About AWC
Australian Wildlife Conservancy
Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is an independent non-profit organisation dedicated to the effective conservation of Australia's threatened wildlife and their habitats. The Board of AWC has a unique mix of successful businessmen and eminent scientists like Professor Tim Flannery, who all recognise that a new approach to conservation is needed.
AWC's strategy for saving Australia's wildlife includes:
Establishing wildlife sanctuaries
AWC acquires land that contains important habitat for threatened species and then works with other landholders to protect threatened wildlife and ecosystems. AWC currently owns and manages over 20 sanctuaries covering over 2.6 million hectares (over 7 million acres), making it the largest non-government holder of conservation land in Australia, protecting over 1,200 native Australian animal species.
Implementing practical, on-ground conservation programs
Around 80% of AWC's staff are based in the field where they implement practical conservation programs like feral animal control, weed eradication, fire management and threatened species translocations. At least 90% of our total expenditure is invested in conservation programs, including land acquisition. To find out more, visit: www.australianwildlife.org
Conducting scientific research
AWC works in collaboration with universities, museums, CSIRO and a range of other organisations to conduct research on key biodiversity issues. To find out more, visit: www.australianwildlife.org
Making a difference
AWC now owns and manages over 20 sanctuaries across Australia. These properties protect over 67% of Australia's mainland mammal species and 83% of our mainland bird species. In fact, AWC protects over 1,200 native Australian animal species - more than any other non-government organisation in Australia.
As our first major corporate partner, Optus is at the front-line in our efforts to save Australia's threatened wildlife. Along with our staff and customers, Optus is working together with AWC to deliver practical, on-ground conservation projects around Australia, and to raise awareness about our endangered wildlife.
Learn more about AWC
Visit Australian Wildlife Conservancy: www.australianwildlife.org
Optus and AWC - working together
As you know, we love our animals. That's why in 2007, Optus partnered with Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) to help save Australia's threatened wildlife. Together we're delivering practical conservation outcomes where they really count - in the field. Our combined efforts will benefit future generations of Australians by conserving and restoring wildlife.
Some of the projects we have already undertaken include:
- Saving threatened Purple-crowned Fairy-wrens in the Kimberley
- Protecting endangered Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies in the Flinders Ranges
- Supporting the acquisition and creation of the largest private reserve in Australia at Kalamurina Wildlife Sanctuary
- Helping to save the threatened wildlife of Cape York at Piccaninny Plains
Our staff are also playing their part through our workplace giving program and peer-to-peer fundraising. It's initiatives like these that are making a big difference to the future of our country's unique wildlife.
Although this partnership is still young, between our staff and customers, together we have already invested almost $1 million to help AWC conserve our precious wildlife.
Our belief is that anything is possible and we hope that one day the endangered species of Australia will flourish once again. This will ensure that in years to come our nation's children will still be able to appreciate the diversity of Australia's wildlife.
Our current focus is on addressing the rapid decline of small mammals in northern Australia. Specifically we aim to protect the threatened wildlife of the Gulf of Carpentaria at AWC's Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary.
With Optus supporting AWC, anything's possible.