You are here: Home / News & Media / Our News / Our News 2011

20 years of Bush Heritage reserves
and partnerships

Key events during Bush Heritage's 20 year history
Special edition newsletter logo

Here are a few of the many achievements made possible over the years by our supporters. None of this would have been possible without their generousity.

 
  Drys Bluff over Liffey Reserve. Photo: Wayne Lawler

11 October 1991

Bush Heritage founded

The Australian Bush Heritage Fund is founded, a year after Bob Brown purchased and saved two bush blocks destined for woodchips. Liffey Reserve, Tasmania

 

  Fan palms. Photo: Steven Nowakowski

1993

Fan Palm Reserve purchased

Bush Heritage elevates its profile from local to national with the purchase of Fan Palm Reserve, Queensland.

1998

Bush Heritage endorsed by Australian Government

Bush Heritage’s role as a conservation group that complements the national parks system is endorsed by the extension of the federal government’s National Reserve System to non-government organisations like Bush Heritage.

 

Peniup Reserve
  Peniup Reserve

1999

Gondwana Link partnership begins

Bush Heritage first explores the conservation potential of partnerships with other landowners, through its role as a founding partner in Gondwana Link, Western Australia.

  Photo of grey falcon
  Carnarvon landscape. Photo: Wayne Lawler

2001

Carnarvon Station Reserve purchased

Bush Heritage solidifies its national approach to conservation with the purchase of Carnarvon Station Reserve, its first large-scale property. The purchase brings our reserve portfolio to a total of 12 and increases our reserve estate thirty-fold to 61 345 hectares. The organisation’s first full-time reserve managers arrive at Carnarvon.

  Photo of grey falcon
  The Bidjara dance group, inspired by founders Rusty and Lionel Fraser, dance a welcome ceremony, marking a return to their traditional omelands at Carnarvon Station Reserve in 2004. Photo by Ken Womack

2004

Bidjara partnership begins

Bush Heritage initiates its first partnership with indigenous landowners, the Bidjara people at Carnarvon Station Reserve, recognising the role of traditional owners in conservation. The Bidjara people dance on their traditional lands for the first time in decades.

2005

'Anchors on the Landscape' strategy released

Bush Heritage outlines its strategic approach to conservation through “Anchors in the Landscape”, a strategy which prioritises specific “anchor” regions for protection. Bush Heritage opens its head office in Melbourne with a national staff of 15 employees, including 4 on-site reserve managers and 2 on-ground scientists, with 17 reserves and 375 118 hectares under its management. The organisation is renamed Bush Heritage Australia in 2006.

2006

Vision for 2025 announced

Bush Heritage sets out on its vision of protecting 1% of Australia by 2025.

 
  Bush Heritage staff Jen Grinrod & Jeroen van Veen
Photo: Matthew Newton

June 2011

John Colahan Griffin Nature Reserve purchased

The John Colahan Griffin Nature Reserve, a  96-hectare property in central Victoria, becomes Bush Heritage’s newest and 34th reserve, thanks to a generous bequest.

 
  Doug Humann & Sylvester Mangolomara.
Photo: Peter Morris

July 2011

Wunambal Gaambera partnership begins

Bush Heritage signs a ten-year agreement with the Wunambal Gaambera people in the remote Kimberley region, a ground‑breaking partnership for Australian conservation.

October 2011

20th Anniversary

Bush Heritage Australia celebrates its 20th anniversary with a staff of 76 employees, an operating budget of more than $10 million and a portfolio of 34 reserves which protect 947 493 hectares.

 

Page Last Updated: Monday 10 October 2011

Bush Heritage News

Spring 2011- special edition


Bob Brown
Founder of Bush Heritage Australia

Alistair Dermer
Reserve Manager
Ellie Sobey
Volunteer at Scottsdale
Sylvester Mangolomara
Partner
Anna Howard
Friend of the Bush
Doug Humann
CEO of Bush Heritage
Elizabeth George
Supporter
Simon McKeon
Australian of the Year
Joan Anderson
Friend of the Bush

Matt Appleby
Ecologist
20 years of Bush heritage
Bush Heritage reserves and partnerships
Subscribe

Your stories

Thanks to all our wonderful supporters who filled out our survey in July and shared their stories of the Australian Bush. Over the course of this month we will be posting your stories here.

 

Make a Donation

 With your donation you will help us protect Australia's unique land, water and wildlife.