Trust reaches $1 million grant making milestone
In its first two years of grantmaking, the Natural Resources Conservation Trust (Trust) has awarded over $1 million to 12 different projects across Victoria. This is a significant milestone, with the grant recipients’ projects providing almost $4.3 million in value towards natural resource management initiatives across the State, supported by additional grants and co-contributions from project partners.
In 2019, the Natural Resources Conservation League (NRCL) established the Trust as its grant making arm. Significant Trust corpus funding was provided by NRCL to enable grant making to occur.
New grants given the green light
Two new grants were awarded by the Trust in November, to the Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network/Westernport Biosphere Foundation and towards a Broadford restoration project. Read more below.
$155,700 towards the Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network/Western Port Biosphere Foundation for their Enabling Biodiverse, Productive and Sustainable Rural Landscapes Project.
This project will enable the Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network and the Western Port Biosphere Foundation to establish a program that enhances landscape-scale biodiversity, agricultural productivity and sustainability, and reduces the impacts of climate change across the UNESCO Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere. The focus of this program’s environmental work is to improve biodiversity and species (flora and fauna) survival on a landscape scale, via vegetation mosaics and biolink connections. A particular emphasis is on reversing the recent decline in beneficial insect numbers locally.
$14,300 towards a Broadford restoration project, part of the Victorian Government’s Bushbank initiative – Private Land stream, with project partners Cassinia Environmental, BirdLife Australia and the landowner. BirdLife is part funding the project under its Birds on Farms – Yarra to Yea initiative.
The project will see 14.3ha of land in Broadford restored, to improve the habitat of threatened woodland birds and to increase the connectivity and resilience of the existing habitat. The property provides a link between patches of remnant vegetation across the plains to Mount Disappointment State Forest which is 3.5km to the south-east. The area supports numerous threatened species including gang gang cockatoos, powerful owls and brush-tailed phascogales.
Trust seeking new Directors
For over 75 years, NRCL has been actively promoting the sustainable management of Victoria’s natural resources. NRCL established the Trust in 2019 and provided a significant corpus that enabled the trust to commence grant making in 2023. This exciting philanthropic organisation aims to be a significant partner, supporting and building the capacity of community-based conservation, landcare and natural resource management networks.
NRCL and the Trust work closely together, guided by separate Boards.
We are seeking expressions of interest from individuals from a breadth of professional and personal diverse backgrounds to join the Trust board. This is an excellent opportunity to join a skills-based board with a deep commitment to the organisation’s purpose, values and long-term objectives. Incoming directors are expected to share this same passion and interest bringing their own knowledge of natural resource management and conservation.
The closing date for applications is 19 December 2024. The process for selection will continue into early 2025.
For more information or to submit an EOI, visit the Future Leadership website. Enquires can be made to David Baber of Future Leadership on 1300 347 437.
To learn more about the Trust, visit our website.
Upcoming events - proudly supported by the Trust
VicBioCon 2025
The Victorian Biodiversity Conference (VicBioCon) is an annual scientific conference focused on highlighting biodiversity-related research and management projects. In 2025, VicBioCon will be held at Monash University, Clayton campus on Wednesday, 12 February and Thursday, 13 February and will include a mix of engaging plenary talks, panels and abstract talks will feature on these days. Catering is included as part of your ticket.
Ticket prices are $50 for students (PhD, Masters, Honours, undergraduate), $100 for 2-day non-students and $70 for 1-day non-students. For more information or to purchase tickets, click the button below.
Grants for VicBioCon25
VicBioCon’s research grants are aimed at supporting PhD students and early career scientists who are undertaking research of conservation action within Victoria. They are also open to land managers, environmental educators, and community organisations (e.g “Friends of” groups) who are actively engaged in projects that increase understanding or persistence of biodiversity within Victoria.
This year, the event is offering several grants, including the VicBioCon Research Grant and the Youth Engagement in Forest Conservation Grant, both of which are proudly sponsored by the Trust.
Applications for all grants for 2025 are now open! Applicants must fill out the relevant application form and submit by 11.59pm on Friday, 17 January 2025.
Southwest Environment Alliance ‘Our Community, Our Environment’ Conference
Our environment is the heart of rural communities. The Our Community, Our Environment Conference brings together leading experts to discuss the latest climate science and explore practical solutions to address climate change. By attending, you’ll become part of a community-driven movement to protect our environment. Morning Tea, and lunch will be provided.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
- Prof. Tim Flannery FAA
- Rob Gell AM, Geomorphologist
- Dr. Roger Bodman, Climate Scientist, CSIRO
- Prof. Snow Barlow
- Dr. Denis Rose
- Dr. Adam Bester
- Kim Boswell
Please Note: This is an in-person event and will not be live-streamed.
For more information or if you have any questions, contact: [email protected]
When: Saturday, February 1, 2025 · 9:30am – 3pm
Where: Portland Golf Club
Tickets: $50 + BF
November Board Meetings head to Nagambie, Euroa and Avenel
The NRCL and Trust Boards met in Nagambie in November and following their respective meetings, Board members visited the Euroa Arboretum and Avenel to inspect the recent Seed Orchard plantings at each site, as part of the Trust funded Growing Climate Adapted Seed project. The Trust is contributing $165,000 towards this $370,000 project in conjunction with a range of project partners including Goulburn Valley Water and the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority. The Trust Board also donated protective garden aprons to the Euroa Arboretum (and to Seeding Victoria) to assist staff and volunteers to keep their clothes clean and protected during their hands on work in collecting, cleaning and planting native seed.
