Trust for Nature (Victoria)

Trust for Nature is a not-for-profit organisation that works to protect native plants and wildlife in cooperation with private landowners.

Our native plants and wildlife provide us with not only important services, such as clean water and resources, but they are important in and of themselves.

However, as two-thirds of Victoria is privately owned, many of these species and their habitats are not currently getting the necessary protection.

The Trust was established under the Victorian Conservation Trust Act 1972 to enable people to contribute permanently to nature conservation by donating land or money.

We have since evolved into one of Victoria’s primary land conservation organisations, with several tools to help people protect biodiversity on private land.

In 1978, Trust for Nature developed conservation covenants as a way to protect native plants and wildlife on private land, and we have now protected more than 58,000 hectares through over 1,300 perpetual conservation covenants.

The Trust has also purchased and preserved more than 59 properties across Victoria through its Revolving Fund, as well as currently owning and managing 44 properties that cover over 36,000 hectares of Victoria.

Trust for Nature has developed five key mechanisms to achieve real conservation gains across Victoria.

1. Conservation covenants - providing permanent protection

Trust for Nature's development of the conservation covenant Program remains as one of the most effective ways for landowners to protect native plants and wildlife on their own private land. The covenant remains attached to the title of a property, even if it is sold. 

Conservation covenants are backed by state legislation through the Victorian Conservation Trust Act 1972. We currently have more than 1,250 conservation covenants in effect, which protect 55,000 hectares of private land in Victoria.

2. The stewardship support program

Trust for Nature’s stewardship program supports landowners who have a conservation covenant on their property, offering conservation and property management advice to each landowner, helping covenantors maintain and improve the health of native plants and wildlife on their property.

 

3. Revolving Fund - a cycle of success

Trust for Nature's Revolving Fund uses the real estate market to achieve conservation outcomes. Funds provided through bequests, donations and the Australian Government are used to purchase environmentally significant land, which is on-sold with a conservation covenant attached.

All money generated through the sale of the properties is wholly returned to the Fund to replenish its reserves and enable future purchases. We have sold 52 properties through the Revolving Fund to date, protecting 6,6668 hectares of Victorian native vegetation.

 

4. Land acquisition - buying back the bush 

To protect native plants and wildlife, we buy and maintain properties with high conservation value.This enables both the regeneration of damaged habitats and their future protection. We manage our properties using best the private land conservation practices to help regenerate native vegetation and protect threatened species. Without the support of volunteers and ‘Friends Groups’, a lot of this conservation work would not be possible. We also use some of these properties to demonstrate private land conservation practices.

5. Eco-markets 

Trust for Nature arranges agreements between proponents who have a biodiversity offset requirement and landowners who want to protect the native vegetation on their properties. Through biodiversity offset agreements, a landowner receives funding from a proponent to permanently protect and improve the quality of native vegetation on their land. Trust for Nature facilitates this payment as well as the documentation required to meet the planning approval. We develop an offset agreement and a covenant for the landowner that creates a legal obligation to improve native vegetation over a 10 year period, and protect it forever.

Your Will - nature's future

Trust for Nature's work to protect Victoria's unique plants and wildlife is only made possible through the support of dedicated and passionate people. 

We've worked towards the preservation of Victoria's natural environment for over 40 years. In that time we have permanently protected over 100,000 hectares of woodlands, grasslands, wetlands and waterways. 

By joining the group of bequest supporters who have chosen to make us this special gift, you will help us both to keep looking after the land which we've protected, and to protect more of our precious biodiversity for future generations.  

Your Will - your choice

There are many ways to support Trust for Nature through your Will, such as:

- a residuary bequest, which means the remainder of your estate after gifts to family and friends have been made and debts paid. 

- a specific bequest, of a particular sum or percentage of your estate 

- a gift of property or shares

We recommend that you consult a solicitor or trustee while making your Will, to ensure that the correct legal terminology is used. You may also wish to review your Will every few years to make sure that it reflects your wishes.

For further information about leaving a lasting legacy to Trust for Nature through your Will, call Trust for Nature on 03 8631 5888 or email us at trustfornature!tfn.org.au