National Forum

Welcome

Michal Lewi
Chairman, National Trust of Australia (WA)

The Honourable Doctor Judy Edwards, Mr Bernie Masters, esteemed guests, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of the National Trust of Western Australia it is my pleasure to welcome you to the National Forum - Taking Care of the Bush : Nature Conservation on Private Land.

This forum is the first of its kind in Western Australia. It arose from a challenge, an urgent need, to bring together those organisations and individuals who will effectively make the difference to nature conservation on private land in Australia.

Your presence here today signifies our commitment to this challenge and your contribution to conserving and protecting Australia's natural heritage.

The National Trust of Australia (WA) is a voluntary, community-based organisation whose mission is "To conserve and interpret Western Australia's heritage", both natural and cultural.

To this effect, we have gathered together people from around the nation to present to you topical information on the issues facing us today as preservers of Australia's native flora and fauna.

This, we feel, will effectively provide a much needed boost for private land conservation programs and local landowners who are working towards nature conservation on their land.

The field trips that we have organised for you will give participants a first hand look at the true value of nature conservation on private land in Western Australia.

I would personally like to thank all those people who have agreed to present or participate in this important event. Your contribution is vital, not only to the success of this Forum, but also to the survival of our natural environment for generations to come.

I'm sure that you will all enjoy the National Forum and find it an invaluable experience.

Thank you.