Parks

National Reserve System

The Nature Conservancy

Website: The Nature Conservancy  

The Nature Conservancy is one of the world's largest conservation organisations. Its mission is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.

In Australia, The Nature Conservancy supports other conservation NGOs to buy and manage high priority land. It has formed partnerships with some of the nation's leading conservation organisations, including Bush Heritage Australia, the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Greening Australia and Trust for Nature.

Since 1999, the Nature Conservancy has invested more than $4.5 million to help Australia build our National Reserve System. For example it has helped Bush Heritage, AWC and Trust for Nature acquire some of the reserve system's conservations jewels, from Cravens Peak in Queensland to Ned's Corner on the Murray River in Victoria. Another $3.7 million has been invested in helping these NGOS manage the properties.

One of TNC's great global strengths is its strong relationships with big corporates, and its ability to muster the enthusiastic financial support of big business. With the establishment of a Corporate Conservation Council, TNC is now mustering the as yet untapped commitment of Australian business to build a sustainable environment.

In 2006, The Nature Conservancy announced one of its biggest ever private donations, with the pledge of $10 million over five years by philanthropist and businessman, Mr David Thomas.

Mr. Thomas, founder of the Thomas Foundation, has challenged fellow Australians to join him in this effort by matching his $10 million contribution and raising a record $20 million to save the country's most at-risk lands, waters and wildlife.

In less than a year, David Thomas's challenge has raised significant funds from private philanthropists, and contributed $925,000 to help AWC buy Wongalara in the Northern Territroy's Top End - a vast landscape of rugged escarpments, wild rivers and rare wildlife habitat for threatened species like the colourful Gouldian finch.

You can contribute to the Thomas Challenge