- Australian Reef Builder project awarded UN World Restoration Flagship status, becoming the first Australian initiative to receive this honour
- Project has established native oyster and mussel reefs at 21 sites around Australia since 2021, restoring 64 hectares of shellfish reefs
- Initiative aims to rebuild 60 reefs across Australia by 2030, targeting 30% of original locations
- Over 90% of Australia's shellfish reefs disappeared in the past century due to dredging and overharvesting
- Project is a partnership between The Nature Conservancy and the Australian Government, involving multiple stakeholders including Traditional Owners and local communities
An Australian team rebuilding functionally extinct shellfish reefs around the country has been presented with a prestigious award by the United Nations at a ceremony last night in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Reef Builder project, a partnership between The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Australian Government, was named as a UN World Restoration Flagship at the Gala of Hope event held last night at the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi.
It’s the first time the UN has bestowed an Australian initiative with the title, which recognises the planet’s most ambitious, science-based, and inspiring examples of large-scale ecosystem restoration.
Since 2021, Reef Builder has established native oyster and mussel reefs at 21 sites around Australia, jumpstarting the restoration of an ecosystem that once covered a third of the country’s coastline.
“Receiving the UN World Restoration Flagship designation is an incredible honour that reflects the dedication and passion of the entire Reef Builder team – it means the world to us,” said Lara Gallagher, TNC’s Australia Country Director, who accepted the award alongside Katrina Maguire, head of the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s International Environment, Reef and Ocean division.
Australia’s Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator the Hon. Murray Watt commended the project, saying, “This recognition from the UN as a World Restoration Flagship highlights Australia’s leadership in marine ecosystem recovery. Shellfish reefs are natural solutions to some of our greatest conservation challenges, and Reef Builder has shown that restoring them at a national scale is not only possible – it’s transformative.
“Reef Builder delivers real benefits for nature and communities alike; supporting local jobs, strengthening coastal resilience, and revitalising biodiversity along our shorelines.”
Australia’s largest marine restoration initiative to date, Reef Builder and subsequent work has restored 64 hectares of shellfish reefs at 21 sites across southern and eastern Australia’s coastline, from Perth in Western Australia to Noosa, Queensland. The project has been supported by funding from the Australian Government, state governments, corporate partners and generous philanthropists.
Those 21 sites are just the beginning; TNC aims to rebuild 60 reefs across Australia by 2030, restoring these critical coastal assets to 30% of their original locations. The organisation is partnering with government, natural resource management organisations, industry, Traditional Owners, community groups, recreational fishers and universities to achieve this ambitious target.
Building of Australian Flat Oyster reef on the Sapphire Coast, Wagonga Inlet (NSW). Credit: Kirk Dahle/TNC Australia
“For thousands of years, native oyster and mussel reefs filtered and cleaned Australia’s waters, acting as the ‘kidneys of the ocean’,” said Ms Gallagher.
“But over the past century, more than 90% of these reefs have disappeared due to dredging and overharvest, rendering the ecosystem functionally extinct and leaving our oceans and coastlines vulnerable. Reef Builder is bringing this critically important ecosystem back to life.
“By restoring our lost shellfish reefs, we can give our oceans the kidney transplant they so desperately need, and safeguard businesses, jobs, communities, and our precious marine life.”
More information about the Reef Builder project is available here:
https://www.natureaustralia.org.au/what-we-do/our-priorities/oceans/ocean-stories/restoring-shellfish-reefs/
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Photos and video of the Reef Builder project are available here. Photos from the Gala will be uploaded when available:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/cfbvype17d29u9rb66285/AOU0fYj0fX2ObgbzZT7cCh0?rlkey=bly0vc7cru1nl2zs8kzgqc48h&st=dljjty2w&dl=0
About us:
About The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organisation dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we focus on getting things done efficiently and with the greatest positive impact for conservation. We’re a trusted organisation working in more than 81 countries and territories on innovative solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. To learn more about The Nature Conservancy in Australia, visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About the UN World Restoration Flagship Awards
The World Restoration Flagship awards are part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration – led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) – which aims to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. The awards track notable initiatives that support global commitments to restore one billion hectares – an area larger than China. Reef Builder is the only Australian conservation project to be acknowledged as a 2025 Flagship, and one of only three in the Flagship’s history.
About the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
About the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
FAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. It aims to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active healthy lives. With over 194 Members, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
Contact details:
Ally Catterick, Director of Marketing & Communications
[email protected] | M: 0407 50 132 | natureaustralia.org.au
