13 December
2006 - Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary, a privately
protected area in the heart of WA’s Kimberley,
has been recognised as Australia’s top non-government
organisation reserve of the decade.
WWF-Australia presented the
Top 10 award today to the Australian Wildlife
Conservancy for the outstanding contribution of
its privately-owned Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary
to the National Reserve System.
Australia Government Minister
for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian
Campbell, says Mornington is one of Australia’s
conservation jewels.
“I am delighted that the Australian
Wildlife Conservancy is being recognised for its
major contribution to Australia’s world class
system of protected areas.
“Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary
is Australia’s largest privately owned protected
area, established with the help of $300,000 from
the Australian Government’s National Reserve System
Programme.
“The sanctuary’s spectacular
gorges and tropical savannah are dominated by
the Fitzroy River and King Leopold Ranges. With
more than 200 birds, nearly 100 reptiles and amphibians
and an estimated 40 mammal species, Mornington
is a hotspot for the threatened wildlife of northern
Australia.
“This reserve is an environment
lifebelt for our flora and fauna as they adapt
to some inevitable impacts of climate change.
“Under the conservation management
of AWC and its many supporters, Mornington will
provide a resilient environment, and a potential
refuge and wildlife corridor. It is also a centre
of exciting scientific research, which will pay
dividends in the future as we manage the impact
of our changing climate on our threatened species.
“Mornington is a naturalist’s
paradise and its visitor programs are making a
vital contribution to public awareness of the
nation’s biodiversity threats. “
Conservation NGOs such as the
Australian Wildlife Conservancy are now playing
a major role in building Australia’s nation-wide
network of protected areas. Senator Campbell said.
“Over the past decade, partnerships
between the Australian Government and leading
conservation NGOs have added 1.75 million hectares
of protected areas to the National Reserve System,”
Senator Campbell said.
“The Government’s strategic
investment of $12 million from the of Natural
Heritage Trust has leveraged an addition $20 million
of NGO funds to protect important habitats forever.
“Whether harnessing funds from
private philanthropists to buy land, tirelessly
working with communities to raise funds, or managing
the reserves themselves, NGO partners such as
the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, are delivering
invaluable conservation results for the nation.”
Since 1997, the Australian Government
has invested more than $87 million to build and
grow the National Reserve System, adding 21 million
hectares to the nation’s protected land areas
and improving biodiversity conservation in more
than 50 of Australia’s 85 bioregions.
“The total area of protected
reserves is now almost 11 per cent of the continent,”
Senator Campbell said.
“Under the Howard Government’s
stewardship the area protected forever under both
private and public management has grown by 25
per cent.”
Regina Titelius
