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TRUST FOR NATURE (VICTORIA)
by Dr Brian Whelan, Director Trust for Nature Victoria
An independent statutory organisation committed to the permanent protection of habitat on private land in Victoria has been operating for 25 years and is unique in Australia.
Through its voluntary conservation covenant program, it has protected over 10,600 hectares with 283 landowners and is currently negotiating the protection of a further 5,000 hectares with 250 landowners. The covenant is a statutory covenant under the Trust's Act, is registered on title and travels with the land, protecting habitat in perpetuity. Under the Trust's Act (the Victorian Conservation Trust Act 1972), the Trust can also protect land for science and education purposes, ecological significance of natural interest or beauty, historical interest, the construction and creation of areas for scientific study and areas set aside for public enjoyment, recreation and education.
The Trust has an honorary Board of ten Trustees appointed for four year terms by the Governor-in-Council. There are 16 staff, half work part time including eight regional co-ordinators working three days per week. The Trust has been supported by the Federal Government through the Bushcare program of the Natural Heritage Trust by providing two days employment funding for six of our regional staff. Provision of funds for remnant vegetation fencing initiatives conducted by the Trust in two CMA regions of the State (East Gippsland and North Central). The Trust has purchased over 120 properties with a value in excess of $20 million protecting more than 7,000 hectares. Half of these have been transferred to the Crown for incorporation into National Parks.
The Trust has conducted numerous public appeals providing taxation deductibility to facilitate community groups to purchase land in their area. Over $3 million.
Trust for Nature was the first community organisation to purchase land as a partner with the Federal Government for the National Reserves System. Naringaningalook, a 17 ha native grassland in excellent condition was purchased with bequest funds and Federal Government funds. Protecting land is only the first part of the partnership. The Trust has an extensive stewardship program whereby each covenant is personally visited once every three years by Trust staff to assist the owner with advice in conservation management. In the intervening period, there is an annual telephone call. To support our activities, the Trust is extending its membership program to provide opportunities for non-landowners to support private land conservation.
