Mareeba Wetland Reserve

An Anchor for Conservation

Mareeba Tropical Savanna and Wetland Reserve, Qld

In a new move for nature conservation in Far North Queensland, the Mareeba Wetland Foundation and Bush Heritage Australia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate to better manage our natural heritage.

Bush Heritage CEO Doug Humann said 'Bush Heritage is proud to be able to sign this MOU with the Mareeba Wetland Foundation. The Mareeba Wetland Foundation represents the things that Bush Heritage itself was set up to achieve - local people getting involved and putting their money and time where their mouth is to achieve practical conservation outcomes for their community.

The Mareeba Wetland Foundation provides a first-class role model. The Mareeba Wetlands has a national reputation as one of most important anchors in the landscape for conservation in Far North Queensland.  We know the land is in good heart, in good hands and its future is secured. What we need is a network of such anchors throughout Australia with community-led land management conservation initiatives like the Mareeba Tropical Savanna and Wetland Reserve ensuring the survival of our native fauna and flora both for its intrinsic genetic value and for the enjoyment and education of visitors and locals.' 

The reserve is situated an hour inland from Cairns, north-eastern Queensland, on the northern rim of the Atherton Tablelands. This reserve is 2 025 ha (5 000 acres) of lightly timbered savanna grassland and open water in a series of lagoons and channels, with the wetlands being one of the largest habitat-creation projects in the state. Situated on the East Asian/Australasian flyway, the reserve provides a sanctuary for a diverse variety of birdlife, as well as a wide variety of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife.

The Volunteer Ranger Program at the Mareeba Tropical Savanna and Wetland Reserve is a new initiative jointly coordinated by Bush Heritage Australia and the Mareeba Wetland Foundation.

The reserve accepts placements year round, although is closed to the public during the wet season months of January to March. Volunteer rangers can spend from two weeks to one month, while longer stays can be arranged.

Volunteers can be involved in a range of projects and activities dependent on the season. These may vary from general maintenance, weeding and erosion control, building of bird hides and tracks, wildlife monitoring and reintroduction projects, fire management, general office work, administration and visitor centre duties. You can get more information on volunteering.