Environment Minister Matt Kean has appointed Mr Niall Blair as Chairperson of the Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT).
Mr Kean said Mr Blair’s over twenty years experience across government and private sectors made him ideally suited to lead the BCT Board into the future.
“Mr Blair’s strong ties to and deep understanding of the agricultural sector is going to be key in ensuring the protection, conservation and management of biodiversity on private land continues to be a priority,” Mr Kean said.
“Mr Blair brings with him outstanding decision making and leadership skills, and his extensive experience in stakeholder management will prove to be an invaluable asset to the BCT.”
Mr Blair is currently Professor of Food Sustainability at Charles Sturt University and Co-Chair of the NSW Circular Economy Research taskforce.
Mr Blair said he was excited to continue working with the other six board members and executive teams in the BCT as they continue to support and encourage private landholders to participate in land conservation.
“The BCT has a track record of providing solutions to private landholders to help conserve and protect their land,” Mr Blair said.
“I am honoured to accept this position and to continue a legacy that has so far committed over three million hectares of private land in NSW to conservation.”
The BCT’s mission is to support private land conservation through co-operative arrangements and promoting public awareness of biodiversity conservation.
Mr Blair also served nine years as a senior member of the NSW Government including as NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Water, Lands, Trade and Industry and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council.
