Land for Wildlife
A community of landholders who are fighting native species extinction on their properties.
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At a glance
The Victorian Government has announced that the iconic voluntary wildlife conservation program, Land for Wildlife, is being transferred to Trust for Nature.
We are honoured and excited to support more Victorians to protect habitat on their properties through the iconic Land for Wildlife program.
Land for Wildlife is a voluntary wildlife conservation program which acknowledges and recognises private landowners who are managing and or restoring habitat for wildlife on their property.
The Land for Wildlife community make a significant contribution to native biodiversity conservation. They are actively involved in protecting and restoring habitat on their own land. Approximately 5,000 properties (comprising 536,000 ha of private land) are currently registered across the state.
Features
Land for Wildlife is a free, voluntary and inclusive program that supports landholders of all property types in protecting and enhancing native habitat. Members receive expert advice, educational resources and recognition through a Land for Wildlife sign.
Free.
There are no fees.
If you would like to support private land conservation in Victoria, including the Land for Wildlife program, you can donate to Trust for Nature here.
Voluntary.
Landholders make a personal commitment to the scheme. They may withdraw at any time if they wish.
Free of legal binds.
Land for Wildlife status doesn’t alter the legal status of a property in any way.
If you would like to explore options for legally binding, permanent protection of nature on your property, click here.
Inclusive.
Farms, bush blocks, parks, school grounds, golf-courses, municipal reserves, cemeteries, scout and youth camps, tourist enterprises, Commonwealth land, prisons, industrial land; small and large properties, are all eligible.
Services.
Land for Wildlife members will get access to Trust for Nature expertise and educational resources to help landholders identify, protect and enhance habitat for native plants and animals on their properties.
Sign.
A Land for Wildlife sign is issued to the “registered landholder”, to be displayed at the property. It belongs to the Land for Wildlife program. The landholder shall return the sign if the land is sold or the landholder membership ceases.
The history of Land for Wildlife
Land for Wildlife was established in Victoria in 1981. It started as a community partnership between the Victorian government and Bird Observers Club (now Birdlife Australia). The program is one of the longest running government programs in Victoria providing voluntary, non-binding conservation agreements with landholders.
The Land for Wildlife Program has been delivered in other States and Territories of Australia and New Zealand since 1990, under a voluntary agreement with the State of Victoria.
In late 2025, the Victorian Government announced the historic transfer of Land for Wildlife to Trust for Nature.
Property Qualifications
To be registered with Land for Wildlife, the following eligibility requirements need to be met.
The property must:
- be more than 1 hectare or 2.47 acres in size
- have more than 10% native vegetation as wildlife habitat
Optional criteria:
- be connected to a natural wildlife corridor, and
- be located outside of urban developed areas, or away from areas with high density residential, commercial, or road infrastructure.
Landholders will need to demonstrate how they will manage the property for nature conservation or how they plan to integrate nature conservation with land management objectives. The Land for Wildlife status of the property will be retained so long as nature conservation objectives are upheld.
If the property changes ownership, then the new owners need to re-apply.
Land for Wildlife is responsive to the needs of landholders and recognises that each landholder will have a different capacity to participate in the scheme.
If you need help in restoring native vegetation, please contact your nearest Landcare Group or the Bushbank Program for more information.
