Private Conservations - ECOS

January 2006

Land trusts have led the recent growth of conservation on privately held land in Australia.  This edition of ECOS includes a special feature on the work of land trusts such as Bush Heritage.

In "Private Conservations", Steve Davidson profiles Bush Heritage and other Australian private land conservation organisations, asking how these trusts work, what have they achieved, and where are they headed.  The article includes an interview with Doug Humann, CEO of Bush Heritage.

"The Science of Private Conservation" focuses on the science behind Bush Heritage's conservation program.  In particular, it examines the research by Professor Chris Dickman from the University of Sydney on the ecology of Cravens Peak, on the edge of the Simpson Desert.  Such research ensures that the acquisition and management of reserves for conservation values is informed by sound ecological understandings of Australian nature.