The Conservation Council of South Australia, also known as Conservation SA and Conservation Council SA, is an environmental organisation serving as a peak body, representing over 50 member groups, representing over 90,000 individual members, in the state of South Australia.
Description
The Council is an independent, non-profit and strictly non-party political organisation, established to "give a voice to the growing environmental challenges that face us and the emerging solutions showing the way to the future". It informs the public and government on key environmental issues and participates in government and community processes that seek to restore and protect the natural environment. The Council liaises with industry, government departments, unions, community organisations and all political parties. By nominating individuals to sit on government committees such as the EPA Board, the Pastoral Board,[1] and the Lake Eyre Basin Community Advisory Committee, the Council provides the community with opportunities for direct input into government decision-making.[citation needed]
As of 2021[update], there were 50 member groups. Combined, these groups represent over 90,000 South Australians with the common goals being the conservation and protection of the environment and a sustainable future.[2]
Awards
Since 1998, the SA Environment Awards have been presented annually on World Environment Day on 5 June by Conservation Council SA. As of 2024[update], the awards are presented in partnership with Green Adelaide, Department for Environment and Water, and University of Adelaide Environment Institute). The awards include the Jill Hudson Award for Environmental Protection; Green Adelaide's Pelzer Prize; Leif Justham Young Achievers Award; Innovation Award; Working Together Award; and the Conservation Science Prize.[3] Since 2017, outstanding "activists, community organisers, and conservationists" have been inducted into the SA Environment Hall of Fame.[4]
Jill Hudson Award
The Conservation Council of South Australia presents the Jill Hudson Award for Environmental Protection annually.
Opening The Joinery 4 June 2015. (l-r) SA Environment Minister the Hon. Ian Hunter MLC; CCSA CEO Craig Wilkinson; Governor of SA, the Hon. Hieu Van Le, AO: CCSA President Nadia McLaren.
In early 2015 Conservation SA moved its headquarters to the disused former interstate bus terminal building in Franklin Street, owned by the Adelaide City Council, creating a community environment space called The Joinery.[9] The building houses offices sublet to other environmental and sustainability related organisations, groups and businesses, and a former carpark area has been converted to a community garden shared with the community housing group Common Ground.[10]
Member groups
Craig Wilkins, Chief Executive CCSA (2014)DEWNR CEO Sandy Pitcher presenting the CCSA's 2015 Jill Hudson Award to sisters Karina and Rose Lester for their work in advocating on behalf of aboriginal communities in relation to the SA Royal Commission into the Nuclear Fuel Cycle,[11] 17 December 2015.
As of 2021[update], there are over 50 member groups represented on the Council:[2]
Aldgate Valley Landcare Group Inc
Aldinga Bay Coastcare Inc
Anti Nuclear Coalition
Australian Association for Environmental Education SA
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