Minister encourages new conservation partnership

Fragile rainforest in Far North Queensland will benefit from a partnership announced today between Shell and Conservation Volunteers Australia.

Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Andrew McNamara launched the new partnership, Shell EcoVolunteers, at the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens.

Shell has teamed up with Conservation Volunteers Australia to form Shell EcoVolunteers.

“The program encourages people to get involved in practical activities to look after our environment.

“Volunteers will plant 15 000 seedlings on the Atherton Tableland over the next three years.

“They’ll improve the condition of rainforests by helping to control weeds and monitoring biodiversity.”

Mr McNamara said the new project would build resilience into the environment to help it cope with the effects of climate change.

“Volunteers do a great job increasing community understanding of the impacts of climate change, especially its impacts on Australia’s rich biodiversity,” he said.

“While the government is working hard to protect our environment, we can’t do it alone.

“It’s great to have the support of organisations like Shell and Conservation Volunteers Australia,” Mr McNamara said.

The Queensland Government has taken action to protect the environment by committing to increase its National Park estate by 50% by 2020 and conservation tenure will grow from 8.3 million hectares to 20 million hectares.

Shell EcoVolunteers will be involved in a number of projects across Australia including working to protect marine turtles near Broome in Western Australia and the Southern Bell Frog in Victoria.

Media contact: Emma Parnell 3336 8002