Conservation Council ACT Region

A group of enthusiastic people recently joined a Branching Out: Canberra Nature Walk on Red Hill guided by the highly knowledgeable ecologist Michael Mulvaney from the Red Hill Regenerators.

Over the past 40 years, Michael and the Red Hill Regenerators have helped restore Red Hill from a degraded, weed-infested sheep paddock into one of the largest, biodiverse critically endangered Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland left in the ACT and Australia wide.

Participants enjoyed a fascinating (and entertaining!) mix of local history, ecology and hands-on learning from Michael. People particularly enjoyed the hands on parts like measuring trees to estimate the age of old growth trees, tasting sap and smelling Coconut ants homes (guess what they smell like? :)

If you haven't visited Red Hill yet, we highly recommend it. If you have, we'd love to hear what you enjoy most about it—or see your favourite photos—in the comments.
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More information:

Red Hill Regenerators: https://redhillregenerators.org.au/

Red Hill Nature Reserve: https://www.parks.act.gov.au/find-a-nature-park/canberra-nature-park/red-hill-nature-reserve

Yellow Box-Blakelys Red Gum Woodland threatened species listing: https://www.act.gov.au/environment/animals-and-plants/act-threatened-species/yellow-box-blakelys-red-gum-woodlands

Conservation Council events: https://conservationcouncil.org.au/events/
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This walk was made possible with assistance from the ACT Government through the ACT Environmental Grants Program.
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Don't forget that Impact Hour is tonight! 6pm at Dissent Bar in the City.

Details:

Join us for the June edition of this monthly conversation series presented by SEE Change, Conservation Council ACT Region and Canberra Environment Centre.

Globally, climate action is still falling far short of what is needed — and the consequences are becoming increasingly visible through intensifying heatwaves, fires, floods and other climate impacts. But alongside the challenges, there are also genuine reasons for optimism.

In this timely and engaging talk, Mark will explore where the world is heading under current emissions trajectories, what this means for Australia and the ACT, and the practical opportunities still available to avoid the worst outcomes. Drawing on decades of work at the forefront of climate science and policy, Mark will discuss both the sobering realities of climate change and the encouraging progress already underway — from renewable energy transitions and electric vehicle uptake to climate adaptation and emissions reduction initiatives.

Impact Hour - Professor Mark Howden AC - Conservation Council ACT Region Join us for the June edition of this monthly conversation series presented by SEE Change, Conservation Council ACT Region and Canberra Environment Centre. Globally, climate action is still falling far […]

Back by popular demand!

Given the popularity of our first On the Edge screening in May, we have decided to host a second screening!

The city of Canberra stands at a crossroads: do we continue to sprawl forever outwards or do we draw a line and challenge ourselves to develop sustainably, in harmony with nature and in connection with one another?

Join us for a screening of On the Edge a film by Trent Houssenloge of Cowboy Hat Films in collaboration with the Conservation Council ACT Region on the future of the city of Canberra.

The screening will be followed by a panel featuring Trent and special guests to delve further into the question of sustainable development, what’s at stake, and how we can work together to enact change.

Book your tickets now!

2nd Screening: On the Edge The premiere screening of "On the Edge" a film from Trent Houssenloge of Cowboy Hat Films in collaboration with the Conservation Council ACT Region.

Last Friday was a truly special evening where we announced the winners of the annual ACT Environment Awards.

The Awards are an annual celebration of Canberra’s environmental community, recognising hard work of so many in community to protect our nature and climate. This year we handed out four awards to deserving winners. Thank you to Minister Tara Cheyne MLA for joining the evening and presenting some of the awards.

Details of of all the winners can be found on our website/in the article below. winners are below.

https://conservationcouncil.org.au/blog/2026/06/10/winners-of-the-act-enviornment-awards-announced/

Join us next Tuesday for the next Impact Hour. This month features Mark Howden, talking about Climate Reality and Climate Hope.

Globally, climate action is still falling far short of what is needed — and the consequences are becoming increasingly visible through intensifying heatwaves, fires, floods and other climate impacts. But alongside the challenges, there are also genuine reasons for optimism.

In this timely and engaging talk, Mark will explore where the world is heading under current emissions trajectories, what this means for Australia and the ACT, and the practical opportunities still available to avoid the worst outcomes. Drawing on decades of work at the forefront of climate science and policy, Mark will discuss both the sobering realities of climate change and the encouraging progress already underway — from renewable energy transitions and electric vehicle uptake to climate adaptation and emissions reduction initiatives.

