Strategic Plan Towards 2030 Engaging People in Conservation
Engaging people in conservation
Cover and this page: Pretty Point sunrise, Hiltaba Nature Reserve. Credit: Bill Doyle
Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Our Vision, Mission and . . . . . . . . 5 Cultural Qualities Our Expertise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Our Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
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Nature Foundation Nature Foundation is an apolitical not-for-profit foundation that invests in conserving, restoring and protecting Australian landscapes, flora and fauna to ensure their survival. We aim to lead the way in sustainable nature conservation. We invest in a broad portfolio of activities including: • Increasing the area of land protected for nature conservation • Multidisciplinary conservation management • • • •
Scientific research Nature-based solutions Creating enduring partnerships Raising funds for nature conservation
Stripe-faced Dunnart at Witchelina Nature Reserve. Credit: EBS Ecology
• Education and citizen science
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naturefoundation.org.au
Nature Foundation Strategic Plan: Towards 2030
Nature Foundation is committed to scientific research to address critical knowledge-gaps about our ecosystems. Knowledge underpins Nature Foundation’s work to ensure we are making the most efficient, effective and valuable contributions to nature conservation. Conserving nature is critical to the health of all human populations. Our vital nature conservation work is needed to sustainably manage Australia’s unique biodiversity, landscapes and waters for future generations, and to connect with and inspire more people to conserve our beautiful natural environment. We are respectful of the cultural integrity of Aboriginal Traditional owners. Our Strategic Plan will be accompanied by an annual Business Plan.
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This page: Hiltaba Nature Reserve Inset: Thick-billed Grasswren, Witchelina Nature Reserve. Credit: EBS Ecology
The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” Robert Swan OBE
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naturefoundation.org.au
Nature Foundation Strategic Plan: Towards 2030
Our Vision and Mission Our Vision Inspiring people to connect with and conserve the natural habitat of South Australia and beyond for future generations
Our Mission Engaging people, resources and good science to conserve the precious habitat of South Australia and beyond
Our Cultural Qualities Connected
Inspirational
We are agile and adaptable, connecting communities through nature
We inspire and create enjoyment through nature
Caring
Accountable
We care about each other, what we do and why we do it, we believe in the power of nature to transform lives
We strive for excellence in everything we do, holding each other to account, and working to the highest ethical standards
Innovative We are creative and resourceful in tackling major environmental issues
Adventurous We are bold and adventurous in our pursuit of conservation outcomes
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We have expertise in:
Our expertise
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•
Nature reserve acquisition and conservation management
•
Traditional custodian collaboration
•
Ecological surveys, assessment and monitoring
•
Terrestrial ecology
•
Nature science research
•
Threatened species protection and management
•
Invasive species and threatening processes management
•
Climate adaptation planning
•
Revegetation and restoration
•
Wetland and floodplain restoration
•
Nature-based solutions
•
Environmental consulting and management
•
Biodiversity and carbon projects
•
Environmental offset solutions
•
Raising funds for nature conservation
•
Student research grants
•
Corporate partnerships
•
Education and citizen science
naturefoundation.org.au
Witchelina Nature Reserve. Credit: Jenna Forbes
Nature Foundation Strategic Plan: Towards 2030
Our goals ONE
THREE
FIVE
Increasing areas of habitat are conserved and enhanced for future generations
Nature is better understood and valued
TWO
Engaged communities that support resilient habitats
An inspirational organisation that is financially secure and achieves operational excellence
Nature Science knowledge that leads to evidence-based decisionmaking
FOUR
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Bullock Bridge Nature Reserve. Credit: Alex Nankivell
GOAL ONE Increasing areas of habitat are conserved and enhanced for future generations Objectives Our Nature Reserves are examples of excellence in private conservation management where biodiversity conservation gains are achieved through landscape scale initiatives •
Actively plan for and achieve excellent conservation outcomes on our reserves
•
Develop carbon offsets as a conservation strategy
•
Actively monitor trends in the condition of threatened species
•
Have specific plans for each nature reserve to conserve ecosystems and threatened species
Understand and communicate the impact of invasive and other species on habitat loss and restoration •
Annually collect population data on invasive species on nature reserves
•
Actively reduce the impact of invasive species, overabundant species and vagrant livestock
•
Have a specific work program targeted at each priority invasive species on each reserve
•
Maintain our fencing assets to prevent incursions of domestic stock
Protect threatened habitat for future generations
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•
Expand the area of high conservation value landscape protected
•
Work with private landholders to increase the percentage of land protected in South Australia and beyond
•
Seek out partnerships to grow the national reserve system
•
Develop partnerships with Aboriginal people who are Native title holders to enhance conservation outcomes and increase cultural understanding
•
Establish a network of private land conservators
•
Seek out and engage the next generation of conservation volunteers
•
Protect vulnerable habitat by identifying areas of conservation priority and add it to the reserve network
naturefoundation.org.au
Surveying at Murbpook Nature Reserve. Credit: Dr Lucy Clive
Nature Foundation Strategic Plan: Towards 2030
GOAL TWO Nature Science knowledge that leads to evidence-based decision-making Objectives Develop a systemic approach to creating evidence that supports conservation of species and habitat on our nature reserves and areas under our care and control •
