Greening Australia
Professional services
UnclaimedAustralian environmental organisation focused on restoring native vegetation, ecosystems and landscapes through collaborative conservation programs.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Greening Australia is an Australian environmental organisation established in 1982, the International Year of the Tree, to protect, restore and conserve the country's native vegetation. It was formed by the United Nations Association of Australia and the Nursery Industry Association of Australia in response to growing concern about the decline of tree cover and its effects on agricultural productivity, pastoral systems, soil health, salinity, erosion and water quality. The organisation initially operated as the non-government arm of the National Tree Program, announced by Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser on World Environment Day in 1982. During its early years, Greening Australia developed a national presence, with representation in every Australian state and territory and a national office in Canberra. Its work centred on large-scale tree planting, revegetation, technical advice, education, volunteer coordination and support for community restoration projects. Over time, Greening Australia broadened its focus from tree planting to landscape-scale ecological restoration. This evolution reflects the organisation's view that isolated plantings are insufficient to address habitat fragmentation, biodiversity decline, salinity, poor water quality and climate change. Its programs have included the National Tree Program, One Billion Trees, Bushcare Support, National Corridors of Green, Florabank and Green Corps, as well as regional initiatives such as Saltshaker and major restoration partnerships. Current work is organised around national conservation programs including Great Southern Landscapes, Reef Aid, Nature in Cities, Tasmania Island Ark and Thriving on Country. These programs combine ecological science, landholder engagement, Indigenous knowledge, community participation, private and public funding, and practical restoration. Projects include rebuilding habitat on farms, restoring gullies and wetlands that affect Great Barrier Reef water quality, increasing urban tree canopy, reconnecting fragmented reserves and supporting conservation on Indigenous-managed country. Greening Australia also participates in Gondwana Link, a large conservation effort intended to connect and restore bushland across approximately 1,000 kilometres of southwestern Australia, and in Living Flinders, a landscape program covering 1.3 million hectares in South Australia's Southern Flinders Ranges. The organisation's stated 2030 objectives include establishing 500 million native plants, restoring 330,000 hectares of habitat and sequestering 1.3 million tonnes of carbon per year. In 1998, its environmental work was recognised through inclusion in the United Nations Environment Programme Global 500 Roll of Honour. Greening Australia remains an active national conservation organisation rather than a commercial consumer brand.
History
Greening Australia was established in 1982 during the International Year of the Tree. Its creation followed increasing recognition that the loss of native tree cover was not only an environmental problem but also a threat to Australian agriculture and pastoral production. Clearing and vegetation decline were associated with rising salinity, soil degradation, erosion, deteriorating water quality and the loss of habitat. The United Nations Association of Australia and the Nursery Industry Association of Australia formed Greening Australia to provide a coordinated non-government contribution to national revegetation work. On World Environment Day in 1982, Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser announced the National Tree Program, which sought to reverse the decline in Australia's tree cover. Greening Australia became the program's non-government arm and developed a national organisational structure, with representation across every state and territory and a national office in Canberra. Its early activities concentrated on tree planting, native vegetation establishment, technical assistance, community education and the coordination of volunteers and local restoration groups. During the following decades, Greening Australia participated in a range of national environmental initiatives. These included the National Tree Program, the One Billion Trees Project, Bushcare Support, National Corridors of Green, Florabank and Green Corps. The organisation also supported regional catchment and landcare work. One example was the Saltshaker Project in southeastern New South Wales, which addressed dryland salinity, declining water quality and biodiversity loss through cooperation among Greening Australia's regional operation, the Boorowa Regional Catchment Committee, Boorowa Council, the Boorowa Landcare Network and local landholders. Greening Australia's institutional and programmatic focus gradually expanded from planting trees to restoring whole landscapes. This shift reflected the interconnected nature of habitat fragmentation, agricultural productivity, water quality, threatened species conservation and climate change. Projects such as Gondwana Link and River Recovery illustrate the move toward landscape connectivity and restoration at larger ecological scales. The organisation's work has continued to combine practical revegetation with scientific planning, landholder partnerships, community participation and institutional collaboration. In 1998, Greening Australia's conservation contribution was recognised through its inclusion in the United Nations Environment Programme Global 500 Roll of Honour. In later years, the organisation developed programs addressing both rural and urban ecosystems. Great Southern Landscapes focuses on restoring highly cleared southern Australian agricultural regions. Gondwana Link seeks to create a connected arc of restored and protected bushland across southwestern Australia. Living Flinders works across the Southern Flinders Ranges to support threatened species, private-land conservation and ecological connectivity. Reef Aid applies restoration methods to gullies and coastal wetlands in catchments affecting the Great Barrier Reef, with the aim of improving water quality. The organisation's current portfolio also includes Nature in Cities, which promotes urban habitat, tree canopy, waterways, green corridors and public open space; Tasmania Island Ark, which seeks to recreate habitat and reconnect populations of threatened Tasmanian wildlife; and Thriving on Country, an organisation-wide commitment to working with Indigenous communities and combining traditional knowledge with contemporary conservation practice. Following the catastrophic 2019–20 bushfires, Greening Australia was involved in a national recovery effort focused on securing native seed and plant supplies for restoration in fire-affected and otherwise vulnerable landscapes. Greening Australia now presents its mission as conserving and restoring landscapes at scale through collaborative, science-based and innovative programs. Its stated 2030 targets are to establish 500 million native plants, restore 330,000 hectares of habitat and sequester 1.3 million tonnes of carbon annually. The organisation remains an Australian environmental nonprofit and conservation service provider, with activities spanning ecological restoration, native vegetation, biodiversity, climate resilience, water quality, urban greening and partnerships with landholders, communities, governments, businesses and Traditional Owners.
