Where conservation meets innovation; a bold commitment to reversing biodiversity loss and an unprecedented initiative like no other in Australia.
Where conservation meets innovation; a bold commitment to reversing biodiversity loss and an unprecedented initiative like no other in Australia.
Habitat Positive is a visionary landscape restoration initiative, prioritising Australia’s most threatened species and ecosystems.
Underpinned by science, leveraging world-leading conservation expertise and using climate science insights to set new benchmarks and standards in restoration.
Climate resilient by design and delivered in collaboration with First Nations Peoples and local communities.
Australia has one of the highest rates of species decline among developed nations with habitat destruction and fragmentation the most significant contributors.
Restoring biodiversity continues to be one of the most urgent issues facing our planet.
Taronga has established Sanctuary One on the North West Slopes of NSW across 3,050 hectares, creating one of Australia’s largest Box-gum Woodland rewilding sites.
Up to one million native seedlings will be planted to rebuild wildlife corridors and restore critically endangered Box-Gum Woodlands. Over time, the site will become a safe haven for up to 36 threatened Australian species, including koalas. This pilot site marks the beginning of scalable restoration, with an ambitious vision to restore two million hectares by 2050 in collaboration with partners in the industry.
“Habitat Positive signals a new era for Taronga and builds on more than a century’s knowledge, experience and dedication to wildlife”
Cameron Kerr
CEO
Taronga Conservation Society Australia
Regenerating, revegetating and rewilding degraded land in the Northern Tablelands of NSW, starting with 3,050 hectares in stage one of our roadmap.
This is just the beginning of tangible change.
A 360-degree model which brings together conservation science, community and experienced commercial acumen to create lasting outcomes that will contribute to a nature positive future.
Habitat Positive is delivered by Taronga Conservation Society Australia - a multifaceted not-for-profit powerhouse. Our conservation efforts are underpinned by a visionary mindset and expertise spanning over a century.
Taronga manages 23 threatened species recovery programs and prevented the extinction of 7 species that would have been extinct if not for Taronga's intervention.
Taronga aims to build populations and create sustainable, high integrity habitat for species to thrive. Taronga has released over 60,000 animals back into the wild, reintroducing populations of many threatened species.
Taronga's Institute of Science and Learning is the first of its kids in the southern hemisphere and is home to the largest zoo science team in conjunction to providing immersive formal education from kindergarten to PhD, to shape the mindset of the next generation of conservationists.
Habitat Positive ensures a respectful, inclusive restoration approach, prioritising Commitment to Country. A First Nations leader forms part of the steering committee and regular engagement with the local community focuses on exploring opportunities for sustainable employment and supporting First Names enterprises from seed supply to land management to deliver meaningful benefits to the community.
Taronga is investing into formative AI and utilising data science for animal welfare research and to assist with tracking illegal wildlife trade.
“We’re delighted to welcome Sydney Airport as our inaugural partner. Their investment in Taronga Habitat Positive reflects a commitment to protecting what makes Australia unique – our wildlife, our landscapes and our future."
Taronga Conservation Society Australia CEO, Cameron Kerr
10 year partnership with Sydney Airport
Sydney Airport has partnered with Taronga as the Origination Partner for Sanctuary One to restore 3,000 hectares of habitat in a landscape scale effort to rebuild ecosystems and strengthen biodiversity for threatened species. This partnership unites two of Australia’s iconic brands to regenerate critically endangered Box-Gum Woodlands, one of Australia’s most at-risk ecosystems. The ACCU’s generated by this initiative plays a critical role in supporting Sydney Airport’s ambitious sustainability goals for Net Zero (Scope 1 & 2 emissions) by 2030.
“As Australia’s gateway airport, we’re proud to be the first in our industry to take a leading role in this initiative, partnering with a trusted and iconic brand like Taronga to achieve high-quality conservation outcomes”
Scott Charlton, CEO of Sydney Airport
Shared Vision and Values
Taronga and Sydney Airport team alongside Minister Penny Sharpe at media launch announcing Habitat Positive and the partnership in December 2025 at Taronga Zoo Sydney.
Philanthropy lays the groundwork. The carbon market sustains it. Together, they enable Habitat Positive to deliver enduring impact.
Taronga Habitat Positive empowers organisations on their Net Zero journey with a nature-based solution that removes carbon, restores vital habitats, and protects threatened species — delivering meaningful impact to communities and strengthens business credibility. This is more than an environmental initiative - this is a transformational opportunity for organisations to contribute to Australia's restoration legacy.
Philanthropy presents the crucial catalyst in the early years because it supports the foundational work that makes long‑term restoration possible: acquiring land, undertaking cultural and ecological assessments, preparing landscapes, restoring critically endangered Box Gum Woodlands, and establishing the systems and infrastructure required to care for Country at scale.
