Nature Conservation Campaign

As one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet—with standout icons like the Great Barrier ReefWorld Heritage Area (WHA), the Wet Tropics World WHA, Great Sandy WHA, the Central EasternRainforests Reserves WHA and Cape York Peninsula (also of world heritage value), as well asthousands of unique species and ecosystems—Queensland has very high conservation values.

However, these values are at great risk, with currently only a limited political commitment toconservation. Since the Queensland Government agreed to phase out large-scale clearing of remnantvegetation in Queensland in 2005, it has had a very low-level focus on nature conservation.

Nature is losing ground rapidly in Queensland due to unsustainable primary industries (agriculture andfishing), large-scale urban and industrial development, the spread of introduced species (plant andanimal), inappropriate fire regimes and other threats.

Climate change will worsen the destruction—through direct climate impacts, such as warming,increased intensity of cyclones and more frequent droughts, and through indirect impacts, such asexpansions in the range of invasive species and diseases, more frequent fires, and agricultural shifts tonew regions.

Queensland Conservation aims to increase protection for landscapes and seascapes with high conservation values and reducethreats to nature and biodiversity from current land and sea use practices. Our broad objectives are to protect and restore the resilience of nature by developing amuch more committed conservation culture in Queensland—a culture in which we treasure nature, takeresponsibility for our impacts and contribute to the political and social reforms necessary to protect andrestore our natural heritage.

Authorised by Toby Hutcheon, 166 Ann St, Brisbane