Reviving Australia's Wetland

‘Revive our Wetlands’ is a major environmental initiative implemented by the Company in partnership with Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) to address the ongoing loss of vital wetlands throughout the nation. Utilising CVA's expertise in attracting and managing large groups of volunteers, the initial three-year phase of the program has provided practical assistance, resources and training to communities around the selected wetlands. A team of trained wetlands officers employed by the program facilitates support to local conservation groups, parks and wildlife services, schools and private landholders.

The program's origins date back to 2000, when the Company and CVA began researching environment issues of mutual interest and critical need. CVA is Australia's largest not-for-profit conservation organisation and a leader in attracting and managing a force of volunteers in practical projects.

We jointly wanted to develop a partnership program through which we could exchange skills, knowledge and resources and achieve a positive and measurable impact within three years. The wetlands targeted in the ‘Revive’ program include coastal wetlands, river systems, lakes, watercourses, alpine marshes and floodplains. The aim was to implement a rehabilitation program in line with the strategies set out in the Federal Government's Wetland Policy and Implementation Plan.  A partnership team comprising representatives of the Company and CVA was formed to manage the program.

In restoring the 100 wetlands, to date more than 15 000 volunteer days have been provided, 30 000 plants propagated, nearly 160 000 native seedlings planted, 650 hectares of weeds removed, 45 kilometres of new fences erected, 300 kilograms of carp removed, hundreds of bags of rubbish removed, 30 kilometres of walking tracks maintained and 8 kilometres of new tracks constructed. More than 500 BHP Billiton employees and their families have volunteered at ‘Revive’ sites.

‘Revive our Wetlands’ received the Prime Minister's Business and Community Partnership Award (large business category) in December 2002. In the Australian Financial Review Magazine Corporate Partnership Awards announced in July 2003, the program was winner of the Science, Environment, Health and Education Category and also named Corporate Partnership of the Year.