A lifetime shaped by nature: Dr Bruce McGregor AM

The Tasmanian Land Conservancy congratulates Dr Bruce McGregor on being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service to conservation and the environment.

The honour recognises a lifetime of contribution to nature protection, including the permanent protection of Prosser River Reserve on Tasmania’s east coast.

When more than 1,500 hectares of bushland were secured as Prosser River Reserve, it marked a major win for conservation and a deeply personal decision for Bruce and his wife Ann.

Using a family bequest, the couple enabled the purchase of this ecologically significant property by the Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC). The reserve protects a rich mix of ecosystems and provides habitat for threatened species including the swift parrot, Tasmanian devil and eastern quoll. Protected in 2020, the reserve also significantly expanded TLC’s conservation estate.

Bruce and Ann tell the story of the generous family bequest enabled the protection of Prosser River Reserve here.

For Bruce, the decision combined personal values with practical conservation knowledge.

‘We knew TLC were the best in the business, so it was about alignment with the values of my parents, whose estate provided the funds,’ he says.

He points to the property’s scale, its variety of wildflowers and old-growth trees with breeding hollows, intact creeklines and riparian vegetation, and the rare opportunity to restore higher-fertility farmland to conservation as key reasons the property stood out.

Bruce’s decision reflected a commitment to nature that has developed over decades.

‘My father kindled my interest in nature, from looking at crickets and frogs to learning about native plants and birds,’ Bruce says.

‘A big motivator for me has been the protection and restoration of what makes Australia special – our nature.’

Community has been central to that commitment. Bruce credits his parents and the Scouting movement with shaping his values, and says working alongside people with shared goals has sustained his involvement over decades.

‘What keeps you motivated is joining with others with whom you have shared values. Seeing progress is very satisfying.’

Bruce’s professional life has been grounded in science, with a long career in animal and fibre research across industry and academia. Alongside this, he has volunteered his time and expertise to environmental organisations for more than forty years, including leadership roles with the Victorian National Parks Association and the National Parks Australia Council, and co-founding the Nature Stewards program to build community knowledge and confidence in conservation.

Bruce says he was lost for words when he heard he would receive the AM.

‘I felt quite humbled, a bit stunned, and I couldn’t say anything for a while. It has been very affirming of my volunteer efforts over many years.’

His thoughts also went to the many people who supported the journey, particularly his wife Ann, who he describes as “a nature champion”.

Dr Katherine Tuft, CEO of Tasmanian Land Conservancy, says, ‘I’m delighted to see Bruce recognised for the wisdom and extensive practical contributions he has given to conservation. We are fortunate indeed to have people like him helping protect Tasmania’s natural heritage’.

Prosser River Reserve is just one example of Bruce’s life-long contribution to conservation.