Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute

Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute Helping to keep the Blue Mountains blue - Protecting Nature Together

The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area of Australia is an awe-inspiring natural and cultural landscape of over a million hectares. The exceptional biodiversity and ecosystems of the Blue Mountains provide clean air and water to the Greater Sydney region and a healthy escape into nature for over five million visitors a year. Like most protected areas, the Blue Mountains region is threatened

by climate change, development, wildfires, habitat loss and species extinction. We respond to these threats by sharing knowledge and developing practical solutions for a sustainable future. As a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute is part of a global community working to protect important natural areas around the world. We acknowledge the Dharug, Gundungurra, Wanaruah, Wiradjuri, Darkinjung and Tharawal language groups as the traditional owners of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

📢OPEN CALL: for amazing footage capturing the flora, fauna and incredible landscape of the Greater Blue Mountains World ...
10/06/2026

📢OPEN CALL: for amazing footage capturing the flora, fauna and incredible landscape of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area!

These amazing photos were taken (and generously donated to us) by Zakari Kha - Sydney based photographer with a passion for nature and conservation.

We’re currently supporting ZED - a French production company that is making a truly thought-provoking documentary about the natural world (you’ll have to wait for its premier on Australian TV to know more!)

They’re on the look out for any additional footage of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, and particularly:

🍃Drone footage of the Blue Mountains
🍃Vegetation and landscape footage at Lawson
🍃Orchids with insects pollinating them
🍃Platypus in its natural habitat

If you have any footage you’d like to share, or know anybody that does, please comment below or DM us for more details!

04/06/2026

Working together to protect what matters most 🌿

For over 12 years, Scenic World and BMWHI have partnered to preserve our incredible World Heritage-listed backyard for generations to come.

By combining research, technology and on-ground experience we’ve supported conservation of the Blue Mountains through:

🌏 10+ Years of Eco-Monitoring: Tracking local flora and fauna to unlock critical insights on how tourism and nature can best harmoniously co-exist.

🌏 Community Education: Delivering conservation events, workshops, and forums to inspire and educate the wider public.

🌏 Habitat & Specieis Protection: Raising critical community funds to protect vital habitats and threatened species, including the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater.

We have so many exciting conservation projects on the horizon—watch this space!

✨ Want to support the vital work BMWHI does? Consider becoming a supporter here: https://bmwhi.org.au/becomeabluemountainsguardian

Happy 100th Birthday to the voice of the natural world, Sir David Attenborough! 🌏For a century, Sir David has been more ...
08/05/2026

Happy 100th Birthday to the voice of the natural world, Sir David Attenborough! 🌏

For a century, Sir David has been more than just a narrator; he has been a tireless witness to the beauty and fragility of our planet.

His advocacy often supporting the protection of World Heritage sites globally, from capturing the first-ever footage of Komodo Dragons in 1956 to documenting the health of the Great Barrier Reef over six decades.

Here in Australia, his impact is significant.

He was a critical voice in the 1994 inscription of the Riversleigh fossil fields, which he named one of the most important fossil sites on Earth. He has also been a passionate champion for the - a "living fossil" from the Blue Mountains that he famously described as the botanical equivalent of finding a small dinosaur alive today.

Today, his legacy is etched into our landscape and our history.

Sir David reminds us that the natural world, and our incredible World Heritage sites are our collective and global responsibility to protect.

WollemiPine BlueMountains Riversleigh GreatBarrierReef ProtectOurPlanet

We were delighted to join friends and colleagues to connect, reflect, and celebrate the vital contributions of women in ...
16/03/2026

We were delighted to join friends and colleagues to connect, reflect, and celebrate the vital contributions of women in conservation.

Valuing their impact shouldn't be limited to International Women's Day - it’s something we should champion every day.

Inspired by the annual breakfast and live conference held by Bush Heritage Australia and Trust for Nature (VIC) - this event was supported by Blue Mountains City Council and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

Catch-up on the Celebrating Women in Conservation webinar: https://www.bushheritage.org.au/news/2026-celebrating-women-in-conservation?

We highly encourage watching for Lisa Miller’s reflections on her journey from technology leader (ex-Canva Head of Product) to founding Wedgetail —an organisation dedicated to biodiversity restoration through sustainable investment.

