From the CEO

	Doug Humann Photo: Lee-anne Bradley

My recent experience on two reserves in the rangelands of South Australia has highlighted the critical nature of partnerships in achieving our conservation work, and the resilience and strength of Bush Heritage, as we approach our 20th year.

Spending a fortnight on Boolcoomatta and Bon Bon reserves I was also reminded of the ingenuity and skills of our reserve, management, science and conservation support staff, which enable them to cope in remote and often hazardous, environments, managing reserves and partnership properties.

Unusual events in Central Australia

As many Australians are now aware, central and northern Australia experienced above-average rainfall events early this year. This has made access to many of Bush Heritage's reserves difficult and created infrastructure headaches, but at the same time has led to a boom in wildlife activity. If you can visit Central Australia this year, now is the time to do it!

Already we have new wildlife sightings on reserves – a bustard at Boolcoomatta, new fish and mammal sightings at Cravens Peak and Ethabuka reserves, and birds flocking to the Channel Country there, to name a few. These sightings reinforce not only an excellent season but also the suitability of habitat which we are providing. It is such a thrill to see the recovery of these landscapes that you, our dedicated supporter, have helped protect and to see the patience and dedication of our people working in these landscapes. As we enter the cooler months of the year, we have an important window for fire management and indeed the bulk of reserve management activity – activity which has only increased as a result of the rain.

What you contribute to Bush Heritage

Bush Heritage is only able to undertake the work at the level we do with the support that you, our donors, provide, not to mention the help of our wonderful volunteers. I am astonished at the work volunteers do from rabbit warren mapping, infrastructure repair and visitation to essential office-based work. Volunteers add wonderful flexibility to our workforce and help us to manage in times such as these when there is such immense reserve activity.

The unity of purpose of our team also struck home on my reserve visits as the Bush Heritage Board held a reserve-based meeting where we were joined by volunteers, neighbours and partners. There is no doubt the sum of all our parts is collaborating in order to get our conservation work done. The results of that conservation work are on display in this newsletter and on our website. Please encourage your friends and colleagues to have a look at our conservation achievements and support our work financially if they can.

Doug Humann, CEO