Tasmanian Devil at sunset in Aussie Ark's Species Recovery Unit, Barrington Tops, NSW

Our History

Aussie Ark began in 2010 as Devil Ark, created to prevent the extinction of the Tasmanian Devil. What started as an urgent response to one species has grown into one of the most ambitious wildlife recovery programs in the Southern Hemisphere, specialising in building robust insurance populations to tackle Australia’s biodiversity crisis.

From Devil Ark to Aussie Ark

From humble beginnings as a single-species project, Aussie Ark has grown into a leader in conservation. Founded in 2010 as Devil Ark to secure a future for the Tasmanian Devil, the program quickly proved the value of creating strong insurance populations in secure sanctuaries. Operations at Barrington Tops laid the foundation for large-scale, outcome-driven conservation, and by 2019 the organisation had expanded its focus and rebranded as Aussie Ark to protect a wide range of threatened mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and freshwater turtles.

2010

Devil Ark was founded to create a large-scale insurance population of Tasmanian Devils.

2011

Operations commence at Barrington Tops, establishing an alpine stronghold for conservation work.

2019

The program broadens in scope and rebrands as Aussie Ark, reflecting a multi-species focus across mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and freshwater turtles.

Scaling Impact

Aussie Ark now manages more than 36 active conservation projects, safeguarding over 17 priority threatened species across thousands of hectares of protected sanctuaries in eastern Australia. Our work spans a remarkable diversity of landscapes, from high-altitude wilderness and dry sclerophyll forest to temperate woodlands and riparian systems, each providing critical habitat for native wildlife.

These efforts are anchored by two core facilities: our alpine base at Barrington Tops, where large-scale rewilding and sanctuary management take place, and our partner site at the Australian Reptile Park, which supports breeding programs and conservation research. Together, they form the backbone of Aussie Ark’s mission to halt the decline of Australia’s unique species and restore thriving ecosystems for generations to come.

Tim Faulkner, Aussie Ark managing director, holding a Broad-Toothed Rat

Milestones

The Model Behind The Results

Our three tiered approach delivers practical, outcome driven conservation:

Threatened Species Projects

Breeding programs for insurance populations to prevent extinction, preserve genetic diversity, and produce progeny for rewilding.

Capital Works and Infrastructure

Purpose-built facilities, feral-proof fencing, habitat restoration, and sanctuary development at scale.

Science and Research

Partnerships with leading experts to drive in situ outcomes through rewilding, genetic baselines, and long-term monitoring.

Governance And Collaboration

Aussie Ark is guided by a dedicated Executive Team, Managing Directors, and a Board of Directors, all of whom generously serve in a voluntary, pro bono capacity. Their leadership ensures accountability, transparency, and long-term vision for every project we undertake. This governance structure is strengthened by the passion and expertise of our staff, rangers, and volunteers who bring conservation to life on the ground.

Collaboration is at the heart of our success. We work hand in hand with governments at every level, traditional landholders, community groups, academic institutions, and business partners to deliver outcomes that are not only measurable but lasting. Together, these partnerships allow us to expand sanctuaries, pioneer breeding programs, and rewild species into safe, thriving environments—driving real change for the future of Australia’s wildlife.

Meet the Team