Use the latest information to guide project design
•
Increase the use and dependence on spatial data for land use condition monitoring
•
Understand and interrogate our own and others’ existing scientific knowledge and data sets, including ecosystems hydrology
Expand ecological knowledge that supports sustainable ecosystems •
Advocate for the importance of, and carry out additional baseline and ecosystem monitoring
•
Enthusiastically initiate multi-partner/multidisciplinary research to expand the reach and impact of the research
•
Be a collaborator and research partner of choice and facilitator to expand the influence of our research
•
Attract students to nature science through scholarships, grants, fellowships and internships
•
Annually run a university student grant program advancing the science-based decision-making for our organisation
Promote research outcomes on our properties and across the sector Increase ecosystem resilience as climate change impacts on our reserves and the landscapes upon which we work •
Actively engage with collaborators on climate change adaptation
•
Include climate change in all planning and decision making
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Kids on Country™ camp at Witchelina Nature Reserve. Credit: Katie Perry
GOAL THREE Nature is better understood and valued Objectives Involve more people and communities in nature conservation •
Identify partners and work on issues of common interest
•
Partner with organisations well-regarded by people within target demographics
Engage with stakeholders and influencers in a manner suitable to their needs •
Identify new communities of interest and audiences
•
Identify and use communication technology most suited to stakeholder needs
•
Develop information products suitable for direct application by conservation managers and landholders
•
Develop succinct narratives for scientific and policy findings, including two-page executive summaries for all major projects
Embed Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge in all that we do Develop relationships with land management influencers to achieve better environmental outcomes •
Be an active contributor to policy development with both the State and Federal Government
•
Be an active member of influential alliances at state and national level
Increase our credibility and profile locally, nationally and internationally
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•
Regularly profile what we do and our points of difference
•
Deepen our relationships with partners and collaborators
•
Advocate for the environment
•
Arrange open days on our reserves and landscapes on which we work
naturefoundation.org.au
Watchalunga Planting Day. Credit: Bill Doyle
Nature Foundation Strategic Plan: Towards 2030
GOAL FOUR Engaged communities that support resilient habitats Objectives Our conservation supporter base is highly valued and engaged Volunteers are valued and supported •
Create a community of conservation volunteers
•
Engage with partners to foster connections to bush and urban environments
Vibrant experiences are provided for supporters Aboriginal people who are Traditional Custodians are actively involved in our business through activities relevant to their needs Within the International Union for Conservation of Nature guidelines enhance ecotourism offerings to connect people with nature Promulgate the positive impacts of environmental watering regimes within water dependent communities Build our membership and donor base
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Field service workers. Credit: Caroline Nefiodovas
GOAL FIVE An inspirational organisation that is financially secure and achieves operational excellence Objectives Create a sustainable organisation by being aspirational and ambitious in a quest for funds
Maintain a fit-for-purpose •
Risk management framework
•
Increase our profile in the corporate and philanthropic sectors
•
Infrastructure
•
System of policies and procedures
•
Have a targeted appeal strategy to advance nature conservation priorities
•
Work Health and Safety system
•
Corporate structure
Be a highly professional organisation with a high standard of governance at all levels •
Attract the best possible people to serve on the Board, committees, the staff team and as volunteers
•
Invest in the development of our people
•
Review Board governance and performance every 2 years and implement the recommendations
Understand and be alert to changes in external policy and the implications •
Actively participate in policy development and design where it impacts the nature conservation goals and activities of Nature Foundation significantly
Invest in our people to promote a positive and innovative culture and to enhance the value of our collaborations •
Recognise, reward and celebrate excellence
•
Provide Professional Development to attract and retain people
Increase our financial security for future generations •
Increase the capital base each year
•
Perpetual endowment fund to increase annually
•
Increase the membership and participation in the bequest program
Ensure our costing framework brings stability and increases the viability of Nature Foundation
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naturefoundation.org.au
GIDGEALPA
LAKE EYRE
WITCHELINA NATURE RESERVE LAKE FROME
As at October 2024
Roxby Downs
LAKE GAIRDNER
SOUTH GAP
FLINDERS RANGES NP LAKE TORRENS
Ceduna
HILTABA NATURE GAWLER RESERVE RANGES NP
Pt Augusta
MONGOLURRING NATURE RESERVE Pt Pirie
TILIQUA NATURE RESERVE
Burra
Renmark
Our footprint Nature Reserves: Bullock Bridge – 202 hectares
PARA WOODLANDS NATURE RESERVE
RIVER MURRAY
MURBPOOK NATURE RESERVE
Pt Lincoln Adelaide
Geegeela – 102 hectares
Murray Bridge
Hiltaba – 78,000 hectares Mongolurring – 1,200 hectares Murbpook – 360 hectares
Kingscote
Victor Harbor
WATCHALUNGA NATURE RESERVE
Para Woodlands – 500 hectares Tiliqua – 85 hectares Watchalunga – 92 hectares Witchelina – 421,000 hectares
Managed Offsets: Gidgealpa – 20,172 hectares
Bordertown
GEEGEELA NATURE RESERVE BULLOCK BRIDGE NATURE RESERVE
South Gap – 3,250 hectares
Mt Gambier
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naturefoundation.org.au Nature Foundation Limited ACN 638 003 577
Kaurna Country Level 2, Payinthi, 128 Prospect Road, Prospect SA 5082 Australia (08) 8340 2880 info@naturefoundation.org.au
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