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

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Summer Ready Community Workshop report back & next steps

October 27, 2026

Thanks everyone for coming to the Summer Ready community workshop lastSunday. It was great to hear so many people share their local knowledge of practical ways to make houses cooler, plan for fire season and limit tree loss after the storm, and to brainstorm...

Buffel Grass Bulldozer: Voices across Australia sound alarm on the threat of buffel grass at National Report Launch

October 08, 2026

Media Release 8 Oct 2026 Today, the Arid Lands Environment Centre launches the first ever National Report on Buffel Grass, the Buffel Bulldozer. The report launch includes significant advocates and scientists from across the continent. Buffel grass is the invasive grass burning through the...

Desert Mob: Nurnaka Urrkaapuntja Tharrka, Paintings on Buffel Grass Paper

September 16, 2026

We had an incredible time talking and working together at this year's Desert Mob Artist Talks with the phenomenal artists from Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) Art Centre about their exhibition Nurnaka Urrkaapuntja Tharrka, Paintings on Buffel Grass Paper. Buffel grass is an existential threat...

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