Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife
Encyclopedia
The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife is an Australian not-for-profit, non-government organisation that was incorporated on 29 June 1970. Its purpose is to foster the protection of Australia
's native plants, animals and cultural heritage through fundraising for environmental education and conservation projects. The Foundation is a member of Philanthropy Australia.
Since 1970 the organisation has raised more A$40 million ($1 million+ per year on average) for environmental conservation.
Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife Projects
Notable Projects of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife
The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife acquired the land for the Mungo National Park
, NSW and donated it to the National Reserve System in 1979. It also funded a resident archaeologist to work on the site from 1979 to 1983. With funds donated by Dick Smith
, the Foundation established the Mungo Visitors Centre and Laboratory in 1983. With further sponsorship from BHP, the Foundation implemented the Mungo National Park 60km long guided vehicle drive in 1990. In 2010 the Foundation is putting together a prospectus to create a new Centre at Mungo for education and research. If this project goes ahead, the Australian architect and winner of the 2002 Pritzker Prize and 2009 AIA Gold Medal Glen Murcutt, along with Wendy Lewin, will design the building.
Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife Policies
The Foundation is non-controversial, a-political and independent. The Foundation’s charter and policies guarantee that:
Grants for Environmental Conservation - Agency Grants
The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife invites grant applications for conservation projects from government agencies. The purpose of the Agency Grants is to assist the public caretakers of Australia’s reserve system in the protection of Australia's native species, habitats, landscapes and cultural heritage.
Grants are available for both field projects and education programs that have a direct outcome for nature conservation in Australia. All proposals are evaluated by the FNPW Projects Committee based on funding priorities, funds available and quality and quantity of projects submitted.
The Foundation may support approved projects through free Foundation funds, it may choose to run a targeted public appeal or seek third party sponsorship for the project.
The Agency Grants aim to fund urgent and high priority projects that cannot be funded through the agency’s own resources.
Grant amounts vary greatly, however most range from AUD $5,000 to $20,000.
Grants for Environmental Conservation - Individual and Group Grants
The Foundation also gives Private Land Conservation Grants to individuals and groups.
Small grants of up to $3,000 are available for nature conservation projects in three categories.
Not all categories may be awarded in each funding round.
A. Private Land Conservation:
Support for owners of covenanted properties in NSW to conduct habitat or species conservation projects on their property.
Small grants of up to $3,000 are available for Private Land Conservation Grants.
B. Scientific Research:
Funding for PhD students who complete a thesis relevant to wildlife conservation at an Australian University.
Application by invitation only.
C. Community Groups:
Volunteer and Community Groups working on conservation projects of native species or their habitats.
Application by invitation only.
The Private Land Conservation Grants are a co-funding initiative of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife, the Department of Environment & Climate Change NSW, Diversicon Environmental Foundation, Nature Conservation Trust of NSW, the Paddy Pallin Foundation and the Wildlife Land Trust.
Bequests to the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife
There are many different ways to leave a legacy to Australia via the Foundation:
The Backyard Buddies Program - Backyard Buddies
The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife runs the Backyard Buddies program. Backyard Buddies raises awareness about Australian plants and animals that are likely to be seen in urban environments, and gives tips on how to coexist happily with these species. The Backyard Buddies program also sells Backyard Buddy Toys - the funds from these toys go toward Foundation projects to conserve and protect several species of animals, including Koalas, Wombats, Little Penguins, endangered wallaby species and more.
Founder of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife
Founded the Foundation when NSW Minister for Lands in 1970. Former Premier and Treasurer of NSW.
Patrons of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife Past & Present
Presidents of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife Past & Present
Directors and CEOs of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife Past & Present
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
's native plants, animals and cultural heritage through fundraising for environmental education and conservation projects. The Foundation is a member of Philanthropy Australia.
Since 1970 the organisation has raised more A$40 million ($1 million+ per year on average) for environmental conservation.
Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife Projects
- Since 1970 the Foundation has acquired over 500,000 hectares of habitat and places of natural beauty for 50 national parks and nature reserves, including Mungo National ParkMungo National ParkMungo National Park is an isolated national park in south-western New South Wales, Australia, 876 km west of Sydney, in the Balranald Shire. It is part of the Willandra Lakes Region, a World Heritage Site covering 2,400 square kilometres, and incorporating seventeen dry lakes...
. The Foundation acquires land through purchase, donation and bequest. - Funded Threatened Species Recovery programs and research for more than 32 species of birds, reptiles, mammals, amphibians and plants. Many were saved from extinction, including the Lord Howe Island Woodhen, the Gould's PetrelGould's PetrelGould's Petrel is a species of seabird in the Procellariidae family. It is a small petrel, 30 cm long with a wingspan of about 70 cm. It is largely grey above and white below with a blackish crown and hindneck and a black M-shaped band across the wings and rump.The subspecies P. l...
, the MalleefowlMalleefowlThe Malleefowl is a stocky ground-dwelling Australian bird about the size of a domestic chicken...
and the Yellow-footed Rock-wallabyYellow-footed Rock-wallabyThe Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby is a member of the macropod family ....
. - Funded Cultural Heritage Conservation for more than ten Aboriginal and European historical sites, including Fort Denison, QStationNorth Head Quarantine StationThe North Head Quarantine Station is a series of heritage listed buildings on the north side of Sydney Harbour at North Head, near Manly, a suburb of Sydney in Australia...
and Hill EndHill End, New South WalesHill End is a former gold mining town in New South Wales, Australia, in Bathurst Regional Council. It owes its existence to the New South Wales gold rush of the 1850s, and at its peak in the early 1870s it had a population estimated at 8,000 served by two newspapers, five banks, eight churches, and...
. - Provided education and awareness raising programs and resources for schools and the wider community.
- Funded the implementation, improvement and maintenance of walking tracks, viewing platforms, interpretive signage and disabled access in many national parks.
Notable Projects of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife
- Mungo National ParkMungo National ParkMungo National Park is an isolated national park in south-western New South Wales, Australia, 876 km west of Sydney, in the Balranald Shire. It is part of the Willandra Lakes Region, a World Heritage Site covering 2,400 square kilometres, and incorporating seventeen dry lakes...
The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife acquired the land for the Mungo National Park
Mungo National Park
Mungo National Park is an isolated national park in south-western New South Wales, Australia, 876 km west of Sydney, in the Balranald Shire. It is part of the Willandra Lakes Region, a World Heritage Site covering 2,400 square kilometres, and incorporating seventeen dry lakes...
, NSW and donated it to the National Reserve System in 1979. It also funded a resident archaeologist to work on the site from 1979 to 1983. With funds donated by Dick Smith
Dick Smith (entrepreneur)
Dick Smith, AO is an Australian entrepreneur, businessman, aviator, and political activist. He is the founder of Dick Smith Electronics, Dick Smith Foods and Australian Geographic, and was selected as the 1986 Australian of the Year.-Electronics:In 1968, Dick Smith founded electronics retailer...
, the Foundation established the Mungo Visitors Centre and Laboratory in 1983. With further sponsorship from BHP, the Foundation implemented the Mungo National Park 60km long guided vehicle drive in 1990. In 2010 the Foundation is putting together a prospectus to create a new Centre at Mungo for education and research. If this project goes ahead, the Australian architect and winner of the 2002 Pritzker Prize and 2009 AIA Gold Medal Glen Murcutt, along with Wendy Lewin, will design the building.
Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife Policies
The Foundation is non-controversial, a-political and independent. The Foundation’s charter and policies guarantee that:
- Funds only go to those projects that have a tangible conservation outcome.
- 100% of every donation given for a specific cause goes towards this project.
- All donations over A$2 are tax-deductible.
- Administration costs are kept low and do not pay for advertising or employ external fundraising agencies.
- Donors’ rights are respected and their details kept confidential.
- The Foundation refrains from fundraising in the streets or at people’s doors.
