Places we protect

We have always believed National Parks are the cornerstone of how we safeguard Nature. Laws protected these safe havens and stood the test of time for over a century. These laws are now unraveling, and we are worried. They used to be places where we could visit, revive, be inspired, feel wonder, tranquility, and sense with awe Nature’s beauty, mystery and grandeur. Or they were those few places we decided to leave alone so Nature could be free to be, as free of our myriad impacts as possible.

But, the focus in ‘Nature’s’ laws is changing from ‘Nature’ and what it needs as paramount, to what we demand for us — no matter what the cost. This is happening in so many states in Australia (for more click here) and elsewhere around the world.

Yes, we must fight to keep those laws intact and do, but sadly National Parks no longer seems the safest option for those very special places at most risk. Many organisations such as Bush Heritage, the Australian Wildlife Conservancy and others are choosing instead to acquire such lands, and to give that protection of nature that governments are no longer committed to. That too is what we must do. Now, before it is too late.

Our urgent focus is in the very heartland of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area — nestled in the rugged McPherson Ranges on the Queensland–New South Wales border. This is the wettest part of this driest continent on Earth, except for the Wet Tropics and Tasmania. These are a vital part of all that is left of that vast rainforest expanse that once covered Australia 50 Million years ago.

In 2009–2010, ARCS was gifted one of the most important properties at Springbrook — Ankida.