The Blue Mountains Conservation Society celebrated its 60th anniversary in October 2021 - and since it was during the times of COVID-19, no public celebration could be held.

The October 2021 edition of Hut News contained many reminiscences and a time line that is reproduced below - but now with images and links.

Society bushwalks have been the cornerstone of our activities - whether experiencing our special places with others, or in quiet reflection, they pepper all our newsletters, create memories and continue to provide joy and friendship.

Preface (by Susan Crick)

To recall all the achievements of the Blue Mountains Conservation Society has been a challenging task and Alan Page, Meredith Brownhill, Lyndal Sullivan, Margaret Baker and Carolyn Williams have met this challenge in creating this timeline.

An essential and legal requirement such as governance barely rates a mention. The thousands of formal submissions and letters sent, bush walks arranged and meetings held also get little attention.

The Society was also actively involved in national campaigns such as Save The Franklin, Daintree and Myall Lakes, and has participated in Nature Conservation Council initiatives for decades.

This is a moment in our history to pause and reflect on where we've come from. While some people are mentioned, there are hundreds that should be - especially those that served on committees for many years. To those, we say thank you.

The Blue Mountains Conservation Societies since 1961.

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Upper Blue Mountains Conservation Society (1961-1996)

1961	The Katoomba and District Fauna and Flora Protection Society was formed. Frank Walford patron; Fred Astle president.
1962	Name changed to Katoomba and District Wildlife Conservation Society, with the motto "wildlife conservation saves for future generations".
1963	Official opening of the Conservation Hut, Wentworth Falls - a refurbished kiosk
1960s	Valley of the Waters 530A Committee took an active interest in protecting the environment and the walking tracks, including the Nature Trail.
1960s	Campaign to prevent limestone mining in the Colong Caves - now protected in Kanangra-Boyd National Park.
1970	Newsletter No. 1 published. The October 2021 edition of Hut News is No. 396.
1970	Allen Strom becomes patron.
1971	Clutha coal mine in the Blue Mountains stopped.
1973	Gas pipeline protest stopped a gas pipeline being built through the Wollangambe Wilderness.
1974	Extensive town plan submission prepared and submitted to Council.
1974	The Save the Boyd Plateau Campaign stopped pine plantations and a paper pulp mill on Boyd Plateau. The plateau was added to Kanangra-Boyd National Park in l977, and declared a wilderness in l997.
1978	Land Preservation Committee formed.

1979	Propagating and selling native plants went into full swing to provide funds for the Land Preservation Fund. Plants grown at home, especially by Grete Vanry and Jill Dark, were provided for sale. Native plant talks and walks conducted.

1981-3	Bell sand mining opposed.
1983	Name changed to the Upper Blue Mountains Conservation Society.
1983	Leura Convention Centre/Fairmont Resort campaign started. The Resort went ahead but with modification of building design.
1984	Pillar extraction coal mining stopped at Belltrees (near Bell).
1985	Gracius Broinowski's painting of a Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo first appears as the Society's logo.
1987	Land acquired using Society funds and added to Water Nymphs Dell Reserve at Wentworth Falls.
1987	The Society became an incorporated organisation.
1988-92	Campaign against the proposed "Crocodile Park" at Wentworth Falls.
1989	Friends of the Blue Mountains, the first bushcare group in the upper mountains, was formed by Society members.
1989	Field work undertaken and submission compiled for Blue Mountains LEP 1991.
1989	World Heritage for the Blue Mountains Campaign started as Geoff Mosley wrote the first submission - which was unsuccessful. The leaflet "Our Precious Heritage" was printed.
1990	The campaign to save Elphinstone/Radiata Plateau from development was launched by Pulpit Hill residents. The Society, and especially Wyn Jones, was involved from the beginning.

1991	Society nursery at Blackheath opened.
1991	Campaign to elect environmentally friendly aldermen on the Blue Mountains City Council was successful.
1991	Campaigned for some years against rezonings which would have allowed a great loss of bushland. The first Blue Mountains Local Environmental Plan provided for more environmental protection.
1992	The World Heritage Walk. Wyn Jones inspired walkers and led the walk from Widden (Hunter Valley) through the national park system to Mittagong.
1993	The new Conservation Hut and John Buki Garden officially opened. A time capsule was placed in the Hut's wall.
1993	Environmental reference library was established in Katoomba Library with the Society's $3,000 donation.

1993	Society convenes forum of Bushcare groups and relevant government agencies facilitating the formation of the Bushcare Network.
1994	23ha inholding acquired using Society funds and included in the Kanangra-Boyd National Park.
1996	The Society's newsletter is named Hut News and becomes a monthly publication under its new editor Christine Davies.