Grants for Environmental Conservation - Agency Grants
The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife invites grant applications for conservation projects from government agencies. The purpose of the Agency Grants is to assist the public caretakers of Australia’s reserve system in the protection of Australia's native species, habitats, landscapes and cultural heritage.
Grants are available for both field projects and education programs that have a direct outcome for nature conservation in Australia. All proposals are evaluated by the FNPW Projects Committee based on funding priorities, funds available and quality and quantity of projects submitted.
The Foundation may support approved projects through free Foundation funds, it may choose to run a targeted public appeal or seek third party sponsorship for the project.
The Agency Grants aim to fund urgent and high priority projects that cannot be funded through the agency’s own resources.
Grant amounts vary greatly, however most range from AUD $5,000 to $20,000.
Grants for Environmental Conservation - Individual and Group Grants
The Foundation also gives Private Land Conservation Grants to individuals and groups.
Small grants of up to $3,000 are available for nature conservation projects in three categories.
Not all categories may be awarded in each funding round.
A. Private Land Conservation:
Support for owners of covenanted properties in NSW to conduct habitat or species conservation projects on their property.
Small grants of up to $3,000 are available for Private Land Conservation Grants.
B. Scientific Research:
Funding for PhD students who complete a thesis relevant to wildlife conservation at an Australian University.
Application by invitation only.
C. Community Groups:
Volunteer and Community Groups working on conservation projects of native species or their habitats.
Application by invitation only.
The Private Land Conservation Grants are a co-funding initiative of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife, the Department of Environment & Climate Change NSW, Diversicon Environmental Foundation, Nature Conservation Trust of NSW, the Paddy Pallin Foundation and the Wildlife Land Trust.
Bequests to the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife
There are many different ways to leave a legacy to Australia via the Foundation:
- Specific Bequests: A specific amount from your estate will be transferred as a gift to the Foundation
- Proportional Bequests: A percentage of your estate will be transferred as a gift to the Foundation. Few of us can anticipate the value of our assets at death, so giving a percentage of your estate will retain flexibility.
- Residual Bequests: The “residue” refers to all property available after other terms of the will or trust are satisfied. Residual bequests may be small or large, but in either case, you will have the assurance that your loved ones will be provided for before any charitable dispositions are made.
- Contingent Bequests: In this case an amount or portion of your bequest will go to the Foundation only if one or more other beneficiaries of your will may not survive you.
- Life Insurance Policies: You can include the Foundation as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy.
- Leaving an Income or Life Estate for a Loved One: If your property will be needed to ensure a comfortable lifestyle for a loved one, consider leaving the use of your property to that person for their lifetime. At that person's death, the property will be distributed to the Foundation, as you specify in your will. Or, you may set aside property for a period of years, generating income for a specific purpose such as the education of children or grandchildren until a specific age. At the end of the period, all or a portion of the property could pass to the Foundation, as you have specified.
The Backyard Buddies Program - Backyard Buddies
The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife runs the Backyard Buddies program. Backyard Buddies raises awareness about Australian plants and animals that are likely to be seen in urban environments, and gives tips on how to coexist happily with these species. The Backyard Buddies program also sells Backyard Buddy Toys - the funds from these toys go toward Foundation projects to conserve and protect several species of animals, including Koalas, Wombats, Little Penguins, endangered wallaby species and more.
Founder of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife
- 1970 The Honourable Tom Lewis (Australian politician)Tom Lewis (Australian politician)Thomas Lancelot Lewis AO is a former New South Wales politician, Premier of New South Wales and Minister of the Crown in the cabinets of Sir Robert Askin and Sir Eric Willis. He was made the Premier of New South Wales following Askin's retirement from politics and held it until he was replaced by...
Founded the Foundation when NSW Minister for Lands in 1970. Former Premier and Treasurer of NSW.
Patrons of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife Past & Present
- 1971-1979 His Excellency the Governor of New South Wales, Sir Roden Cutler, V.C., K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., C.B.E.
- 1980-1988 His Excellency the Governor of New South Wales, Air Marshall Sir James Rowland K.B.E., D.F.C., A.F.C.
- 1989-1990 His Excellency the Governor of New South Wales, Rear Admiral Sir David Martin, K.C.M.G., A.O.
- 1990-1995 His Excellency the Governor of New South Wales, Rear Admiral Peter Sinclair, A.O.
- 1996-2001 His Excellency the Governor of New South Wales, The Honourable Gordon Samuels, A.C.
- 2001-Present Her Excellency the Governor of New South Wales, Professor Marie BashirMarie BashirMarie Roslyn Bashir AC, CVO is the present Governor of New South Wales since 2001 and also the Chancellor of the University of Sydney since 2007. Born in Narrandera, New South Wales, Bashir graduated from the University of Sydney in 1956 and held various medical positions, with a particular...
, A.C., C.V.O.
Presidents of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife Past & Present
- 1971-1982 Mr F.S. Buckley, O.B.E.
- 1982-1996 Mr Michael J. Crouch, A.M.
- 1996-1998 Mr Guy S. Cooper, F.A.I.M., L.A.A.I., F.A.I.C.D.
- 1998-2005 Mr Gillis G. Broinowski
- 2005-Present Mr Peter Jannsen
Directors and CEOs of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife Past & Present
- 1978-1988 Mr Michael Arnett
- 1989-1992 Mr Stephen Sainsbury
- 1992-1999 Ms Alison Evans
- 1999-2000 Ms Michelle Dunn
- 2000-2011 Ms Leonie Gale
- 2011-Present Mr Steve Corbett
See also
- Conservation biologyConservation biologyConservation biology is the scientific study of the nature and status of Earth's biodiversity with the aim of protecting species, their habitats, and ecosystems from excessive rates of extinction...
- Conservation ethicConservation ethicConservation is an ethic of resource use, allocation, and protection. Its primary focus is upon maintaining the health of the natural world: its, fisheries, habitats, and biological diversity. Secondary focus is on materials conservation and energy conservation, which are seen as important to...
- Conservation movementConservation movementThe conservation movement, also known as nature conservation, is a political, environmental and a social movement that seeks to protect natural resources including animal, fungus and plant species as well as their habitat for the future....
- EcologyEcologyEcology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
- Ecology movementEcology movementThe global ecology movement is based upon environmental protection, and is one of several new social movements that emerged at the end of the 1960s. As a values-driven social movement, it should be distinguished from the pre-existing science of ecology....
- EnvironmentalismEnvironmentalismEnvironmentalism is a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements...
- Environmental movementEnvironmental movementThe environmental movement, a term that includes the conservation and green politics, is a diverse scientific, social, and political movement for addressing environmental issues....
- Environmental protectionEnvironmental protectionEnvironmental protection is a practice of protecting the environment, on individual, organizational or governmental level, for the benefit of the natural environment and humans. Due to the pressures of population and our technology the biophysical environment is being degraded, sometimes permanently...
- Habitat conservationHabitat conservationHabitat conservation is a land management practice that seeks to conserve, protect and restore, habitat areas for wild plants and animals, especially conservation reliant species, and prevent their extinction, fragmentation or reduction in range...
- Natural environmentNatural environmentThe natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....
- Natural capitalNatural capitalNatural capital is the extension of the economic notion of capital to goods and services relating to the natural environment. Natural capital is thus the stock of natural ecosystems that yields a flow of valuable ecosystem goods or services into the future...
- Natural resourceNatural resourceNatural resources occur naturally within environments that exist relatively undisturbed by mankind, in a natural form. A natural resource is often characterized by amounts of biodiversity and geodiversity existent in various ecosystems....
- Renewable resourceRenewable resourceA renewable resource is a natural resource with the ability of being replaced through biological or other natural processes and replenished with the passage of time...
- Sustainable developmentSustainable developmentSustainable development is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come...
- SustainabilitySustainabilitySustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...