Book Celebrates 20 Years of TLC

Media release – Tasmanian Land Conservancy, 27 October 2021

Twenty years protecting Tasmania’s most-beloved places, celebrated with a beautiful book

On October 29, the Tasmanian Land Conservancy is celebrating 20 years of protecting the places Tasmanians love. Founded in 2001 with only $50 in the bank and a handful of volunteers, the TLC set itself the goal of purchasing and conserving some of the states’ most precious pieces of habitat.

Now, in 2021, the TLC employs 26 Tasmanians and protects over 90,000 hectares of Tasmanian nature. Over the past 20 years, the organisation has raised $44 million in donations. It has spent $32 million in the Tasmanian economy, $20 million of that on land.

More than 15,000 hectares of the land protected by the TLC is in its own reserves, purchased with funds from generous donors – some give $5, and some give $1 million. The rest is owned by Tasmanians who work with the TLC to look after the landscapes and species they value on their own land.

In the past twelve months, the TLC has established a reserve at Tinderbox Hills, on the outskirts of Hobart. In coming weeks, the organisation will announce two new reserves on opposite sides of the state.

Tasmania is a place where nature is valued, loved and fundamental to the way we see ourselves. As we face the challenges of climate change and species extinction, the TLC has been giving everyone a way to make a real difference to the future of our environment, while employing Tasmanians and supporting the local economy.

To celebrate 20 years of concerned, committed Tasmanians coming together to look after the places they love in practical and long-lasting ways, the TLC has published a book, Breathing space.

This book of essays, poems and stories features some of the state’s most popular and critically acclaimed authors, including Robbie Arnott, Danielle Wood, Erin Hortle, Peter Timms, James Boyce and Adrienne Eberhard. Illustrated with gorgeous photography and an original painting by acclaimed artist Richard Wastell, the book explores the many ways Tasmanians feel about the natural world.

The TLC will be celebrating its birthday at Spring Bay Mill, Triabunna, on the evening of 29 October. The celebration will include the screening of two new short films and a keynote speech by award-winning poet and essayist Pete Hay.

A public launch of Breathing space will be held at Hobart Town Hall on 10 November, hosted by Fullers Bookstore and featuring Danielle Wood, Keely Jobe and Ted Lefroy.

TLC reserve at Tinderbox Hills.