• Professor Niall Blair to lead the Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) into the future, utilising his strong ties and a deep understanding of the agricultural sector
• In 2019 the former Deputy Leader of the NSW Nationals accepted a position as Professor of Food Sustainability with Charles Sturt
• Protection, conservation, and management of biodiversity on private land continues to be a priority of the BCT board

Charles Sturt University’s Professor of Food Sustainability, Niall Blair, has been appointed by Environment Minister Matt Kean as Chairperson of the Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT).

Mr Kean said Professor Blair’s experience in government and private sectors across more than 20 years 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.”

Professor 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,” he 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.

Professor Blair is also Co-Chair of the NSW Circular Economy Research taskforce and 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.