“…What was started in 1982 by Yandoit farmer, Tim Cox, as a small group planting trees on weekends… has become the leading practical conservation group in Australia managing thousands of volunteers who help out on dozens of projects each year.”
Colin Jackson, Chief Executive Officer, Conservation Volunteers
Conservation Volunteers was founded when discussion of environmental issues was fresh, vibrant and a touch radical. It was also a ‘different world’ from today’s: more Australians had a connection to the land; young people anticipated a career for life; private transport was less available; inbound tourism was in its infancy.
Since our foundation in 1982 in Ballarat Victoria, we have grown into
Australia's leading practical conservation organisation with offices
across Australia and New Zealand.
Milestones since our inception include:
- In 1982, Conservation Volunteers undertook its first conservation project; we now complete more than 2,000 projects a year.
- In 1986, Conservation Volunteers undertook 5,000 volunteer days; we now manage more than 100,000 volunteer days a year.
- In 1988, Conservation Volunteers welcomed a team of volunteers from California; we now welcome more than 2,000 volunteers from across the globe each year.
- In 1990, Conservation Volunteers commenced operations in Queensland and Tasmania. From one office in Ballarat we have 24 offices across Australia and New Zealand.
- By 1993, Conservation Volunteers had planted 2 million trees over the previous decade; we now plant more than 1 million trees a year.
- In 1996, a team from Conservation Volunteers discovered the Rock Rat in the Northern Territory which has been thought to be extinct!
- In 1997, Conservation Volunteers launched the Australia Government's Green Corps program. 10 years on, the program is still going strong and has involved more than15,000 young Australians.
- In 2000, Conservation Volunteers was awarded the United Nations Global 500; other accolades received include multiple Banksia Awards and the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Community Business Partnerships.
- In 2004, Conservation Volunteers launched Conservation Connect in partnership with Toyota; the only online booking system for volunteers in Australia. Now more than 100 people book via Conservation Connect each week.
- In 2006, Conservation Volunteers celebrated the 1000th volunteer to undertake the Certificate 1 in Active Volunteering; we were the first organisation in Australia to offer this qualification in partnership with Toyota.
- In 2011, Conservation Volunteers were winners of the UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Non-Governmental Organizations.
- Each year, Conservation Volunteers involves over 10,000 volunteers, plants 1 million trees and trains 1,000 groups and individuals. All of this is only possible thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and our partnership with government and business.
