Trust for Nature (Victoria)

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Congratulations and farewell to Vic Marles

Vic Marles, Trust for Nature CEO, with Lily D’Ambrosio, Victorian Environment Minister. Image: Annette Ruzicka.

The Trust for Nature board announces that after 13 years of leading and transforming Trust for Nature, CEO Vic Marles is stepping down from the role of CEO.

Vic has led the Trust for a quarter of its existence, and has implemented a lot of change over that time. Board Chair of Trust for Nature Gayle Austen said Vic has guided the organisation through a period of significant growth and consolidation.

Gayle said, “Vic has worked with energy, commitment and vision to build Trust for Nature into the pre-eminent body in Victoria in the private land conservation sector. There are now over 1,500 Trust for Nature conservation covenants in Victoria—a testament to the success of the Trust under Vic. Along with these and other on-ground conservation achievements, Vic has made sure that the organisation and our fantastic staff have grown too, so that the Trust has the systems, skills and human capital to support these achievements and to continue to grow and to pursue the vision of the Trust to protect biodiversity on private land in Victoria.”

Gayle said, “On behalf of the board I’d like to thank Vic for her work at the Trust and wish her all the very best for the next phase of her life and career.”

In announcing that she will be leaving Trust for Nature, in a year that also coincides with the organisation celebrating its 50th anniversary, Vic said it had been an enormous privilege to work for the Trust.

“I came to the job of CEO as an owner of land protected by a Trust for Nature covenant.  I have been so proud to work with an organisation which embeds its long term vision into its daily practice.  It has been an ongoing privilege to have worked with colleagues and stakeholders who are all deeply committed to protecting nature in Victoria in perpetuity and I would like to thank them all.  It has been inspiring to work closely with so many people whose actions are dedicated to the supremacy of our natural world.  Thank you.”

Vic said, “My commitment to conservation will continue and I look forward to contributing to the private land conservation sector in the future.  At a personal level I am still a proud owner of a covenanted property in North Central Victoria.  This has been and will continue to be a powerful through line for my life.”

Vic’s last day with Trust for Nature will be in mid-October when she goes on long service leave. Acting arrangements will be put in place until a new CEO is appointed.

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Satirist John Clarke leaves conservation legacy

John Clarke’s legacy was never in doubt. The actor, famed for his satirical comedy on the ABC, left a body of work fans will enjoy for decades when he passed away in 2017.

However the family of the late comedian, who was also a passionate conservationist and ornithologist, has now left another invaluable gift in his name – a small area of globally significant wetland on Phillip Island.

Helen McDonald, John’s widow, recently donated an eight hectare property that she owned with her husband to Victorian not-for-profit conservation organisation Trust for Nature. It’s a timely gift, given John would have celebrated his 72nd birthday this week (July 29).

The land is part of the unique, richly biodiverse Rhyll Inlet, which is one of the most significant sites for migratory birds in Australia and recognised as a globally significant wetland under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

The property will be used for environmental and educational purposes, with close consultation from the Bunurong Land Council. The Bunurong are the traditional owners of Phillip Island.

“This is very much about leaving a legacy,” Helen said. “John would have loved to know this land is going to Trust for Nature. It’s the natural choice for me. It really is my heart’s desire.”

John and Helen had a love affair with Phillip Island, owning a holiday house on a separate property to the donated land and living on the island part time for 37 years. During this time, John’s passion for birdlife and Rhyll Inlet grew, contributing to many happy memories with his family.

“John became an avid bird watcher and photographer,” Helen said. “He loved to watch the kookaburras with his young grandchildren. We also enjoyed the project of spotting the huge and beautiful sea eagles.”

In 1999 an opportunity to purchase the eight hectare property as a conservation project came up, and John and Helen didn’t hesitate. “We wanted to continue this important work,” Helen said.

The property was already placed under a conservation covenant – a legally-binding agreement permanently protecting native vegetation – with Trust for Nature by the prior owners.

Over the following 18 years, John and Helen built on the previous owners’ conservation legacy by encouraging the regrowth of the indigenous grasses, orchid, and swamp paperbarks; eradicating weeds; allowing fallen wood to accumulate for habitat; erecting wallaby exclosures; and planting 2,000 indigenous cultivars with help from Bass Coast Landcare. These plantations are now thriving, hosting a wide variety of flora and fauna.

After John died of natural causes while hiking and taking photos of birds in the Grampians National Park, Helen decided to donate the property to ensure the continued conservation of the precious land. “I’m devastated about climate change and I know every little bit helps,” Helen said.

Trust for Nature Port Phillip and Westernport Manager Ben Cullen said the gift is invaluable.

“This is such a significant part of the landscape and it’s a gift that gives new hope for threatened species in the area,” Ben said. “John and Helen have already done such an incredible job of rehabilitating the land and we look forward to continuing this work, incorporating traditional owner knowledge. We are very grateful.”

Trust for Nature owns 44 conservation reserves across Victoria, mostly donated or purchased with donated money. Trust for Nature has partnered with 1,450 landholders across the state to protect their land with conservation covenants, bringing the total protected to more than 100,000 ha of Victoria.

