Nature Protection
As the ‘bush capital’ Canberra is fortunate to host some of the most amazing wildlife and landscapes in Australia. But the triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution means that we have more to lose than ever before.
Over 100 Australian species are now listed as either extinct or extinct in the wild. Across the country, there are more non-native plants than native ones. Rivers, the lifeblood of inland landscapes like Canberra are drying up, and land is being cleared at alarming rates.
The ACT is not immune to this. Approximately 6.2% of Canberra’s mature trees have been removed in the past 5 years; our beloved faunal emblem, the Gang-gang Cockatoo is endangered; and our natural areas are at increasing risk of pest plants and animals.
Join us in working to protect our region’s amazing nature
Keen to get involved? Join the Biodiversity Working Group
Biodiversity Working Group is chaired by Hugh Coppell and meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 5.30pm. Biodiversity Working Group is open to anyone interested in biodiversity including member groups, staff and board members. To become involved please fill in the get involved form.
Latest News
Why mature trees have special value in the ACT’s environment
Trees sit at the heart of environmental activism. They symbolise so much that is healthy about the environment, here in Australia and around the world. They oxygenate the air for us. They provide habitat for animals and birds. They provide shelter and resources for...
Junior Heritage Walks: Canberra Heritage Festival 2022
Especially for kids! Discover Canberra's amazing nature on a guided walk. The Conservation Council is hosting three walks as part of the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival. This year's theme for the festival is 'curiosity'. What better theme could we have to...
MEDIA RELEASE: ACT cat legislation an important step towards wildlife protection
This Bill is a welcome start to Canberra-wide cat containment and with its introduction we will hopefully see a big shift in awareness in the community about what it means to care for cats, and our wildlife.
Canberra’s Western Edge: the new urban development frontier
Bordered by the Murrumbidgee River and the regions of Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Belconnen, the “Western Edge” refers to 9,800 ha of undeveloped land to the west of Canberra. Much of the area is made up of rural leasehold land whose purchase by the Suburban Land Agency in 2015 garnered much public interest. Despite, at the time, stating that there were no plans for the land to be developed for 20-30 years, the 2021 Budget announcement indicates that early planning studies are afoot.
MEDIA RELEASE: Canberra’s environment to foot the bill for Defence Housing Australia’s poor investment
The Conservation Council ACT Region is disappointed by Defence Housing Australia’s recently released revised development plans for Lawson North, noting that the proposal to construct single and multi-unit residences over critically-endangered natural temperate...
Bluett’s Block – a biodiversity gem!
Below the Molonglo River Reserve and to the West of Denman Prospect Development, is a remarkable natural area known as “Bluetts Block”. Two ecological communities are found at Bluetts Block 1) Dry Forest with a shrubby-healthy-grassy ground layer located on higher...
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