A Trust for Nature partnership with farmers to protect habitat for the critically endangered Plains-wanderer – one of the world’s most threatened birds – has been recognised as a finalist in the 36th Banksia National Sustainability Awards in the Biodiversity Category.

Victorian conservation organisation Trust for Nature is a finalist for the Biodiversity Award.  

With support from the Australian and Victorian governments, The Nature Conservancy Australia (TNC), Country Road, Zoos Victoria and other generous donors, Trust for Nature is permanently protecting and actively managing 650 ha of the Plains-wanderers’ native grassland habitat on Victoria’s northern plains. 

“I’m thrilled for this work to be recognised in the Banksia National Sustainability Awards. Through partnerships we can leverage resources to achieve greater conservation impact and protect our unique wildlife,” said Corinne Proske, CEO at Trust for Nature. 

Only 5% of remaining native grassland on the northern plains is currently protected. Trust for Nature is working with landholders to protect grasslands with conservation covenants, which are voluntary, legally binding agreements that restrict activities that damage habitat.  Once registered on the property title, the covenants continue to safeguard habitat even if the property is sold. 

Canary Island wool-growers Jo and Greg Bear are two of the landholders who have protected 90 ha their property with a covenant. 

“It’s a never-ending commitment to our grasslands and their environment,” said Jo. “We’re feeling like we’re working together in a collaboration – we can bring a lot to the table as well and perhaps inspire other farmers to do the same. I would say that most farmers want to do the best for the environment, but don’t always know how to do that.” 

Since 1972, Trust for Nature has permanently protected more than 116,000 ha of habitat through upwards of 1,600 conservation covenants and 40+ reserves owned and managed by Trust for Nature. By 2030, the organisation aims to protect another 100,000 ha of habitat that will make the highest conservation impact. 

Victoria is the most cleared state in Australia. With private property making up 62% of the state, and more than 80% of habitat found on private land threatened, private land conservation is essential to meeting state, national and global goals to fight biodiversity loss and climate change. 

Winners of the 36th Banksia National Sustainability Awards will be announced at a gala awards ceremony on 3 April in Melbourne. Read more on the Banksia Foundation website. 

The project is supported by $1.5 million in grant funding through the Australian Government’s Protecting Important Biodiversity Areas Program.

Media contact

James Whitmore – 0450 653 811 jamesw@tfn.org.au