Parks

National Reserve System

Getting involved in the NRS - Conservation organisations

Conservation non-government organisations are the fastest growing sector building the National Reserve System.

Conservation NGOs are independent land conservation bodies that operate as non-profit businesses, buying and protecting land of outstanding conservation value. Their role is critical, as they complement the public reserves by filling conservation gaps, purchasing or covenanting land where governments are unable to do so.

In the past decade, these NGOs have raised over $20 million from big business donors and legions of individual supporters to add 28 properties - more than 1.8 million hectares - to the National Reserve System.

They range from vast monsoonal forest landscapes in the Top End, through arid desert properties in Queensland and NSW, former grazing properties in South Australia and along the River Murray, to threatened wetlands in Tasmania.

The NGOs' involvement does not end with the property purchase. They are in the business of land management for the long-term, and employ scientists and ecologists to deliver practical on-ground conservation programs based on the best available science. Their ongoing fund-raising projects bring significant investment targeting feral animals, weeds and inappropriate fire regimes. The NGOs become valued neighbours, collaborating with the owners of surrounding properties to manage fires, pests and weeds.

The conservation organisations' close links with local communities give them valuable on-ground insight into conservation issues and strong personal relationships that governments find hard to match. Their strong support base of volunteers provides management assistance in everything from weed removal to monitoring of water quality.

Many conservation organisations are also carrying out cutting edge scientific research on the properties they own and manage.

National Reserve System - Expenditure between 1997 and 30 September 2007 - Conservation NGOs

Measure

Value

Australian Government funds

$15,762,389

Conservation NGO funds

$20,202,148

Area (hectares)

1,831,781

Properties (no.)

28

National Reserve System - Expenditure between 1997 and 31 January 2008 - Conservation NGOs

Funding conservation organisations

The Australian Government, through the NRS Program, provides up to two dollars for every dollar invested by a conservation organisation to add a new property to the National Reserve System.

Funds are available for acquisition through land purchase or through a conservation covenant over existing land.

If you are purchasing land, funds may be applied towards the purchase price, to establish a management plan, to defray legal costs, or for help in establishing the protected area by undertaking essential activities such as boundary realignment or fencing.

If your organisation already owns a property with significant conservation value, NRS Program funding can be applied towards establishing it as a protected area through gazetting the property or entering into a nature conservation covenant agreement. We also have funds for the cost of management planning and urgent threat abatement work.

Ongoing management costs are the responsibility of the conservation organisation.

You will need to enter into a contract with the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts involving an on-going commitment to manage the property and report on management outcomes.

You will retain ownership of the land, and will need to agree to manage it according to international standards in conservation management.

Read about criteria and how to apply for funding.

Conservation organisations

Non-government conservation organisations involved in the NRS include: