1974 Following the drowning of Lake Pedder by the Tasmanian Hydroelectric Commission (HEC), a small group of people meet and form an organisation dedicated to the protection of South West Tasmania's Wilderness.

1976 The organisation becomes the Tasmanian Wilderness Society whose mission is to promote the concept of wilderness, to prevent the destruction of wilderness and to enlarge the area of protected wilderness. The society begins a seven year campaign to stop the HEC from flooding the Franklin and Gordon Rivers.

1976-82 The society establishes branches throughout Australia and overseas. Its campaigns produce Australia's largest ever rallies, unprecedented media attention and an active participation by thousands of people. There are many achievements, but also many setbacks, and construction of the dam begins.

1982 750,000 ha of the Western Tasmanian Wilderness National Parks are placed on the World Heritage List. On the same day, the society begins Australia's biggest and most successful non-violent protest action at the site of the Gordon Franklin dam.

1983 Wilderness Society director Bob Brown is simultaneously gaoled and made "Australian of the year". The society's campaign becomes a crucial focal issue in the Federal election. A momentous High Court decision prevents the construction of the dam. The Franklin victory becomes a landmark in Australia's conservation history.

1984 The Tasmanian Wilderness Society adopts a national focus, changing its name to "The Wilderness Society"(TWS) and resolves to work on wilderness issues throughout Australia. It began a "National Campaign for Wilderness" aimed at educating Australians about wilderness and achieving generic wilderness protection legislation at state and federal levels. TWS becomes involved in the campaign to preserve the Daintree rainforest wilderness and to prevent a road being built through it.

1985-6 TWS begins a two year campaign to achieve wilderness legislation for NSW. Plans developed for wilderness preservation in Tasmania and a new approach to forestry in that state. Participation in the campaign to have the Daintree nominated for World Heritage. In Victoria and NSW, campaigns focus on forestry and wilderness legislation. Kakadu stage II is included in the World Heritage National Park. Australia's first Wilderness Diary produced by TWS.

1987 Pressure forces the Federal Government to nominate the Daintree region for World Heritage listing against the wishes of a Conservative Government in Queensland. TWS and the ACF both run high profile campaigns during the Federal Election. Australia's first Wilderness Act becomes law in NSW. Shelburne Bay sand mining proposal scrapped. Federal legislation passed preventing mining in Kakadu N.P.

1988-89 TWS begins a campaign to have the remaining areas of Kakadu added to the National Park. It prepares a major analysis of Tasmania's forestry economics. TWS is involved in non violent actions in forests throughout south eastern Australia. Green Independents, strongly supported by TWS, gain the balance of power in Tasmania. TWS becomes a major participant in the Salamanka process in Tasmania to try and resolve forest destruction issues. 355,000 ha of Lemonthyme forests, Farmhouse Creek and parts of the southern forests nominated for World Heritage listing. 16,000 ha Douglas Apsley National Park declared. Denison Spires area nominated for inclusion in World Heritage area. Major campaign launched to protect Pink Lakes wilderness in Mallee. TWS adopts an Aboriginal landrights policy. Tasmania,s proposed fourth woodchip mill and Wesley-Vale pulp mill scrapped. 700,000 ha of Kakadu stage III added to Kakadu N.P.

1990 775,000 ha of Mallee wilderness protected. TWS becomes involved in Federal and State electoral politics in an attempt to preserve the Coolangubra wilderness in NSW's south east. The establishment of a South Australian Wilderness Act becomes a matter of public controversy. Shark Bay nominated for World Heritage listing. 600,000 ha added to Western Tasmania World Heritage Area. Australia leads the world in mining ban for Antarctica.

1991 TWS participates in a major campaign that results in an end to logging on Fraser Island and its nomination for World Heritage listing. The Federal Government prevents mining at Coronation Hill and includes the Kakadu Conservation Zone in Kakadu National Park. Joint action by environment groups delays logging in Chaelundi State Forest until NSW courts finds commission to be logging illegally. TWS makes the defeat of Resource Security Legislation its short term campaign aim. TWS also participates in "Roots for the Future" the international conference of Non Government Organisations, in the lead up to the UNCED in Rio.

1992 TWS organises a major long running blockade to prevent logging in Tasmania's Picton Valley. Australia's second Wilderness Act is passed in South Australia after a four year campaign that draws praise from all political parties. Resource Security Legislation is defeated in Federal Parliament and we embark on a major push to end woodchipping in native forests. TWS launches a bold plan for an Aboriginal owned wilderness National Park in the Kimberley. TWS activists work at the Earth summit in Rio on biodiversity and forest treaties for NGO's.

1993 The "Long Hot Summer" campaign begins. Its aim is to halt the destruction of our native forests. TWS and traditional owners cooperate in a landmark campaign to prevent the Starcke area of Cape York Peninsula from being privately sold. In support of this campaign, the Cairns branch undertake a 5000 km roadshow to publicise the issues involved. A remarkable 12 hour campaign saves 25 000 ha on Cape York from clearing. 70 000 ha of wilderness on Kangaroo Island is protected under S.A.Wilderness Protection legislation. Exit Cave in south west Tasmania saved from continued mining. Softwood Substitution Campaign launched in Melbourne to promote alternatives to native forest timbers.

1994 Peak Conservation Groups develop and submit proposals to Federal Government for 94-5 budget. Work begins on the submission for 95-6. TWS proposes additions to S-W Tasmanian World Heritage Area to include all areas of unprotected wilderness in line with many expert recommendations. Starcke campaign reaches successful conclusion. Month long blockade in S-W Western Australia. Shoalwater Bay saved from sandmining after a protracted campaign. TWS is instrumental in the failure of moves to expand the ALP 3 mine uranium policy. The wilderness and world heritage values of the Hinchinbrook Channel threatened by a proposed resort and marina. Woodchip licences around the country are once again up for renewal. And so the work of The Wilderness Society goes on throughout Australia.

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