History

The Beginning
A workshop was held in April 1986 at Griffith University involving a broad cross-section of public and private sectors and environmental disciplines. The result of the workshop resolved that an incorporated body be formed which was to become the Environment Institute of Australia. Principal objectives of the Institute were facilitating communication between environmental practitioners from disparate backgrounds and professions, as well as promoting environmental knowledge, awareness, ethical and competent environmental practice.

Formal incorporation of the Institute occurred at the first National Conference and Annual General Meeting in November 1987. The Institute was first incorporated with approximately 600 members, a remarkably strong response in the short period since the announcement of a new professional body being specifically developed by and for environmental practitioners.

The Australasian Journal of Environmental Management
The Journal was first published in July 1994. It was the realisation of a long-held desire to provide a professional publication directly addressing issues of policy and practice in environmental management.

Topics covered in the early Journals included the MABO debate, Feedlots and Water Quality, Timber Harvesting Impacts on Wildlife, Greenhouse: An Overview of Australian Policy and Practice, Social Responsibility and Biological Diversity. The Journal remains a dynamic vehicle for professional development and knowledge sharing.

A National Newsletter
The first issue of the Environment Institute of Australia Newsletter (now ‘the Environmental Practitioner’) was published in February 1987. The lead article was entitled “The Need for a Professional Institute”.

Major topics addressed in the early newsletters were indicative of the spectrum of concerns which challenge environmental practitioners: Atmosphere on the Boil, Science & Technology Statement, Our Country - Our Future: Hawke on Environment, The Recycling Revolution, Water/Land/Life – the Eternal Triangle. These issues are just as relevant today...

A New Chapter
The New Zealand Chapter of EIANZ was created with the inaugural meeting on 28th February 2003 in Christchurch. This brought together potential members from various parts of New Zealand. The first NZ Chapter President, Dr Ton Bührs

Since then the New Zealand Chapter has focused on building membership of EIANZ in New Zealand with regular forums/meetings in Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland and Bay of Plenty.

In March 2005 the New Zealand Chapter hosted the Institute's annual conference. The conference was held in Christchurch and over 230 people attended from both sides of the Tasman.

2012 and beyond
2012 marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Environment Institute. The Annual Conference in Sydney in October promises to be the best yet with some outstanding key note speakers and an exciting program. The Institute is currently enjoying a period of rapid growth with some 2,300 members. We are proud of our membership and our achievements. We are very excited about the future. Our history continues....