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The Australian Conservation Foundation has welcomed the release of the Australian Heritage Council’s national heritage assessment of the West Kimberley region.

"The Heritage Council’s assessment supports the view of the Australian Conservation Foundation that the Kimberley's outstanding cultural and natural values are too precious to lose," said ACF executive director Don Henry.

"The Kimberley is home some of the oldest rock formations on earth, more than 300 species of birds, dugong and whale calving nurseries, the longest and most significant stretches of dinosaur footprints in the world and the stunning, culturally important Windjana and Geike gorges.

"But there are also proposals to mine coal, oil, bauxite, uranium and other minerals and to process gas on the Kimberley coastline.

"This area needs protection.

"Recent work by the Australian Conservation Foundation shows National Heritage listing for the Kimberley would create local jobs and benefit the region’s economy.

"We strongly urge the Minister for Environment, Tony Burke, to move immediately to recognise unparalleled natural beauty and cultural values of the Kimberley with National Heritage listing."

Minister Burke is expected to make a decision this month about National Heritage listing for the Kimberley.