This is also a moment to reflect on the International Women's Day 2026 theme: Give to Gain, highlighting the power of reciprocity.

To everyone doing vital work for the environment in the Blue Mountains and beyond—thank you, and keep it up.

🌍 Earth Hour 2026 is coming — and they’ve set an important challenge for March and we want you to get involved!💪The miss...
03/03/2026

🌍 Earth Hour 2026 is coming — and they’ve set an important challenge for March and we want you to get involved!

💪The mission? Take 60 minutes a day and get moving outdoors every day.

We’re incredibly fortunate to live alongside a World Heritage-listed landscape that is millions of years old, rich in culture and history, and breathtakingly beautiful.

Taking inspiration from this Challenge set by Earth Hour this month, we invite you to step outside, connect with nature and experience the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

👉 How to get involved & be in the running for a Scenic World Pass & Limited Edition T-Shirt:

#1 During March, get active outside in the GBMWHA for 60 minutes. How often is up to you!

#2 Share your adventures online tagging the Blue Mountains Institute on Facebook or Instagram -

Each unique tagged post that tags counts as one entry.

#3 In April through random selection four people to receive one of the following.

🚠 A Scenic World Blue Mountains Family Pass - to enjoy unlimited, full-day access to the Scenic Railway, Skyway, Cableway, and Walkway in the heart of the Blue Mountains.

👕One of three Limited Edition Blue Mountains World Heritage T-Shirt

📢Why this matters:
Earth Hour isn’t just symbolic — it brings attention to the climate and nature crises that are driving unprecedented environmental change globally, including in the Blue Mountains.

Did you know that up to 81% of the GBMWHA was affected by megafires during the 2019–20 bushfire crisis, illustrating how climate‑linked extreme weather events can devastate vast areas of landscape and natural habitat.

Your 60 minutes in nature helps drive awareness on the importance of tackling climate change and protecting our local environment.

Board Opportunities Announcement: Chair and DirectorSince 2004 we have worked to help protect the Greater Blue Mountains...
26/02/2026

Board Opportunities Announcement: Chair and Director

Since 2004 we have worked to help protect the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area through meaningful partnerships, engaging in critical applied research and working with the community on projects to protect this incredible landscape.

We’re now looking to the future and forward to our next phase of growth. We have opened Expressions of Interest for two voluntary positions: Chair of the Board, and Board Director.

This is an opportunity for you to contribute to the stewardship of one of Australia’s most iconic World Heritage Areas. We welcome you to consider the opportunity to be part of a dynamic not-for-profit Board, and truly meaningful mission.

To learn more about the positions, please see the attached information package here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HIJaSt3gsfhChqJfpemjYUH-Rzo0K8j_/view?usp=sharing

Expressions of Interest closes on the 15th of March, and can be made here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1t_yDYduCh6x2rFkpFlxveBFpxoDjGuBSILSwrXeyEWI

21/11/2025

Can there be a better way to spend your Friday afternoon than by registering for The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area Symposium?😀🤓

With tickets sold out to the in-person event, secure your participation in this critical conversation happening on Friday, November 28, starting at 9.00am. Reserve your place via EventBrite.

🔗https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/greater-blue-mountains-world-heritage-area-symposium-2025-tickets-1817103468389

Wondering if you’ll be able to participate online? As the goal of the Symposium is to forge collaboration and dialogue, we have designed the LIVE-STREAMED Webinar to foster active audience participation through:

💡Panel Q&As - Webinar participants are encouraged to submit their ideas and questions, which will be integrated into our numerous Q&A rounds.

💡Slido - the Symposium will bee using Slido - an audience engagement and Q&A platform to ensure all audience members, whether online or attending in-person have an active role in the event.

💡Access to post-event education, summaries and key insights.

Discussions will span the critical interplay between conservation and regional policy, the latest science on biodiversity and conservation, and the urgent need for collaboration across the region. The conversation is led by national and regional leaders from across First Nations groups, science, conservation, policy and governance and Country-led knowledge.

Address

33/39 Acacia Street
Katoomba, NSW
2780

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5pm
Friday 9:30am - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category