Nature Refuges

In Queensland, a “Nature Refuge” is a formal term describing privately owned or leased land over which there is a Conservation Covenant. This statutory covenant attached to the Title Deed of the land 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.

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.

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 former estate system. There are populations 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.