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Lower Blue Mountains Conservation Society (1966-1996)

1966	The Lower Blue Mountains Wildlife Conservation Society (LBMCS) was formed. Mr. H.L. (Lindsay) Paish president.
1967	First newsletter published known as "Kalori" which means "message stick".
1967	Unsuccessful attempt to have the vacant crown land at Yellow Rock declared a Lyrebird Sanctuary.
1968	Motto of "Conserve, Preserve, Investigate, Educate".
1971	Clutha coal mine in the Blue Mountains stopped.
1980s	Campaign to protect Eucalyptus burgessiana (Faulconbridge Mallee Ash) from housing developments and frequent bushfire hazard reductions on northern side of Faulconbridge and Linden; process ongoing.
1982	Darks Common dedicated after years of campaigning to protect the eastern escarpment from housing.
1986	Submission to include the headwaters of Linden Creek in the Blue Mountains National Park. Campaign continues today on the now mostly E2 land.
1988	Subdivision plans for a housing estate in Faulconbridge Mallee country opposed; in the 1991 final deliberation, house numbers were reduced and Burgessiana Reserve declared.
1988-92	Campaign against the proposed "Crocodile Park" at Wentworth Falls.

1991	290ha of unique Castlereagh Woodlands in Londonderry saved from the State government's mega rubbish tip proposal; LBMCS was part of the fighting committee from its inception.
1991	Campaign to elect environmentally friendly aldermen on the Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC) successful.
1991	Campaigned for some years against rezonings that would have allowed a great loss of bushland. The first Blue Mountains Local Environmental Plan provided for more environmental protection zonings.
1992	LBMCS becomes incorporated; supports launch of Blue Mountains for World Heritage campaign.
1993	Practical action to assist local campaigns eg restoration of Glenbrook Lagoon and Deanei Forest, Springwood.
1993	Supported first threatened species legislation (NSW) and the first Gardens of Stone campaign.
1994	Bushfire control policy and hazard reduction practices dominate discussion in the wake of the January Grose Valley fire; first proposal to raise the wall of Warragamba Dam opposed.
1995	After many years of campaigning Yellomundee Regional Park was gazetted.
1995	Members voted in November to amalgamate with the Upper Blue Mountains Conservation Society.

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Blue Mountains Conservation Society (from 1996)

1996	The Lower and Upper Blue Mountains Societies merged.
1996	Valley of the Waters bushcare group formed.
1996-2005	Major campaign supporting the development of LEP 2005.
1996-7	Wollemi Wilderness proposal supported. The Wollemi Wilderness was declared in 1999.
1997	Drs Judy and Peter Smith published Buffer Zones for the Protection of Sensitive Vegetation Units in the City of Blue Mountains. The study, commissioned by the Society and others, established 60m as the minimum buffer necessary to protect sensitive vegetation communities. The findings of the study were adopted by Council.
1997	Detailed submission to Draft LEP 1997.
1998-2005	Detailed submission to Commission of Inquiry into Draft LEP 1997.

1998	The Society web site launched.
1998	Living Near the Bush booklet developed and launched.
1998	Amendment 25 to LEP 1991 approved giving protection to sensitive lands from subdivision development.
1998	Earth sanctuaries proposal for Canyon Colliery. After an intense public campaign the government returned most of the Canyon Colliery site to the Blue Mountains National Park.
1999-2008	Representations made to NSW government to incorporate Katoomba Airfield in National Park.
1999	Lithgow silicon smelter opposed. The campaign resulted in strict environmental safeguards being imposed.

2000	On 29th November 2000, the World Heritage Committee unanimously agreed to inscribe the Greater Blue Mountains Area on the World Heritage List.
2002	Amendment to NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act to add a category of "Vulnerable Ecological Communities" which subsequently allowed Blue Mountains swamps to be listed.
2002-07	Campaign to return Canyon Colliery to the national park. Most of the 900 hectares have been returned.
2004	Stealth movie filming at Mt. Hay found to be unlawful - "declared wilderness areas are sacrosanct".

2005	Blue Mountains swamps listed under federal legislation (EPBC Act).
2005	Gardens of Stone Alliance formed to campaign for the protection of the Gardens of Stone Stage 2
2005	Plant Study Group started for members to learn about Blue Mountains plants.
2007	Blue Mountains swamps are listed under NSW legislation.
2010-19	Election questionnaires prepared, completed and published in eight elections.
2011	Delta Electricity admits to polluting the Coxs River and agrees to take action.
2011-12	"No Hunting in National Parks" campaign.

2012-15	Coalpac's open-cut mine proposal rejected.
2013-15	Major campaign in support of draft LEP 2013. It became LEP 2015.
2013-20	Supporting the preparation of the Bush Tracker guides for kids.
2015	Inaugural "Mick Dark Talk for the Future" held.
2018	Campaign to have the Katoomba Airfield incorporated in the Blue Mountains National Park recommenced.
2019	After a thirty year campaign with local residents, Radiata Plateau becomes the Ngula Bulgarabang Regional Park.
2021	The Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area is finally created after twenty year campaign.