Great Eastern Ranges

In a continent of extraordinary natural diversity, the Great Eastern Ranges provide a unique opportunity to protect and maintain much of what remains of eastern Australia’s rich natural and cultural heritage. From grazed foothills and farmed valleys of the coast to the remote wilderness areas of the Great Divide Range and Eastern Escarpment, the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative will create a network of areas managed for nature from central Victoria to far north Queensland.

The GER Initiative has established a foundation for widespread and lasting change in how society approaches the enormity of the challenges posed by climate change, the ongoing threat of habitat loss, pest and invasive species, as well as the need to think and act at much bigger scales than ever before. It provides an adaptive response to conserve and enhance Australia's most diverse environments which still contain the majority of our threatened plants and animals and provides clean water to more than 90% of our population.

Since commencing activities in July 2007, the Great Eastern Ranges (GER) Initiative has been highly effective in laying the foundations for the largest conservation program in Australia. Four leading non-government conservation organisations have worked closely with Governments and to achieve a wealth of successes, including:

• Form regional partnership networks in five priority landscapes involving over 100 regional, national and international partner organizations

• Develop and successfully complete of over 60 partnership projects with regional partners, covering diverse themes from habitat management and Aboriginal engagement, to web- and tourism-based media promotions

• Protect over 8,000 hectares of habitat corridors in the most important areas;

• Gather a wealth of scientific information and analysis to guide action and demonstrate the importance of the GER Initiative through a world-leading review of connectivity principles

• Achieve cross-sector acceptance and a high level of positive media visibility at local, national and international levels

• Develop plans for further expansion in NSW, ACT, Victoria and Queensland

• Attract major sponsors and funding to support a wide range of partner activities

The Initiative is now building on the success of the last four years, and looking ahead to a period of consolidation and growth. Particular emphasis is being placed on expanding the Initiative’s reach in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT.