BMWHI Administrator
World Heritage - a force for change ...

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is gearing up to host its much-anticipated 21st General Assembly and Scientific Symposium in Sydney August 31 - September 9. The overarching theme, "Heritage Changes," is a clarion call to examine the dynamic shifts shaping the 2020s and the pivotal role heritage plays in driving positive change and fostering a sustainable future. Find out more here.

World Heritage - a force for change #ICOMOSGA2023
BMWHI Administrator
Introducing our new CEO Jane Powles

It is our great pleasure to formally announce the appointment of Jane Powles as our CEO. Jane brings an impressive skill set, experience and background to the role, including executive leadership, policy development and advocacy in a range of for-purpose organisations. Jane comes with a strong passion for working collaboratively to drive change for a more just, equitable and sustainable world and is looking forward to supporting conservation efforts in the region.

Introducing our new CEO Jane Powles
BMWHI Administrator
Conservation Standards Short Course is Back in ...

After 2 years of teaching online, we are thrilled to once again be able to offer our field-based course on Applying the Conservation Standards.

From 12th -16th September 2022 we will be hosting conservation professionals from across Australia and the Asia-Pacific at the Katoomba Convention Centre for a 5 day intensive, collaborative learning experience in residence and in nature. Registrations of interest are now open, with enrolments closing at the end of July.

Conservation Standards Short Course is Back in the Field
BMWHI Administrator
Update: Protected Areas Collaboration Joint ...

In late 2020, the Protected Areas Collaboration for Learning & Research (PAC) was established as a joint venture between the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute and the Tasmanian Land Conservancy. In 2021, The Nature Conservancy also joined the venture through a Memorandum of Understanding. A comprehensive update on the activities and initiatives of the PAC joint venture can be viewed here: https://www.bmwhi.org/protected-areas-collaboration

Update: Protected Areas Collaboration Joint Venture
BMWHI Administrator
View: Mining the Blue Mountains Documentary

The Institute is pleased to support the release of the independent documentary ‘Mining the Blue Mountains’ by filmmaker James O’Connor, investigating mining pollution in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area.

The film features Dr Ian Wright, a BMWHI research associate and WSU water scientist who has been studying pollution from mines and the related impact on waterways in the World Heritage Area for over ten years.

View: Mining the Blue Mountains Documentary
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A new project linking citizen science with creative arts

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A new project linking citizen science with creative arts

The Australia Council for the Arts has granted the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute $78,500 for a project starting in 2021 that will link creative artists with our community of citizen scientists who monitor fire recovery and climate change impacts in the Blue Mountains.

The project will record and develop citizen science stories and collaborate on presentations of the resulting image-sound-story work, culminating in multi-artform exhibitions including a mix of live events and web-based digital arts.

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Blue Mountains to benefit from new bushfire funding

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Blue Mountains to benefit from new bushfire funding

The Greater Blue Mountains will share in $13 million of Morrison Government funding to support habitat and wildlife recovery in the wake last summer’s bushfires.

Minister for the Environment, the Hon Sussan Ley, announced the funding allocation in Springwood on November 23 where she and Liberal Senator for Western Sydney, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, thanked organisations, including BMWHI, involved in the bushfire recovery process.

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Update on Conservation Capacity Building in PNG

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Update on Conservation Capacity Building in PNG

Over the past 12 months the Institute worked with conservation education leaders to successfully develop and deliver a conservation capacity-building program in partnership with the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA).

The customised training program was supported by the UNDP Global Environment Facility and was designed to help CEPA prepare for the strategic implementation of nearly 60 protected areas in PNG.

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New joint venture with the Protected Areas Collaboration

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New joint venture with the Protected Areas Collaboration

The Protected Areas Collaboration for Learning & Research (PAC) has announced a new joint venture agreement with partners the Tasmanian Land Conservancy and the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute.

The collaboration brings together organisations, experts and practitioners dedicated to growing education, research and learning for heritage protection, stewardship, conservation management and capacity development for protected areas in Australia, Asia and the Pacific.

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Evidence of mining settlement near Ruined Castle

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Evidence of mining settlement near Ruined Castle

A team from Macquarie University is working with the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to investigate the remains of a shale-mining settlement near Ruined Castle in the Jamison Valley, used by workers from the 1880s until around 1914.

The summer fires revealed artefacts and remnants previously obscured by vegetation, including wall foundations, hearths, paving, corrugated iron roofing, ceramics and glass.

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2020 Online Course: Adaptive Management For Conservation

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2020 Online Course: Adaptive Management For Conservation

Due to the current global pandemic restricting travel and social distancing, the Institute is converting our usual field-based Adaptive Management for Conservation course into a 2-week fully-online course, accessible to people from around the world.

Dr. Rosalie Chapple, the Institute’s Education Program leader, welcomes this opportunity to adaptively manage the delivery of the course itself, in response to the urgent need to build capacity for conservation.

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Funding boost for endangered Upland Swamps

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Funding boost for endangered Upland Swamps

The Federal Government will provide $142,000 to the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute under the Heritage Grants Program for a project that will develop a monitoring system for endangered upland swamps within the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

This Commonwealth Heritage Grant is of enormous value in helping support the conservation of the critically endangered upland swamps of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area.

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BMWHI submission to the NSW Bushfire Inquiry

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BMWHI submission to the NSW Bushfire Inquiry

The NSW Government has commissioned an independent expert inquiry into the 2019-20 bushfire season, seeking advice and input ahead of the next bushfire season.

The Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute submission to the NSW Bushfire Inquiry has outlined four key recommendations, spanning fire management practices, funding and communication recommendations. Read our full submission and learn more about the bushfire inquiry in this article.