The Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC) is Central Australia’s peak environmental organisation, defending Australia’s iconic arid lands since 1980 through community mobilisation and advocacy for ecological protection, water justice, and climate resilience.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands where we work and recognise that sovereignty has never been ceded.

Our Work

Nature

Buffel grass is now considered to be the single greatest environmental threat to arid ecosystems. It out-competes native grasses and alters habitats, leading to more dangerous fires, significant biodiversity loss and loss of...

Water

Groundwater is the lifeblood of the arid zone, transforming arid environments into the oases of the desert. Shallow groundwater landscapes support the most complex, biodiverse and climate resilient habitat in the arid...

Climate

Proactive climate adaptation that incorporates climate justice principles involves taking practical actions to build the capacity of Central Australian communities while rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including actions to strengthen housing and...

Latest News

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Buffel Grass national weed listing delayed despite having the greatest “current negative impacts”

July 31, 2026

The decision to declare buffel grass a Weed of National Significance has been delayed due to being a “unique and complex case”, despite it being identified as the weed with most current negative impacts. The Nationally Established Weed Priorities Assessment Report makes clear that...

“Absurd to import more buffel seed into the Alice Springs region” Adam Bandt puts national spotlight on buffel response

June 23, 2026

Media Release 2026 June 23 Mparntwe Alice Springs (Photographer: Sarah Dalgleish) “Absurd to import more buffel seed into the Alice Springs region” Adam Bandt puts national spotlight on buffel response Today, Adam Bandt, CEO of the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) and Kathleen Herbert of...

Court orders ALEC to pay partial costs in Singleton Station Water Licence Challenge, as risks to groundwater and sacred sites remain

June 19, 2026

The Supreme Court of the Northern Territory has ordered the Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC) to pay 35% of Fortune Agribusiness' costs in proceedings that challenged the grant of a groundwater extraction licence at Singleton Station on Kaytetye Country near the remote community of...

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