matters in the meantime. We are seeking comments -...
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Nominations are still open for 2018 Conservation Council Environment Awards
September 27, 2018
The Conservation Council ACT is proud to announce that nominations are open for the 2018 Environment Awards. If you have made a significant contribution to looking after our environment we strongly encourage you to apply now. In addition, if you know someone or a group who has been an exceptional...
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ACT agrees zero emissions by 2045
September 18, 2018
ACT has set a new zero net emissions target by 2045. We are the first Australian state to upgrade its target from 2050 with tri-partisan support. Contrast this with Federal Government policy paralysis on climate change. Plaudits go to the ACT Legislative Assembly. And congratulations to the Canberra Liberals for...
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Senate Select Committee on Electric Vehicles
July 20, 2018
The Australian Senate has established a Select Committee on electric vehicles and is calling for written submissions by 10 August 2018 and it will report on or before 17 October 2018. This might be an opportunity to ask that all public transport be electrified (why does ACT insist on heavier, more polluting EURO6 diesel...
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Who we are
Established in 1979, we aim to achieve the highest quality environment for the Canberra region through advocacy, campaigning and community engagement. We are a non-profit, non-government organisation that welcomes you to be a part of our active community that is working to safeguard the environment for future generations.
We are an incorporated association with a constitution. Please see our Strategic Plan 2015-2020 (PDF), accepted at the August 2015 Board meeting. The plan lays out our direction with long term focus, and each year our operational plan will based on the strategic plan.
Our staff
Meet some of our dedicated, passionate team committed to protecting the ACT’s unique environment and spreading the word about how you can be involved too.
- Clare Henderson
Strategic Projects (P/T) - Larry O'Loughlin
Executive Director - Ruth Ragless
Office Manager (P/T) - Maya Suzuki
Project Officer (P/T)
Our Board
We are a non-profit, non-government incorporated group, overseen by a Board with skills and expertise in a variety of fields.
- Rod Griffiths
President - Peter Ottesen
Vice-President - Marcus Hassall
Vice-President - Helen Sims
Secretary - Jenny Bounds
Board Member - Rebecca Palmer-Brodie
Board member - Gordon McAllister
Board member - Glenys Patulny
Board Member - Ian Falconer
Board Member - Christopher Dorman
Board Member