- 2020
Bushfire recovery and native plant supply initiative
[1]Greening Australia was selected to lead a program supporting native seed and plant supply for restoration following Australia's severe bushfires.
- 1998
UNEP Global 500 recognition
[1]Greening Australia was included in the United Nations Environment Programme Global 500 Roll of Honour for environmental protection achievements.
- 1982
Greening Australia founded
[1]The organisation was established by the United Nations Association of Australia and the Nursery Industry Association of Australia during the International Year of the Tree.
- 1982
National Tree Program announced
[1]Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser announced the National Tree Program on World Environment Day, with Greening Australia serving as its non-government arm.
Products and positioning
A national, science-based environmental organisation delivering collaborative, landscape-scale restoration for biodiversity, climate resilience, productive agriculture, healthier waterways and more liveable communities.
Landscape restoration program
Great Southern Landscapes
A southern Australian restoration program addressing extensive habitat loss in agricultural landscapes. It integrates reafforestation, habitat restoration and carbon-oriented plantings into farming systems, with goals that include supporting threatened wildlife, improving landscape health and maintaining productive rural communities.
Landscape connectivity and conservation program
Gondwana Link
A large-scale conservation initiative working across southwestern Australia to connect and restore bushland over an intended arc of roughly 1,000 kilometres. Greening Australia works with partners including Bush Heritage Australia and The Nature Conservancy to strengthen habitat connectivity in and around a globally significant biodiversity region.
Regional biodiversity program
Living Flinders
A program covering approximately 1.3 million hectares in South Australia's Southern Flinders Ranges. It supports threatened species and endangered woodland communities by increasing conservation on private land, limiting feral-species impacts and reconnecting existing reserves. The program is linked with South Australia's Naturelinks initiative and the Trans Australia Eco-link.
Water-quality and catchment restoration program
Reef Aid
A Great Barrier Reef catchment program that works with landholders, communities and Traditional Owners to improve water quality. Activities include rebuilding eroding gullies and restoring coastal wetlands, addressing land-based pressures that contribute to reef degradation.
Urban ecological restoration program
Nature in Cities
An urban program designed to bring nature into cities and their fringes. It supports restoration of urban ecosystems, expansion of tree canopy, improved river and wetland condition, green corridors, climate objectives and accessible open spaces for recreation and community wellbeing.
Threatened-species habitat program
Tasmania Island Ark
A Tasmanian habitat initiative focused on rebuilding and reconnecting approximately 15,000 hectares of habitat in the Tasmanian midlands. It aims to support species including the Tasmanian devil, eastern bettong, eastern quoll and eastern barred bandicoot while working with landholders and farming communities.
Indigenous partnership and conservation program
Thriving on Country
An organisation-wide commitment to reconciliation and conservation partnerships with Indigenous communities. The program brings together traditional and contemporary knowledge, supports skills exchange and employment, and helps communities live and work on Country.
Catchment restoration project
Saltshaker Project
A past southeastern New South Wales initiative addressing dryland salinity, reduced water quality and biodiversity decline in the Boorowa area. It involved Greening Australia, local government, catchment and Landcare organisations and nearly 70 landholders.
Marketing campaigns
- 2020Australian Bushfire Recovery
Australia
Greening Australia led development of a strategic native seed and plant-supply response following the severe Australian bushfires, supporting habitat recovery and restoration resilience.
- 1982National Tree Program
Australia
Greening Australia served as the non-government arm of the national program created to reverse declining tree cover and encourage large-scale revegetation.
Outcome. It provided the organisation with a national platform for tree planting, technical advice, education and community restoration.
- One Billion Trees Project
Australia
A national tree-establishment initiative in which Greening Australia participated as part of its broader revegetation work.
- Bushcare Support
Australia
A conservation-support activity associated with community and landcare-based native vegetation restoration.
- National Corridors of Green
Australia
A landscape-connectivity initiative included among Greening Australia's large-scale restoration programs.
- Florabank
Australia
A native seed and revegetation initiative associated with the organisation's restoration and plant-supply work.
- Green Corps
Australia
A program in which Greening Australia participated to support environmental work and restoration activities.
- Saltshaker Project
New South Wales, Australia
A collaborative project in the Boorowa region addressing dryland salinity, water quality and biodiversity through landholder participation and catchment restoration.
Outcome. The project involved nearly 70 landholders.
Brand decisions
2020
Native seed and plant supply response after bushfiresStrategyBackground
The 2019–20 bushfires created substantial demand for native seed, plants and coordinated habitat restoration in affected and vulnerable landscapes.
Action taken
Greening Australia was selected to lead development of a strategic program to build and secure native seed and plant supply for recovery and resilience.
- Shift from tree planting to landscape-scale restorationStrategy
Background
The organisation's environmental challenges increasingly involved habitat fragmentation, biodiversity loss, water quality, agricultural impacts and climate change rather than tree-cover decline alone.
Action taken
Greening Australia expanded its work into connected landscapes, catchments, urban ecosystems, threatened-species habitat and collaborative climate-resilience programs.
Aftermath
Programs such as Gondwana Link, River Recovery, Great Southern Landscapes, Reef Aid and Nature in Cities reflect the broader operating model.
Recent events
Sources3 sources
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