Register for the event here:

Impact Hour - Professor Mark Howden AC - Conservation Council ACT Region Join us for the June edition of this monthly conversation series presented by SEE Change, Conservation Council ACT Region and Canberra Environment Centre. Globally, climate action is still falling far […]

The ACT budget is being handed down today!

Last week we already saw some positive announcements for Canberra's environment, and we will be keeping a close eye on any further investment into our nature and climate when the Treasurer speaks today.

If you want to get the full breakdown, join us for a webinar ont he 24th of June where we will discuss what both the ACT and Federal budgets have meant for nature and climate in our region.

Register here!

Webinar: 2026-27 ACT Budget Breakdown What’s in the Budget for nature? Join the Conservation Council’s Executive Director, Dr Simon Copland to unpack Government spending in the 2026-27 ACT Budget.

Have you been to Bluetts Block (BB) Nature Reserve - Canberra's newest Nature Reserve - yet?

LGBTQIA+, friends and allies in the wider community were invited to join Diversity ACT for a free expert guided nature walk by the Friends of BB on Sunday 7 June.

The Friends of BB kindly provided three expert guides - Rainer Rehwinkel, Alice Wells and Peter Lindemayer - each guide contributed different layers of information including the history of BB, invertebrates, flora, fungi, mammals that live there, and much more!

In the photos you'll see what we loved which included the walking with other people interested in nature, learning from our guides, and exploring BB including the views and varying vegetation.

If you've been to BB what did you love about it? Please share or show us your favourite photo in the comments!

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***More information here ***

Diversity ACT or here https://diversityact.org.au/

Friends of BB: https://sactcg.org.au/friends-of-bluetts-block/

BB on NatureMapr : https://canberra.naturemapr.org/locations/sightings/11925

Conservation Council events:
https://conservationcouncil.org.au/events/

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This walk was made possible with assistance from the ACT Government under the ACT Environmental Grants Program.
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Some great news for our environment today! The Government has increased funding for the environment and climate, including important support for local community groups.

Read more here.

Media Release: Conservation Council Welcomes ACT Budget Funding for Community Conservation Groups and Biosecurity Initiatives - Conservation Council ACT Region The Conservation Council of the ACT Region has welcomed the ACT Government’s 2026-27 Budget announcement to fund community environment initiatives. “An uplift in funding to support community groups to deliver […]

Our Branching Out: Canberra Nature Walks Blue Moon Spotlighting Walk at Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary on Sunday night featured wonderful sightings of Eastern Bettongs and Eastern Quolls, including both the dark and fawn-coloured forms of the quoll.

Once found across the ACT and much of mainland Australia, these species now survive on the mainland only within predator-proof sanctuaries like Mulligans Flat. Wild populations remain in Tasmania, but their numbers continue to decline.

Seeing these threatened species in the sanctuary's native Yellow Box–Blakely's Red Gum woodland—a critically endangered ecological community—is a reminder of what has been lost and why conservation is essential to protect what remains.

Hopefully, one day, Eastern Bettongs and Eastern Quolls will be able to thrive beyond the sanctuary fence and once again become part of the wider Australian landscape. Until then, we are fortunate to be able to see these remarkable animals so close to home.

By torchlight, we enjoyed a hot drink, biscuits and marshmallows during a break in the walk. Our youngest participant, who did an amazing job completing the entire walk, entertained us with a retelling of Five Little Ducks who went out one day and got lost - he held the torch under his chin so the story had a particularly ominous overtone. Thankfully the ducks all made it back safely, as did we to our cars.

There's a great photo from Matthew Rothwell of the moon at its brightest. No wildlife photos from us this time—we were too busy spotting animals in the dark! Instead, enjoy these amazing photos by of just some of the species that live, or visit in the case of the Tawny Frogmouths, in the sanctuary

ACT threatened species
https://www.act.gov.au/environment/animals-and-plants/act-threatened-species

Fantastic photos by David
https://www.davidcunninghamwildlife.com/

Our events and walks calendar
https://conservationcouncil.org.au/events/
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This walk was made possible with assistance from the ACT Government under the ACT Environmental Grants Program.
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We won't be gathering for our usual Conservation Council Catch-up at Verity Lane tomorrow, instead please come along to the ACT Environment Awards on Friday:

ACT Environment Awards 2026 Celebrate the annual ACT Environment Awards!