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15. ‘Revive our Wetlands’ program aims to protect and revitalise 100 of Australia's most important wetlands
‘Revive our Wetlands’ is a major environmental initiative implemented by the Company in partnership with Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) to address the ongoing loss of vital wetlands throughout the nation. Utilising CVA's expertise in attracting and managing large groups of volunteers, the initial three-year phase of the program has provided practical assistance, resources and training to communities around the selected wetlands. A team of trained wetlands officers employed by the program facilitates support to local conservation groups, parks and wildlife services, schools and private landholders.
The program's origins date back to 2000, when the Company and CVA began researching environment issues of mutual interest and critical need. CVA is Australia's largest not-for-profit conservation organisation and a leader in attracting and managing a force of volunteers in practical projects.
We jointly wanted to develop a partnership program through which we could exchange skills, knowledge and resources and achieve a positive and measurable impact within three years.
Wetlands are among the most important life support systems on earth and are vital for ecological sustainability, yet it is estimated that more than half of Australia's wetlands have been destroyed since European settlement. Developing a program to help reverse this loss was identified by CVA as a worthwhile initiative and one of mutual interest. Water management is an important aspect of all BHP Billiton businesses, and many of our mines are in close proximity to wetlands that must be conserved. Post closure, our mine sites are often rehabilitated as wetlands.
The wetlands targeted in the ‘Revive’ program include coastal wetlands, river systems, lakes, watercourses, alpine marshes and floodplains. The aim was to implement a rehabilitation program in line with the strategies set out in the Federal Government's Wetland Policy and Implementation Plan.
A partnership team comprising representatives of the Company and CVA was formed to manage the program. A pilot project was then trialled in Queensland at the Townsville Town Common, a renowned conservation park and habitat for migratory birds, which had become severely degraded. A project aimed at achieving ongoing sustainability and management of the site produced encouraging results, and the ‘Revive’ program moved into the implementation phase.
During the 12 months of planning and developing the program, the 100 wetlands sites were selected through liaison with local land groups, environment agencies, councils, state governments and wetlands consultants. A national coordinator was appointed to the program, along with nine wetlands officers located around Australia. A public awareness campaign was conducted; and thousands of volunteers were engaged, including students, families, retirees, other interested community members and BHP Billiton employees.
A communications system has been established, including an interactive website, a regular newsletter and an annual progress report to key stakeholders, including government bodies, environmental NGOs and community groups. An international wetlands expert has been appointed to monitor the program and report against environmental outcomes on an annual basis.
In restoring the 100 wetlands, to date more than 15 000 volunteer days have been provided, 30 000 plants propagated, nearly 160 000 native seedlings planted, 650 hectares of weeds removed, 45 kilometres of new fences erected, 300 kilograms of carp removed, hundreds of bags of rubbish removed, 30 kilometres of walking tracks maintained and 8 kilometres of new tracks constructed. More than 500 BHP Billiton employees and their families have volunteered at ‘Revive’ sites.
Additional funds for the program have been gained through new funding commitments from the Federal Government and state governments and other corporate sponsors.
‘Revive our Wetlands’ received the Prime Minister's Business and Community Partnership Award (large business category) in December 2002. In the Australian Financial Review Magazine Corporate Partnership Awards announced in July 2003, the program was winner of the Science, Environment, Health and Education Category and also named Corporate Partnership of the Year.
Significantly, ‘Revive our Wetlands’ is being managed on the basis of it becoming a sustainable program, with local communities being provided with the resources and practical skills to continue wetlands protection and conservation into the future. As many as 30 per cent of the ‘Revive’ projects are already operating without CVA assistance. The Company and CVA are planning to extend the program for a further three years.
