The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife has received a donation of high value conservation land, 5km from the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and 8km from Abercrombie River National Park, which it has gifted to the public for future protection in our national reserve system.

Last Friday, Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of New South Wales, officially declared this land of more than 200 hectares as part of Wiarborough Nature Reserve, increasing its size by 10%. The property has been managed with minimal interference since 1996 when it became part of a Voluntary Conservation Agreement.

“Werong Creek, a tributary of the Abercrombie River and home to the Platypus, flows for 2.5km across the property. By permanently protecting this parcel of land, the water quality and environmental conservation of the Abercrombie River Catchment is greatly enhanced.” said Ms Gale, CEO of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife.

“It is wonderful to know that by gifting this land to the national reserve system, many threatened species such as the Booroolong frog, Greater Broad-nosed Bat, Powerful Owl, Gang-gang Cockatoo, Brown Treecreeper, Rufous Whistler and Spotted-tailed Quoll can persist on the site for future generations of Australians.” Ms Gale emphasised.

The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife is the only organisation in Australia whose philanthropy is an investment in our public estate, for all to enjoy. There are tax incentives for landholders donating land but the real value is the growth of our national parks and the protection this gives to our many plants and animals cared for under their management.

See how many parks have been created through the generosity of donors to the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife at www.fnpw.org.au.

In the Media

• Oberon Review, 3rd March 2011