Australian Wildlife Conservancy

The Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is an Australian independent, non-profit organisation, working to conserve threatened wildlife and ecosystems in Australia, principally through the acquisition of extensive areas of land on which to establish conservation reserves (called 'sanctuaries'). Their sanctuaries are managed for conservation and also support research programs. Funding comes from tax-deductible donations from the public as well as government grants for particular purposes, such as from the Australian Government’s National Reserve System Program. In June 2007 AWC announced the establishment of a corporate partnership with Optus. As of 2007 the AWC owns and manages 18 sanctuaries covering a combined area of convert|21520|km2|mi2, more land than any other non-government environment organisation in Australia. [http://www.australianwildlife.org/aboutAWC.asp Australian Wildlife Conservancy: About AWC] ]

History

The origin of the organisation lies in a 1991 land purchase (of what is now Karakamia Sanctuary) by AWC’s founder, Martin Copley. In 2001 the AWC became a public charitable organisation.

In 2002 The AWC agreed to acquire four sanctuaries, Buckaringa, Dakalanta, Scotia and Yookamurra, for $A5.2m from Earth Sanctuaries Ltd (ESL), the company founded by Dr John Wamsley.AWC Media Release, 20 April 2002: A Win for Australian Conservation - Australian Wildlife Conservancy to acquire sanctuaries from Earth Sanctuaries Ltd. [http://www.australianwildlife.org/files/mr020420.pdf] PDF downloaded 8 January 2008]

AWC Sanctuaries

* Brooklyn, Queensland
* Buckaringa, South Australia
* Curramore, Queensland
* Dakalanta, South Australia
* Faure Island, Western Australia
* Kalamurina, South Australia
* Karakamia, Western Australia
* Marion Downs, Western Australia
* Mornington, Western Australia
* Mt Gibson, Western Australia
* Mt Zero-Taravale, Queensland
* Newhaven, Northern Territory
* Paruna, Western Australia
* Scotia, New South Wales
* Wongalara, Northern Territory
* Yookamurra, South Australia

References

External links

* [http://www.australianwildlife.org/ Australian Wildlife Conservancy]