The Mareeba Tropical Savanna and Wetland Reserve was conceived in 1994 and the Conservancy, initially known as the Mareeba Wetland Foundation, was established in 1995.

Since the opening of the Reserve in September 1999, the Conservancy has worked tirelessly through its Board of Management and small army of volunteers to ensure that Reserve is maintained and developed in line with its original goals and aims - to create a Reserve of significant regional biodiversity value in its own right. This would also allow visitors and local people to experience a tropical ecosystem totally different from the reef, coastal and rainforest environments and still within one hour of Cairns International Airport.

In 2006, the Mareeba Wetland Foundation launched the Wildlife Conservancy of Tropical Queensland to reflect its wider range of activities as a regional conservation body, in conjunction with several other conservation organisations in the region.

The Wildlife Conservancy of Tropical Queensland is a non profit environmental company with a decision making structure based on a Board of Management, assisted by a Council of Governors, all of whom are entirely voluntary. Prof David Bellamy, OBE, is currently Chairman of the Council of Governors. The Mareeba Wetlands project was conceived, fundraised and directed by Tim Nevard OAM, who is currently President and Honorary Curator of the Conservancy. Vice Presidents are Trevor Adil and Annabelle Olsson, who is also President of FNQ Wildlife Rescue.

Currently two wardens are employed by the Conservancy and all other work including administration, guiding, fundraising, reserve management and staffing the visitor centre is carried out by volunteers, many of whom are local but several come from as far away as the USA and Europe each year. The Mareeba Wetlands is also part of the UK’s RSPB sabbatical programme. Co-ordinator of the Conservancy’s activities is Gwyneth Nevard.

Programmes

Education and community involvement is a crucial element of the long-term strategy for the Reserve, and the Conservancy has successfully brought a wide range of community groups together with government agencies traditionally involved in nature conservation.

Local schools visit and support the work of the Conservancy and the Reserve is used for field trips by universities and colleges such as James Cook University and the Mareeba Environmental College as well as student groups from overseas.

The Conservancy works with a number of groups such as the Tableland Bird Breeders Club, the Tableland Fish Stocking Society, the Bird Observers Club of Australia, the Society for Growing Native Australian Plants, Tablelands Frog Club, Cape York Herpetological Society, all of whom use the Reserve for field trips and provide specialist knowledge.

Projects like the Gouldian Finch Reintroduction provide a cornerstone of the interpretation within the Reserve, bringing together endangered species and the people who can help them.

Working with Far North Queensland Wildlife Rescue, the Reserve acts as a release site for rehabilitated wildlife, using a soft release pen built with members in kind help and donations. From emus to wallabies, the Conservancy has successfully released hundreds of animals into the wild.

Click here for more about the conservation programmes of the Wildlife Conservancy of Tropical Queensland.

Members

The Wildlife Conservancy of Tropical Queensland has a large growing membership of several hundred supporters, and many members become actively involved on the Reserve or help in a variety of ways. More about becoming a member....

Volunteers

Membership of the Wildlife Conservancy of Tropical Queensland is open to all, and the Conservancy encourages and welcomes active participation from its members. Volunteering at the Reserve offers locals and visitors alike the chance to experience life in the Australian bush and at the same time contribute valuable hands on work to our conservation initiatives. More about becoming a volunteer....

Donations And Sponorship

The Conservancy is very grateful for ongoing support from local people, the wider business community and companies and individuals who have provided financial and 'in-kind' support through sponsorships and donations.

Sustainable Tourism Policy

In order to protect the biological and cultural values of the Mareeba Tropical Savanna and Wetland Reserve, whilst supplying valuable operational income, tourism must be carried out sustainably. Tourism products and activities must be consistent with the Reserve Management Plan and be designed to avoid any adverse environmental impact. All commercial operators utilising the Reserve will be required to maintain a recognised environmental accreditation (or demonstrate comparable experience), be appropriately insured, and must abide by any operational guidelines that may be set by the Wildlife Conservancy of Tropical Queensland for the conservation of the Reserve.

More Information