The quiet beauty of the Brigalow
After two days tracking down Bridled Nailtail Wallabies and Koalas, it's clear that this entire ecosystem is as precious as the species it shelters.
For the first time, Bush Heritage Australia is taking part in Climate Week NYC, one of the world’s most significant gatherings on climate action. This milestone reflects our commitment to ensuring Australia’s unique biodiversity is represented on the global stage – and that our voice is part of the critical conversations shaping the future of our planet.
CEO Rachel Lowry is co-leading the delegation, and she sees the opportunity as pivotal.
“Climate Week brings together some of the brightest minds, impactful organisations, and boldest ideas to tackle the climate crisis,” Rachel said.
“For Bush Heritage, it’s about making sure Australia – one of the most biodiverse nations on Earth – is part of those conversations. We have so much to lose, but also so much to contribute when we recognise that protecting landscapes is a critical climate action.”
Why being at the table matters
Climate change and biodiversity loss are driving some of the greatest threats facing Australia’s wildlife. From the bleaching of our Great Barrier Reef to the decline of iconic species like the Koala and Greater Glider, we’re already witnessing its devastating impacts. Global forums like Climate Week provide a rare space to exchange ideas, share lessons learned, and inspire action at a scale and speed worthy of the time we are in.
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Greater Glider. Photo Rebecca Diete.
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Koala in tree. Photo John Wybrow.
Rachel believes that solutions are most powerful when they are collaborative.
“The climate crisis is too big for any one country, organisation, or community to solve alone,” she said. “We need cross-sector collaboration – Indigenous knowledge holders, scientists, policymakers, investors, and corporations of all shapes and sizes working together. That’s why Bush Heritage is here: to share what we’re learning from our work across 1.46 million hectares (3.61 million acres) of land on our reserves, and to learn from others doing world-leading work.”
Demonstrating Australian leadership
A key moment during the week will be a special event co-hosted by Bush Heritage Australia, Wild Ark, Re:wild, Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Friends of Bush Heritage Australia, and the Karrkad Kanjdji Trust (KKT) with the American Australian Association generously donating their event space. The event will shine a spotlight on Australia’s extraordinary biodiversity and the leadership of First Nations people, whose stewardship has sustained these landscapes for tens of thousands of years.
“This event is about more than just flying the flag for Australia,” Rachel said. “It’s about showing the world that we are home to some of the most remarkable species and ecosystems on Earth, and that we’re working hand-in-hand with Traditional Custodians to protect them. It’s also about inviting global partners to join us – because the stakes are too high to go it alone.”
Connecting the global to the local
Bush Heritage’s presence at Climate Week NYC also reflects a deeper truth: the local and the global are interconnected. Decisions made in international forums influence funding flows, corporate commitments, and policy directions that ultimately shape outcomes on the ground in Australia.
– Rachel Lowry, Bush Heritage CEO“What happens in New York this week matters to a remote desert reserve in Western Australia. It matters to the rivers of Cape York and the woodlands of Tasmania. We’re here to make sure those landscapes have a voice at this event.”
“The climate crisis can feel overwhelming, but being here reminds me that there is a global community of people committed to change,” Rachel said. “Bush Heritage will keep turning up – at forums like this, and in the field – to make sure we play our part.”
