Conservation In Action


What We Do In Conservation

We believe caring for Country is a shared responsibility—shaped by time spent outdoors and an understanding of the land and the wildlife it supports. For our members, conservation is practical and hands-on, built through work in wetlands, observation in the field, and respect for natural systems.Through habitat protection, monitoring, and sustainable wildlife management, we support healthy ecosystems for both wildlife and the people who value these places. By working with local communities and conservation partners, we help ensure these landscapes remain resilient for future generations.

Join Us

Conservation At The Heart Of What We Do

Our Conservation team conducts regular activities during the year

01 Bird nesting boxes

We build and install nesting boxes to provide safe breeding habitats for native birds, supporting population recovery where natural hollows are scarce.

02 Bird counts

Regular bird counts help monitor local bird populations and track changes in species numbers, contributing valuable data to conservation efforts.

03 Fox drives

Coordinated fox control programs are carried out to reduce predation pressure on native wildlife and ground-nesting birds.

04 Fish Restocking

Fish restocking initiatives support healthy waterways by replenishing native fish species and restoring ecological balance.

05 Wetlands Nesting Boxes & Hen Houses

In partnership with the Wetlands Environmental Trust, we install and maintain nesting boxes and hen houses to protect waterbirds and enhance wetland ecosystems.

Why Conservation Matters

A primary objective of Field & Game Australia is to preserve, restore, develop, and maintain waterfowl habitat in Australia. Waterfowl hunters are aware of the importance of our wetlands and the biodiversity associated with them. Field & Game Australia have consistently been at the forefront of wetland conservation, often being the first to notice changes in waterfowl habitat and population, continually seeking the reasons for these changes. Wildlife scientists agree that the loss of habitat is the greatest threat to waterfowl, far greater than recreational hunting. Several species including the Hardhead, Blue-wing Shoveler, Blue-billed Duck and the Musk Duck have been considerably affected through the alteration or loss of their habitat, reflecting a continuing need for Field & Game Australia’s wetland restoration and conservation programs.

A history of conservation dedication

Field & Game Australia has been involved in many long and difficult efforts to save wetlands in Australia for the hundreds of species which depend wholly or partly upon wetland habitats for their survival. Many of the efforts have been predominately aimed at non-game species, especially the Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus and the Brolga Grus rubicundus.

Some of the wetlands that have benefitted from hunter-led conservation since 1958 include:

  • Hird Swamp (Ramsar-listed, part of the Kerang Wetlands)
  • Johnson Swamp (Ramsar-listed, part of the Kerang Wetlands)
  • Dowd Morass (Ramsar-listed, part of the Gippsland Lakes)
  • Reedy Lake (Nagambie)
  • Kanyapella Basin (near Echuca)
  • Lake Borrie (Ramsar-listed, part of the Port Phillip Bay Western Shoreline, and Bellarine Peninsula)
  • Reedy Lake (Geelong – Ramsar-listed, part of the Port Phillip Bay Western Shoreline, and Bellarine Peninsula)
  • Macleod Morass (near Bairnsdale)
  • Hospital Swamp (Geelong)
  • Tower Hill (Warrnambool)
  • Loveday Wetlands Complex (South Australia)
  • Gunbower Island and Gunbower Forest (Ramsar-listed, near Kerang)
  • Gaynors Swamp (near Rochester)
  • Lake Buloke (near Donald)
  • Harrison Dam (Northern Territory)
  • Lake Wellington (Sale)
  • Jack Smith Lake (Sale)
  • Heart Morass and Sale Common (Sale)
  • Emu Plains Reserve (Balnarring)
  • Pyramid Creek Swamp
  • Murtnaghurt Lagoon (near Geelong)
  • Lake Eppalock (Bendigo)
  • Hawkstowe Park (Epping)
  • Plenty Gorge Park (Epping)

Many of these wetlands have long-term, ongoing conservation work performed by hunters, as these important wetland habitats require active maintenance and monitoring to ensure that the wetland ecosystems remain balanced and able to support a wide variety of flora and fauna.