Conservation

Australia’s environment is one of the most diverse on earth and its landscape the oldest.  Its flora and fauna have evolved in isolation for 45 million years, untouched by the upheavals of the world’s major continental plates.  The result is a unique, highly specialised and very fragile environment.  Over 80% of Australia’s mammals, reptiles and flowering plants are endemic.

Two hundred years of European settlement have had a profound influence on Australia’s environment, with land clearance, the introduction of feral animals and invasive weeds substantially impacting on the country’s biodiversity.  Twenty two Australian mammal species have become extinct in the last 200 years (the highest rate of any country) and 20% of our remaining mammal species are also threatened with extinction.  Climate change will only exacerbate this conservation challenge.

While hosting guests in this ecologically unique environment, we make a firm commitment to the principles of sustainability and conservation.  Each aspect of our camps: from energy usage to waste disposal; our choice of linen; our recycling of bottles (we filter our own water and do not use plastic mineral water bottles) or our use of eco-certified cleaning materials has been carefully planned to minimise our impact on the land and we are constantly reviewing and improving our strategies.  Our investment in solar power at our camps is aimed at minimising our carbon emissions. 

Above all our prime motivation for what we do is to open the minds of guests who stay with us through the activities our guides conduct in the environment.  This comes through the interpretation of the environment, the birdlife, the mammal, reptile and marine life.  It also comes through the active debate of topical issues in the environment and through the day to day operation of the camps.

Our strongly held belief is that tourism should help foster conservation of our natural and cultural heritage and our rates include a contribution to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, whose work on private sanctuaries around the country is at the forefront of protecting endangered species in Australia.

For more information on our environmental efforts at Bamurru Plains please read our Eco Credentials.