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Legal protections

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We put conservation covenants on all our reserves to legally safeguard them forever.

Conservation Covenants are the strongest legal instruments available to us. For properties we own outright, covenants apply in perpetuity so they’re protected forever, no matter who owns them.

Covenants prohibit

Conservation covenants prohibit activities such as subdivision, building (except in very limited locations), removal of native vegetation, interference with native animals and their habitats, disposal of non-degradable waste or interference with natural watercourses and wetlands.

Eucalyptus forest with a ferny understory at Burrin Burrin. Photo: Wayne Lawler/Ecopix.

Covenants compel

Conservation covenants also compel owners to ensure some activities must take place, such as protection of the ecological integrity and diversity of ecosystems, control of feral animals, control of weeds, appropriate fire management, erosion management, ongoing monitoring and use of local seed stock for any revegetation.

Volunteer David Kelly planting by the Murrumbidgee River. Photo Rohan Thomson.

Where we hold a long-term Crown lease, covenants hold for the life of the lease. Given they’re very long-term and can be easily renewed, this is substantial protection.

Where the Federal Government's National Reserve System Program has provided funds towards a lease, it can’t be onsold, except to another conservation organisation.

Places we protect

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New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia