The famous Australian environmentalist Felicity Wishart, who played a major role in campaigns to protect the Great Barrier Reef and Australian rainforests and to stop land clearing in Queensland, passed away at 49.

The campaigner who has two young sons passed away on Sunday night. Until her death Wishart served as the dedicated Great Barrier Reef campaign manager for the Australian Marine Conservation Society.

AMCS statement said, “None worked harder, with as much grace, and achieved as many results to protect our heritage. She combined great warmth and humility with an ability to understand and fearlessly challenge powerful forces that threatened our heritage”.

Wishart has also worked for the Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) and the Wilderness Society. QCC said in a statement that Wishart was a creative campaigner and had been instrumental in the push to phase out broad scale land clearing in the mid-2000s.

Having over 20 years of experience in environmental advocacy, Wishart also served as a mentor to younger female conservationists.

Former Australian Greens leader Bob Brown said that Wishart was a ‘wonderful Australian’ and her death is terrible news for the country.

Greens leader Senator Larissa Waters said our planet has lost a great champion. This woman was a forces, conducted herself with grace, good humor and determination, Larissa said.

She was a role model for many young women in the conservation movement, and was a much loved friend to many, Larissa added.

Wishart’s contribution for marine reserves helped to secure 25 state-based lots in NSW, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, comprising more than three million hectares.