WildArc - Southern Australia's WildCountry Program

Dhoogoor Yuara is a Mirning term that means the dreaming road. It is the name for both the Milky Way and the arc of the Great Australian Bight, one reflected in the other. Features in the landscape such as rockholes and caves are mirrored as stars and constellations in the sky.

The signing of a cooperation agreement between the Aboriginal Cultural Development Foundation and The Wilderness Society. Photo: Bill Doyle

WildArc is the Wilderness Society’s WildCountry Project in Southern Australia.

It is an extremely ambitious project, and aims to protect vast areas of land and seascape.

WildArc has the potential to become one of the largest conservation estates in the world.

Project partners

The project continues to gather momentum and partners, through collaboration with the Aboriginal Cultural Development Foundation (ACDF) amongst others.

The region is of considerable importance to members of the ACDF, including the Mirning and Barngala people, who are committed to the protection of their traditional lands and cultural heritage.

Bunda Cliffs on the Nullarbor. Photo: Tammy-Jo Sutton

Background of the project region

Since nominating the Nullarbor Plain for wilderness protection, the campaign has lead to the South Australian Government recently announcing its intention to proclaim a Nullarbor Wilderness Protection Area of nearly 1 million hectares.

Recognised internationally for its outstanding natural and cultural values, the Nullarbor holds the key to the east/west connection of the Southern Australian landscape, joining the mallee wilderness of Yellabinna with the Great Western Woodlands and beyond in WA

Sealions are threatened by overfishing and pollution. Photograph: Ron and Valerie Taylor

Our marine component of the WildArc Project includes the Commonwealth’s South/West Marine Region.

We are now working to ensure large Marine Sanctuaries are declared in both the Commonwealth and State waters.

A tremendous opportunity now exist to protect our highly significant marine species and their habitat!