Investors Donate $10 Million to Create 7,000-Hectare Conservation Reserve in Australia
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Technology investor Mike Gregg and his wife Sue Gregg have donated $10 million to purchase and permanently protect 7,000 hectares of land in New South Wales. The land, which includes forests, gorges, and rivers, will be managed for conservation instead of farming or logging through their nonprofit, the Great Southern Land Conservancy (GSLC). Conservation leaders believe it is one of the largest private gifts ever made for land conservation in the state.
Facts First
- Mike and Sue Gregg donated $10 million to purchase six adjoining properties totaling 7,000 hectares.
- The land will be managed entirely for conservation through their nonprofit, the Great Southern Land Conservancy (GSLC).
- The reserve contains diverse wildlife including koalas, greater gliders, and glossy black cockatoos.
- Conservation teams plan to restore damaged areas and protect the forests from weeds and feral animals.
- The donation is believed to be one of the largest private gifts for land conservation in New South Wales.
What Happened
On May 27, 2026, technology investor Mike Gregg and his wife Sue Gregg donated $10 million to purchase six adjoining properties totaling approximately 7,000 hectares in Australia's Great Dividing Range near Port Macquarie, New South Wales. The land, which consists of former cattle and logging land, includes forests, rainforest-covered gorges, rivers, and grassy woodlands. The purchase was executed through the Great Southern Land Conservancy (GSLC), a nonprofit the couple established last year. Some sections of the property had been recently logged, with trucks reportedly hauling trees away during final inspections before the purchase was completed.
Why this Matters to You
This large-scale, permanent conservation effort directly protects a significant tract of land and its native wildlife, including koalas and greater gliders, from future development, logging, and farming. It demonstrates how private philanthropy can create substantial, tangible sanctuaries for biodiversity. The restoration work planned for damaged areas may help improve local water quality in rivers and support broader regional ecosystem health.
What's Next
The Great Southern Land Conservancy will now manage the 7,000-hectare reserve entirely for conservation. Conservation teams plan to begin work restoring damaged areas and implementing measures to protect the forests from weeds and feral animals. The success of this project could serve as a model and may encourage other private donors to undertake similar large-scale conservation initiatives.