FAQs

FAQ

• What is your mission?

  Our mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.
  
  

• What is your vision?

  A world where the diversity of life thrives, and people act to conserve nature for its own sake and its ability to fulfil our needs and enrich our lives.

• What do you do?

  We work in partnership with individuals, local communities, government agencies, private corporations and other not-for-profit organisations to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. We seek to protect natural areas, transform management practices and inspire action for conservation. Click here for more details.

  We empower our supporters to be catalysts for change. Through personal action, every supporter is on a journey to address environmental issues, one effort at a time. We equip our supporters with the knowledge to be ambassadors for nature, spreading their passion for smart and impactful conservation across their personal networks. Whether as an individual, or collectively as a corporation, everyone can be a catalyst for change.

• What makes you different from other conservation charities?

  We have the experience, the vision and the scientific expertise to conserve our planet in ways that make a real and lasting difference for nature and people. We offer non-confrontational, pragmatic solutions to conservation challenges that respect everyone’s rights and interests.  As a global organisation operating in 76 countries and 9 territories, we also have the unique resources needed to enact positive change at the scope and pace our planet so critically requires.

• How do you choose which projects to conduct?

  Choosing which projects to get involved in comes about as a result of an assessment of the greatest conservation need, alignment with our conservation priorities and availability of sustainable funding. These considerations are guided by the principles of our Conservation by Design process.

• What is your role in the National Reserve System?

  The National Reserve System (NRS) is Australia’s collective place-based conservation effort and includes public, private and indigenous conservation areas. More than 17% of Australia is protected in the NRS and it is made up of over 10,000 individual protected areas. In all, the NRS covers an area about twenty times the size of Tasmania. We have helped achieve the acquisition and/or management of 29 high priority additions to the NRS, covering 3.5 million ha including many of the largest private protected areas in Australia.

• How do you work with Indigenous communities for conservation?

  We have a track record of delivering projects that provide significant benefits for the environment as well as having positive social, economic and cultural results for local communities. We are currently influencing conservation over nearly 40 million hectares of Indigenous lands across northern Australia’s vast savannas and aridlands from the Kimberley to Cape York.

  Working collaboratively with Indigenous organisations underpins much of our work. For example, we have worked in collaboration with the Kimberly Land Council, the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) and .

  Traditional landowners will continue to manage this massive area through the work of indigenous rangers.

  One of our greatest achievements has been to partner with the NRS program of the Australian Government and the ILC to secure and return ownership of Fish River Station to its Traditional Owners. Fish River is a 182 thousand hectares property that supports extensive savanna woodlands and floodplain wetlands as well as at least 4 nationally threatened animals.

• Do you work on the Great Barrier Reef?

  While we don't currently have an active program in the Great Barrier Reef, we have conducted important scienctific research there, for example a study that found the rivers that pollute the Great Barrier Reef.  We are, however, working  extensively on restoring shellfish reefs in bays and estuaries of southern Australia.

• Why does it matter if species or ecosystems are lost/become extinct?

  Scientific evidence tells us that life has existed on Planet Earth for around 3.8 billion years. Every species living today, including humans, lives in a complex web of interrelationships with other species, reliant upon them for food, clean air, clean water and shelter. As more and more species become extinct, the fabric of this web weakens and threatens all of life on Earth.

  At The Nature Conservancy, we believe in conserving all of the Earth’s lands and waters for both people and nature. By supporting us, you can join us in solving the world’s big environmental challenges with innovative natural solutions.

• How can I help?

  There are many ways you can support us such as with a one-off donation or by becoming a Conservation Champion, making a monthly donation for as little as $10/month.  

• What are your administration costs?

  We are committed to keeping our administration costs as low as possible, all in support of our mission. Find out more about our costs here.

• Can you help me with my school or university assignment?

  We love that you’re interested in our work. We hope you understand that we receive many, many requests for assistance with school or university projects. Regrettably, we don’t have the resources required to assist in this regard. However, on the pages of this website, particularly under the Our Priorities section, you’ll find a wealth of information about the work we do in Australia which we hope you’ll find useful.

• Can I volunteer my time to help The Nature Conservancy?

  In Australia we are a small team that works to achieve landscape-scale outcomes for conservation. Because of this, opportunities to volunteer are extremely limited.  

• How can I get a job with The Nature Conservancy?

  You can find out more about working at The Nature Conservancy, including all current job vacancies, here on our website. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept unsolicited applications or resumes.

• Can I use your name and/or logo on your behalf such as to raise money for you?

  Our name and reputation are very important and valuable assets. In Australia and elsewhere around the world where we operate, there are strict rules for charities like ours. For these reasons we cannot allow anyone to use our name or logo other than for purposes that have been authorised by us in advance and in writing. If you’d like to learn more about this, please contact us.