The Natural Resources Conservation League of Victoria was established in 1951. It evolved out of the Save the Forests Campaign of 1944. For sixty years, the League was dedicated to conservation and the wise use of native forests, and promoting awareness of the synecology of soil and water, plants and wildlife on public and private land. The League as a 'not for profit organization' operated four nurseries in Victoria and produced over 1,500,000 plants each year, predominantly native species.
Significantly re-organised in 2003, it divested its four plant nurseries, and withdrew from the league's long-term home in Springvale. In 2004 it relocated to the Toolangi Forest Discovery Centre, where the key focus is now on providing education programs to school and community groups in conjunction with State departments focussed on Sustainability and Environment. The League also operates in partnerships with other state and local authorities, schools, and groups, to uphold shared conservation objectives.
NRCL is now an independent, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to experiential sustainability education that embraces broad social, economic and environmental values.
In 1972, the league's accomplishments were publicly recognised by the State Minister for Conservation with the inaugural 'Victoria Conservation Prize' for " the most significant contribution to the conservation of the natural resources of the State of Victoria over the previous five years". The award related particularly to the league's role in the State-wide campaign to protect what became the Little Desert National Park.