Helen still plans to visit the property with her grandchildren and said the land will continue to hold a special place in their hearts. “After John died, every little thing seemed extra significant,” she said. “A sea eagle started to come and circle the property. They’re quite rare, so John would have loved that.”

John was born in New Zealand but made his name as a comedian and political satirist in Australia after arriving in the 1970s. For 27 years, he appeared on Australian television conducting mock interviews and skewering politicians with his comedy partner, Bryan Dawe.

Media contact

Kathy Cogo, Media and Communications Manager, Trust for Nature, 0466 015 183, kathyc@tfn.org.au.

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Getting on with conservation

We hope you and your family and friends are safe and doing the best you can under the current situation where the Melbourne metropolitan area and the Shire of Mitchell have had changes to restrictions.

As we have all been advised, these restrictions mean that for people living in metropolitan Melbourne and the Shire of Mitchell, there are four reason to leave home: shopping; care giving; for compassionate reasons or seeking medical treatment; exercising.  There are also directions about work and working from home.

I’d like to provide you with an update about our reserves, our stewardship program and events.

Our reserves remain open for individual recreation, provided all visitors adhere to public health measures.

Trust for Nature staff living in metropolitan Melbourne and the Shire of Mitchell will continue their conservation work within the directions and we will continue to support landholders who have conservation covenants in these areas as best we can. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call our office on 8631 5888.

We would usually run events during spring where we hold open days across the state. Due to the current circumstances, we will postpone them to later in 2020 or reschedule in 2021. Stay tuned to our newsletter (subscribe) or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

For more information about coronavirus (COVID-19) visit the Department Health and Human Services’ website or call 1800 675 398.

It has been a year full of challenges so far and I am sure that we all look forward to activities returning to normal as soon as they can.

Yours sincerely
Victoria Marles
CEO Trust for Nature

Banner photo courtesy David Whelan

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Trust for Nature open for business

As much as possible, Trust for Nature is operating its business as usual during the coronavirus state of emergency.

We will continue to support covenantors through our stewardship program and property visits as best we can and providing it is safe for landholders and staff.

We had a number of events lined up for March, April and May across the state which we will postpone until further notice. You can stay updated on these through Facebook, Twitter, our website and our regular newsletter Nature News which is emailed to supporters and covenantors every two months. You can subscribe below.

Most of our staff in regional offices and the Melbourne office have started working from home and you can still contact us on the main number 03 8631 5888 or trustfornature@tfn.org.au.

For information about coronavirus please refer to Victorian Government’s Health and Human Services or call 1800 675 398.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times  and we hope you and your family and friends are safe.

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Yarra residents permanently protect land to save critically endangered species

Landholders in the Yarra Ranges are taking legal steps to permanently protect habitat for endangered species by placing conservation covenants on their properties.

Conservation covenants are tied to title, protecting habitat even after the property changes hands.

Trust for Nature has partnered with more than 1,400 landholders across Victoria to put covenants on properties, 48 of these are in the Yarra Ranges.

Ben Cullen from Trust for Nature said they’re working with neighbouring properties in the area to link habitat for all native animals, but particularly the threatened Helmeted Honeyeater and Leadbeater’s Possum.

“We have a cluster of neighbouring properties adjacent to the Yellingbo Reserve that are protected by conservation covenants.

“The covenants make a real difference because they mean that as urban pressures increase in the area we don’t lose special environments that are critical to the survival of threatened species.”

The covenants don’t stop landholders from doing most of the things they would normally do on their properties; they still keep animals, maintain their home, garden and lifestyle while protecting the really important areas.

“Many landholders we work with don’t know a lot about conservation, and that doesn’t matter at all.

“They move to this area for its amazing natural beauty. It’s a lifestyle choice for many—the landholders happen to also be critical in saving the Helmeted Honeyeater and Leadbeater’s Possums from extinction. That’s an incredible legacy and something they can be really proud of.”

As part of Trust for Nature’s Spring into Nature program, locals had the chance to visit two Yellingbo properties in October which had conservation covenants placed on title 12 months ago.

The properties showcase the diversity and resilience of the land and what can be achieved when it’s given the chance to regenerate.

Previously grazed areas now have rich understorey with many native orchids. The areas act as a buffer to the nationally significant swampy vegetation in low lying areas.

Yellingbo residents Gaye Gadsden and David Carr put a convenant on two-thirds of their property in 2018.

Gaye said, “I really love wildlife and we’ve just got tens of thousands of creatures that we share this property with and I don’t want to see their home compromised.

“We’re only caretakers here for at best a couple of decades and beyond that I want to make sure all of those other creatures that we share this place with, home remains.”

Trust for Nature is one of Australia’s oldest conservation organisations, established by an Act of the Victorian Parliament in 1972 to protect habitat on private land. It is a not-for-profit organisation that relies on the generosity of supporters to help protect Victoria’s biodiversity.

Main photo: Attendees look at precious orchids at an open day on Gaye and David’s property.

Inset photo: Helmeted Honeyeater.

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