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VOLUNTEER ON REVIVE SCHOOL PROJECTS MORE INFORMATION REVIVE MONITORING BECOME A MEMBER CONTACT US this page |
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Focus ProjectsThe ten Revive focus projects are as diverse as remote desert wetlands and coastal marshes next to major cities. There are rainforests, deserts, floodplains, salt-marshes and freshwater wetlands. Opportunities exist for metropolitan, urban and rural Australians to visit and contribute to the conservation of these wetlands. The ten focus projects are;
Click here to download a map of the focus projects Click here to download the descriptions of the focus sites This is available in PDF format. To read PDF you need Acrobat Reader which can be downloaded for free from www.adobe.com |
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Lessons LearntBHP Billiton and Conservation Volunteers Australia have formed a very successful partnership. These are the lessons learnt over the past four years:
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About WetlandsOnce dismissed as noxious, mosquito breeding, worthless places, we now know that wetlands are among the world’s richest ecosystems. The essential ecological services that wetlands provide are not only economically valuable, they are vital for our future. Australia, despite the abundance of rain across its tropical north, is one of the world's most arid countries. Although three-quarters of the Earth is covered in water, just 1 per cent of the available water is fresh and a major reason why Wetlands should be a priority for all governments and communities. Wetlands occur in many forms and come under many names. They vary from coastal wetlands such as mangrove forests, salt marshes, dune lakes, lagoons, lakes and swamps; to riverine wetlands such as billabongs, overflows or backswamps, channels and ephemeral wetlands of inland waterways; to the alpine bogs of the high country. Wetlands provide the following:
The Directory of Important Wetlands of Australia currently (December 2005) describes 904 wetlands that have qualified as nationally important. Of these wetlands, 64 are recognised as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. The Directory not only identifies nationally important wetlands, it provides a substantial knowledge base of what defines wetlands, their variety, and the many flora and fauna species that depend on them. It also contains information about their social and cultural values and some of the ecosystem services and benefits they provide: www.deh.gov.au/water/wetlands/database/index.html Since European settlement in Australia, it is estimated that more than half of Australia’s wetlands have been destroyed by development, agriculture and drainage or lack of water Factors that threaten our wetlands include:
Currently rehabilitation projects cover less than 0.1% of remaining wetland areas. Those wetlands that remain are some of our most threatened natural areas. If we allow the degradation of our wetlands resources to continue, water quality will continue to decline, species will disappear forever, our economy will suffer and our way of life will decline. The Commonwealth Government and other environment organisations have completed research projects and studies on the state of our wetlands but there is still a desperate need for practical and financial resources to activate rehabilitation plans on a national scale. |
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About the PartnersBHP BillitonBHP Billiton is the world’s largest diversified resources company. BHP Billiton has committed $3 million in funding and in-kind support to implement and evaluate Revive. BHP Billiton employees play a key role as volunteers working on local Revive projects. The Revive program forms part of BHP Billiton’s strategy to ensure that the communities in which BHP Billiton works directly share in the company's success. Revive is a part of BHP Billiton target to contribute the equivalent of one per cent of pre-tax profit to community development programs and partnerships. BHP Billiton recognises that to be truly resourceful it must ensure community efforts are directed towards building long term benefits. Programs such as Revive focus on self-help initiatives that leave a lasting positive legacy. Conservation Volunteers AustraliaAs Australia's largest conservation organisation Conservation Volunteers Australia are the leaders in attracting and managing a force of volunteers in practical conservation. Conservation Volunteers Australia manage more than 2000 practical conservation projects across Australia every year. During the nearly 6 year Revive program, Conservation Volunteers Australia has engaged and managed thousands of volunteers, including students, families, retirees, BHP Billiton employees and other interested community members around Australia in locally based wetlands conservation activities, with outstanding outputs and long term outcomes |
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Revive Nature ToursThe Revive Nature Tour is an opportunity for four BHP Billiton staff (along with a friend or family member) to enjoy a unique nature tour. The tour features visits to Revive our Wetlands project sites where participants assist with conservation work and learn about the efforts of Revive volunteers. Participants also visit Montague Island, a penguin habitat breeding site, small tours to this Island are run exclusively by Conservation Volunteers Australia in partnership with NSW National Parks & Wildlife. Below are some of the photos and comments from participants. “Great concept and honour to be selected. It was great to think that a company that I work for supports the efforts of conservation programs throughout Australia. Great guide, and tour leader and great company!” “Thank you – I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to meet new colleagues, engage in meaningful work and share experiences of Montague Island. Loved it!” “I hope BHP Billiton will continue their support for CVA it’s a very worthwhile area.” “Thanks so much for the opportunity to take part in the tour. Cheers to my group and CVA for making it an unbelievable week. Definitely an experience everyone should have. Just visit Montague Island and you’ll understand what we are fighting for!”
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Revive NewsletterFor the latest Revive information download the Revive Newsletter Revive Autumn/Winter Newsletter 2007 Revive Autumn/Winter Newsletter 2006 Revive Spring/Summer Newsletter 2005 Revive Autumn Edition Newsletter 2005 Expression Of InterestAWA BrochureAWA NewsletterAWA December Newsletter 2005 World Wetlands Report2005 and 2006 see www.ramsar.org To subscribe to the Revive newsletter, please email revive@conservationvolunteers.com.au or phone Sarah Brittle, National Revive Manager on 02 6247 7770. | ||
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