Trust for Nature

Trust for Nature was established in 1972 with the primary purpose of protecting and restoring nature on private properties.

We are guided by our Statewide Conservation Plan which provides a scientific framework to inform conservation on private land across Victoria, identifying areas of private land most in need of protection.

One of the ways we protect private land is to partner with landowners to place conservation covenants on their property, protecting it forever, even after it changes hands. We also have 43 conservation reserves across Victoria, including the iconic Neds Corner Station west of Mildura. Together with conservation covenants and reserves, we have protected more than 100,000 hectares across Victoria. There are more than 1400 covenants in Victoria.

Trust for Nature also protects land with its Revolving Fund program which buys and sells private land with high conservation values. We protect these properties with conservation covenants then on-sell them to new owners. All money generated through the sale of Revolving Fund properties is returned to the fund for future purchases.

Over time, Trust for Nature has developed several effective ways to achieve real and lasting conservation results across Victoria.

Conservation Covenants – Trust for Nature works in partnership with private landowners to permanently protect their land through conservation covenants. These voluntary agreements are attached to the title of the land and ensure the native plants and wildlife on it have the opportunity to flourish with protection forever, even after the property changes hands.

Conservation covenants are backed by Victorian Government legislation through the Victorian Conservation Trust Act 1972.

Stewardship support program – After a conservation covenant has been agreed, our regional teams are available to provide support to landowners. They can offer advice, land management skills and information on matters like species identification and government incentives.

Real Estate Revolving Fund – This fund has one purpose: to purchase environmentally significant land. The land is then available to be purchased by a conservation minded new owner. Trust for Nature also attaches a conservation covenant to title. Each property bought and sold through the Revolving Fund enables the purchase and protection of more land.

We also do other key activities to contribute to the above including advising government and partners and participating in offsets where appropriate.

Land for reserves – Trust for Nature owns 43 reserves throughout Victoria, including the iconic Neds Corner Station, a 30,000 hectare former sheep station in the Mallee, west of Mildura. In addition, thousands of hectares of conservation land brokered by Trust for Nature has been transferred to the Crown. This includes beautiful places like Greens Bush on the Mornington Peninsula, the Anglesea Heathlands and the Edithvale Wetlands.

Trust for Nature has many projects happening on private land across Victoria.

Our team works on partnership projects including wildlife monitoring, provision of nest boxes, fencing, weed control, revegetation, ecological surveys and assessments, ecological burning, invasive species assessments, pest plant and feral animal control and working with private landowners on their covenanted properties to restore healthy habitat.

Our 43 reserves rely on the generous support of volunteers. Get in touch with us if you would like to get involved.

Trust for Nature’s Board of Trustees bring a wealth of expertise to the strategic direction of our organisation, from business and scientific strategy to communications and marketing.

Chair, Geoff Driver; Deputy Chair, Amanda Noble; Gayle Austen; Cas Bennetto; James Bentley; Dr Sandra Brizga; Katherine Cary; Dr Georgia Garrard; Binda Gokhale; Dr Charles Meredith.

Consider making a bequest, a gift to Trust for Nature in your will costs you nothing now, but carries your vision for the future, and will serve as a living memorial to your values. Please contact us if you’d like to know more about this and becoming part of the Trust for Nature bequest society, Natures Custodians.

Our Bush Protection Program allows you to support us monthly. Recurring monthly donations help us focus on onground works and less on administration and fundraising. Our Bush Protection Program is our monthly giving option which gives certainty to species-saving work. If you’re a business, consider payroll giving.

If you would like to support the Bush Protection Program or give a one-off donation please visit our website www.trustfornature.org.au.

If you care about Victoria’s natural wonders as much as we do, there are many ways you can contribute to conserving them:

Covenant – if you own a property with conservation value, you may be in the special position of being able to protect some of Victoria’s native vegetation and wildlife forever.

Fund raise – hundreds of hectares have been protected forever due to the support of individuals and organisations, if you’d also like to be part of this support please visit our website to donate.

Support a project – As a state wide organisation, we have many different projects we are working on and many more that require funding. If you would like to find out more, please call and we would be more than happy to discuss with you.

Become a corporate supporter by partnering with us.

Learn more – visit our website www.trustfornature.org.au to find out about our work, news and events.

Sign up to receive our newsletters and regular updates including events.

Promote the purpose and work of Trust for Nature within your family, your workplace, your organisation, and your community (especially in schools to enthuse the next generation of Victorians).

Encourage others to be environmentally aware, and join the movement for conservation of nature in Victoria.

Volunteer – there are many different ways Trust for Nature can use your time and skills in our state-wide projects.

Attend an event – Trust for Nature holds many events each year, from supporter events to field days for land managers and visits to reserves. Go to the events page at trustfornature.org.au for more information.

Join us on social – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn.

Be in touch – we love to hear from like-minded people +61 (0)3 8631 5888;  Freecall: 1800 99 99 33 or trustfornature@tfn.org.au

Would you like to join our passionate team working to conserve Victoria’s unique environment? We advertise available positions on our website trustfornature.org.au and via Ethical Jobs, NRM Jobs, Pro Bono Australia, Careers Victoria. 

So much of what we do couldn’t be achieved without the dedication and goodwill of volunteers. Many help with planting, weeding, fencing, monitoring and field events. We also appreciate the volunteers who provide office support including data entry, communications, and administration.

If you’d like to volunteer your time and skills, no matter where you Victoria, we’d love to hear from you 03 8631 5888.