within the Smith’s Gap Corridor, in Queensland’s Wet Tropics Region. This generous grant will allow us to plant 16,000 trees, over 4 hectares and weed a further 10.5 hectares at Gurrbum Reserve, a property recently purchased by Queensland Trust for Nature in partnership with C4 (Community for Coastal and Cassowary Conservation).

The project, in conjunction with revegetation within the National Park and construction of a fauna land bridge across the Bruce Highway, will allow cassowaries and other wildlife to move through forested area over the highway and into the Walter Hill Conservation Park and through it to the Djiru National Park adjoining Wongaling Beach.

Help us grow our fund to buy more land for threatened species

The award recognised multiple activities to support threatened species and control predators at our 2000 ha cattle property, Aroona Station, 55km southwest of Ipswich.

In accepting the award, Steve acknowledged the phenomenal legacy of Dr Robin and Kathleen Stock who donated Aroona to QTFN in 2015. Their desire to see Aroona sustainably managed for both its production and conservation value, inspires our ambitious work at the property.

Congratulations to joint Enviro Organisation Award winner, Springfield Lakes Nature Care, recognised for delivering environmental projects and events around Ipswich.

Thanks to our cattle manager, Chris Schreiweis, education partner Wonder of Science, delivery, project and business partners, as well as many community volunteers for helping us achieve our vision for Aroona.

Learn more about our work at Aroona

We were pleased to acquire part of a significant wildlife corridor at Smiths Gap, north of Tully. Over 10,000 trees will now be planted to provide safe avenues for cassowary movement, in partnership with C4 and Terrain NRM.

Steve brings a unique perspective with over 10 years’ experience managing and consulting in Australia for state and national agricultural groups in the areas of risk, productivity and profitability, natural resource management and natural capital.

Prior to joining QTFN, Steve was the Manager – Natural Capital for AgForce Queensland Farmers Ltd. Combining his strong stakeholder networks and passion for conservation, presents an exciting opportunity to build new alliances to benefit Queensland’s natural environment.

Steve picks up from Nerida Bradley who has taken up the position as CEO of the Australian Land Conservation Alliance, after growing QTFN in to a thriving and sustainable business. We would like to thank Nerida for her dedication and commitment, and we are pleased she will continue in an advisory capacity managing commercial projects.

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