Looking Back – 80th anniversary of Save the Forests campaign
A nursery established as part of the Save the Forests campaign, marks the beginnings of the Natural Resources Conservation League.
Following devastating bushfires – which resulted in the loss of lives, livestock, homes and fencing, decimated mountain ash forests and severely affected Victoria’s timber industry – the ‘Save the Forests campaign’ was inaugurated at a public meeting at Melbourne Town Hall on Thursday, 27 January 1944.
The Nursery created as part of this campaign aimed to provide a service, which included supplying trees for community plantings, educating school children, publicising the organisation and promoting donations to the organisation. Public tree planting activities were vital to help create public interest in forestry, as well as increasing the number of growing trees.
By the early 1950s the Save the Forests Campaign consolidated as a not-for-profit Company under the title ‘Natural Resources Conservation League of Victoria’. It was incorporated on the 20 December 1951. Today, NRCL continues its work in the conservation of local tree canopies and through the creation of an environmental philanthropic organisation – the Natural Resources Conservation Trust.
Extracts from a ‘Save the Forests’ campaign leaflet, 31 March, 1944.
New Futures for Victorian Landcare landscape plans launched
NRCT and the Ian Potter Foundation provided grant funding to Landcare Victoria’s New Futures for Victorian Landcare pilot project, which has just achieved a major milestone.
In November, the Granite2Goulburn (G2G) landscape celebrated the launch of their Landscape Action Plan, completed as part of the New Futures for Victorian Landcare project. The Working Group, 10 pilot landholders and key partners have undertaken extensive work over the past nine months to build their case for a landscape scale project that will deliver for their local community and beyond, centering the environment, agricultural production and value for landholders.
The vision: “A restored Granite to Goulburn landscape with healthy and functioning waterways, habitat and profitable agriculture systems all operating in harmony with healthy Country”.
To learn more about the Granite2Goulburn Landscape Action Plan, landholders and investment opportunities, visit their website.
In December, landholders, farmers and stakeholders in the Buloke and Northern Grampians Landcare Network landscape celebrated the launch of their Landscape Action Plan, as part of their Windharp Horizons Project. Through extensive workshops, collaboration and expert input, stakeholders have identified eight priority areas for conservation and regenerative agriculture in the region.
The plan outlines a vision of “Local communities and partners collaborating for resilient, biodiverse, and productive landscapes”.
Stay tuned for the upload of the Windharp Horizons pilot’s Landscape Action Plan on their website in December.
The EOI process for Round 2 pilot landscapes is anticipated for early 2025. Successful applicants will undertake the landscape investment and planning process in 2025, assisted by project delivery partners. For more information, visit Landcare Victoria’s website.
Guy Taylor appointed as Mutual Director of both Trust & NRCL Boards
Guy Taylor has recently been appointed as a mutual Director of both the Trust and NRCL. Guy is an experienced property executive, whose expertise has been developed on international and Australian projects over the last 20 years. Guy is also a Committee Member for Victorian Property Council Australia (PCA) – Commercial Property Committee 2023/24. Being a regular committee member for the Victorian branch of the PCA provides NRCL with key industry insight, knowledge and connections that are valuable and transferable to its operations. Outside of the property industry, Guy sits on the Board of Richmond indoor cycling studio, Cycle Collective, which he established with partners in 2014.
Message from the Chairs
2024: a year of impact and growth for the Natural Resources Conservation Trust and Natural Resources Conservation League
This year has been a remarkable one for the team at the Natural Resources Conservation Trust. The Board is thrilled to celebrate a major milestone: awarding over $1million in grants—a testament to our collective efforts during these formative years.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our project delivery partners, including the Otways Agroforestry Network, Landcare Victoria, Euroa Arboretum, Seeding Victoria, BirdLife, Bunanyung Landscape Alliance, Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network, Southwest Environmental Alliance, and Wildlife Unlimited. The incredible work these organisations undertake to protect and enhance Victoria’s natural landscapes continues to inspire and motivate us.
In addition, we take great pride in supporting exceptional individuals in the environmental and natural resource management sectors through initiatives such as the Women in Environmental Leadership and Nuffield scholarships. Their leadership and vision are shaping a more sustainable future.
Our founding entity, the Natural Resources Conservation League, also had a year of significant achievements, marked by progress on the sustainable development project in Cranbourne and continued support to the Trust.
We would like to recognise the outstanding efforts of our Executive Officer, Les McLean, whose dedication has fostered strong partnerships within the sector. His ability to identify and support impactful projects has been instrumental in advancing our mission.
We also extend our sincere thanks to Fiona Lewis for her invaluable contributions during her tenure on the Trust Board. Although Fiona stepped down this year, we are delighted that she remains involved as a Trust Member, and we look forward to her ongoing insights and support. In addition, the NRCL Board would also like recognise the outstanding 13 years of service provided by Hugh Stewart who also stepped down this year. The Trust is fortunate in that Hugh continues his voluntary services as Trust Board director.
As we close 2024, the Board wishes you a joyful festive season and looks forward to collaborating with many of you in 2025 to drive innovative and strategic solutions to today’s environmental challenges.
~ Julia Hunter (Acting Chair, Natural Resources Conservation Trust)
~ Emily Johnstone (Acting Chair, Natural Resources Conservation League)
