Membership of NaRLA

Benefits of membership of NaRLA

Some of the benefits of being a Member of NaRLA are:

• Representation by NaRLA offers its Members an avenue for co-ordinated input into discussions and negotiations with governments at all levels on matters dealing with government policies and services relating to nature conservation.
• Priority access to NaRLA’s services.
• Substantially discounted rates for NaRLA services for which charges apply.
• Facilitation of communication and sharing of information with fellow NaRLA Members and others with interests in nature conservation.
• Advice on access to sources of specialised information on scientific and other technical issues related to land and nature conservation management.
• A central co-ordinating and international niche-marketing service for Members’ nature-related services and products.
• Educational and training programs custom-designed specifically to meet Members’ needs.
• Regular updates on what NaRLA and its Members are doing, the launching of new services for members, and on other nature conservation-related news of interest.

Membership categories

NaRLA has two categories of membership: Ordinary and Associate; as well as a Friends of NaRLA support group.

Ordinary members
Eligibility for Ordinary membership of NaRLA is restricted to natural persons, Associations, Trusts, and Corporations who own or lease land that is subject to a Conservation Covenant which is attached to the Title Deed of that land.

Associate members
Eligibility for Associate membership of NaRLA is restricted to natural persons, Associations, Trusts or Corporations who meet any one of the following criteria

1. They own or lease land in Queensland that is currently registered under the “Land for Wildlife” program; or
2. They own or lease land in Queensland on which projects under the Australian “Landcare” program are being or have been implemented by the current owner or lessee; or
3. They are a permanent resident of Queensland and are the current or former owner or lessee of land anywhere in Australia, which at the time it was owned or leased by the applicant, was subject to a Conservation Covenant; or
4. They are a permanent resident of Queensland and are the current or former owner or lessee of land anywhere in Australia, which at the time it was owned or leased by the applicant, was registered under the “Land for Wildlife” program; or
5. They are a permanent resident of Queensland and are the current or former owner or lessee of land anywhere in Australia, which at the time it was owned or leased by the applicant, projects under the Australian “Landcare” program were implemented on the land; or
6. They are a permanent resident of Queensland and a practising or retired professional in any field related to the conservation and protection of Australian native flora and fauna and their habitat; or
7. They are a permanent resident of Queensland and are or have been a financial member, for not less than three years continuously, of any one organisation in Australia, the primary Object of which was to conserve and protect Australia’s native flora and fauna and their habitat.

Friends of NaRLA support group
Friends of NaRLA was established to provide a formally recognised medium for involvement in NaRLA's activities for those people who support NaRLA and its goals, but who do not qualify for membership of the Association. Friends of NaRLA include volunteers, students, researchers, environmentalists, nature lovers, donors, sponsors and others who wish to be kept informed on, participate in, or otherwise support NaRLA's activities. Friends of NaRLA do not need to be residents of Queensland. If you are interested in joining Friends of NaRLA, please contact us for further information. Those making tax deductible donations to NaRLA of $50 or more per year are automatically registered as Friends of NaRLA.

What is a Conservation Covenant?

A conservation covenant is a legally-binding agreement between the owner or lessee of a parcel of land and the government authority responsible for the administration of that land. The terms of the Agreement stipulate the management responsibilities of the parties to the Agreement in respect to the protection of the native flora and fauna and other specified features of the land.

What is a Nature Refuge?

In Queensland, Australia, a “Nature Refuge” is a formal term describing privately owned or leased land over which there is a Conservation Covenant, which is attached to the Title Deed to the land, and which remains in force even if the ownership of the land changes. However, “nature refuge” is also a generic term referring to any form of natural refuge for native plants and animals. Accordingly, NaRLA’s nature conservation activities and services are relevant to nature conservation anywhere in the world and to anybody interested in nature conservation.

Advantages of Nature Refuges

Although Queensland has many outstanding National Parks, there are still many of Queensland’s numerous ecosystem types not represented in the National Parks estate. There are also populations of species of vulnerable, endangered, and rare native plants and animals that are located on privately owned land and under pressure in many ways. The Nature Refuge program provides an extremely valuable method by which these organisms and ecosystems can be protected. Strategically located Nature Refuges on private lands also make it possible to establish substantial wildlife corridors enabling the re-establishment and protection of reproductively viable wildlife populations.

If you have a property that you think has high nature conservation values and would like to have it assessed for its suitability for a Nature Refuge, contact your local Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service office or Extension Officer.

Application for membership

If you are qualified and would like to become a member of NaRLA, please print and complete the Membership Application form and mail the form and a cheque or money order for your membership fee to the address at the bottom of the form.