About Us

The Conservation Council ACT Region is the leading environmental advocacy organisation and hub for community groups in Canberra. Our mission is to protect nature and create a safe climate in the ACT and region.

Since 1981 we have been at the centre of the region’s most important wins for wildlife, bushland and communities, encompassing over 40 member groups.

We are a non-profit, non-government organisation that run campaigns, promote and upskill local groups, undertake research, advocate passionately, and engage and inform our community.

Our belief is in the power of collective action to create change.

The Conservation Council ACT Region acknowledges the financial support of the ACT Government.

Conservation Council Constitution

Our Strategic Plan

2021-2025

Code of Conduct

Reviewed Financial Statements 2023-2024

Our Staff

Simon Copland

Executive Director

Simon was raised in Canberra and has been passionate about the environment for his entire life. He has a long history in the Australian climate movement. Most recently he was the Executive Director at Pedal Power ACT where he led campaigns to boost active travel investment in the territory. He worked for 350.org Australia, where he helped organise a climate tour of Pacific Islanders to Australia, which included a blockade of the Newcastle Coal Port. Simon also has a PhD through the Australian National University.

In his spare time, Simon does some amateur powerlifting, nature walking and SCUBA diving, and is a David Bowie fanatic.

Grit Schuster

Office Manager

Grit has a background in environmental science and spent most of her career working as a researcher and as an environmental consultant in Germany and Perth. Grit’s big passion is our natural environment and she wants to help protecting it in as many ways as possible. She has been part of the Australian Parents for Climate Action Initiative and is working and volunteering in the Canberra community to raise awareness about our impact on the environment and sustainable practices. Grit loves meeting people from all walks of life, adventures in the great outdoors and exploring Canberra on her yellow cargo bike.

Aoibhinn Crimmins

Campaigner

Aoibhinn is a young Canberran who has been involved in local sustainability and community building efforts since she was in school, most notably in her role organising the 2019 global school strikes for climate here in Canberra and across Australia. Aoibhinn has since completed a double degree in climate and environmental science, and politics, philosophy and economics at the ANU. While Aoibhinn hopes to one day complete further study, she knows we need action now on the expertise we already have, and so she is pursuing a career in activism and community building. Aoibhinn has always been passionate about justice and equality, but she was drawn to the environment and climate movement in particular for its overarching nature and thus ability to be a vehicle for change on all issues facing humanity. In her down time, Aoibhinn loves to socialise and dance to electronic music!