Conservation Volunteers Australia and BHP Billiton are celebrating ten years of a successful partnership delivering Australia’s largest national wetlands revival program. Revive was established in 2000 in response to the degradation and loss of wetlands and the resulting ecological impacts. The partners led the way in generating new community action and awareness and leaving a long term conservation legacy.
Between 2001 and 2009 Revive our Wetlands has resulted in tangible and measurable improvements to the health of over 160 of Australia’s most important wetlands by attracting and managing thousands of volunteers to undertake practical conservation activities. Revive restores and maintains the health of significant wetlands around Australia.
More than $1.8 million is being invested in the coordination of volunteers, school education, project management and monitoring of Revive sites, bringing the total contributed by BHP Billiton since 2000 to $5 million. BHP Billiton and CVA are sharing their professional expertise and resources and engaging BHP Billiton employees in the program.
Five key wetlands sites are currently receiving significant, regular assistance; Upper Spencer Gulf, Desert Coasts Wetlands in SA, Townsville Town Common QLD, Southern Rivers Wetlands NSW, Beeliar Regional Park Wetlands WA and Point Cook Coastal Park, Cheetham Wetlands VIC. In addition, 50 other wetlands receive hands-on conservation assistance, 100 schools have been and continue to be engaged in wetland education and projects and more than 10,000 volunteer days have been contributed.