The Cairns and Far North Environment Centre (CAFNEC) is the peak regional non-government environment organisation in Far North Queensland. CAFNEC is incorporated as a not-for-profit organisation under the Qld Associations Incorporation Legislation (1981) and is one of nine regional conservation councils in Queensland. Our responsibility is for the area bounded roughly by the Torres Strait Islands in the north, to Cardwell in the south, the outer reef to the east and the Northern Gulf region to the west. This area includes the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area; both of which encompass significant parts of the Queensland State and Commonwealth protected area estate.

CAFNEC was established in 1981 by concerned local and regional community members with an interest in nature conservation and environmental protection. Since that time CAFNEC has played an instrumental role in:

• the listing of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area for its exceptional natural attributes and globally significant biodiversity and landscapes;
• helped protect remnant Daintree lowland rainforests;
• advocated for a comprehensive Marine Park zoning in representative areas of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park;
• campaigned for the cessation of broad-scale land clearing in QLD;
• campaigned for the protection of biodiversity and cultural values of Cape York Peninsula;
• supported the community in their efforts to protect high biodiversity environmental landscapes and wildlife corridors in the Far North Queensland (FNQ) 2031 Regional Plan;
• built capacity in the community to voice their concerns on inappropriate developments in the region;
• successful resistance to a government proposal to construct a 'Tully-Millstream dam' and associated hydroelectric scheme, which would have drowned some key habitats within and adjacent to World Heritage forests;
• involvement in the development of the Cape York Peninsula Land Use Strategy (CYPLUS);
• establishing Australia's only regional Environmental Defenders Office (EDO);
• successfully opposing the broad scale development of East Trinity Inlet and further protecting the Inlet through participation in the Trinity Inlet Management Program; and
• publication of 'Ecotone', CAFNEC's quality quarterly newsletter, over nearly two decades.

CAFNEC engages widely with stakeholders across community and industry to enhance nature conservation and environmental protection outcomes within the greater far north Queensland region, and to promote issues of sustainability in the context of anthropogenic climate change. CAFNEC also plays an important role within the broader environmental movement, collaborating with other organisations focusing on issues of local, state, national and international importance. Most of our work relates to advocacy and awareness-raising and the organisation represents the community and environment on over 25 Boards and Committees.

To view current projects and initiatives in more detail please visit our website.