Nature Foundation

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"National Parks Foundation" redirects here. For the U.S. organisation, see National Park Foundation.

Nature Foundation, formerly The National Parks Foundation and Nature Foundation SA Inc. (NFSA), is the largest non-government

stations
.

History

The Nature Foundation was founded as The National Parks Foundation

AO (a medical doctor and lecturer at the University of Adelaide[2]) and David Cleland.[3][4][5] It grew and extended its functions, becoming Nature Foundation about 10 years later.[1] It was formerly known as Nature Foundation SA Inc.[6] (also referred to as NFSA[3]
).

It was formerly headquartered in Hindmarsh.[3]

By the time of its 30th anniversary in 2011, it had helped to enable the acquisition of over 25 properties covering over 7,000 km2 (2,700 sq mi) for conservation purposes, and provided grants to more than 300 university researchers. Around this time, it created the "Water for Nature" which involved the purchase of water along the

River Murray in order to use it in conserving small, private wetland areas along the river.[3]

In 2011 and 2012 the foundation held two fund-raising

bush walks. In 2012, there was a choice of three walks: easy (3 km (1.9 mi)), intermediate (6 km (3.7 mi) and hard (12 km (7.5 mi), all along part of the Heysen Trail. It was anticipated that around A$30,000 would be raised by around 500 participants.[7]

CEO Hugo Hopton retired on 22 April 2022, after six years of service.[8]

Description

Nature Foundation is the largest non-government conservation organisation based in South Australia, and undertakes programs in conserving land, wetland and species.[1] Its stated mission is "engaging people, resources and good science to conserve the precious habitat of South Australia".[9]

Its Bush Bank SA enabled the foundation to purchase and rejuvenate properties which it has then sold to new owners who are obliged to maintain them under conservation status.[3]

Its work includes managing nature reserves;[10] undertaking a wide-ranging science strategy, including arranging funding for ecological research;[11] conservation programs, such as Water for Nature and the Bushbank Revolving Fund;[12] the Kids on Country program;[13] and various other initiatives. It is a member of Friends of Parks South Australia.[14]

It also delivers the Revitalising Private Conservation in South Australia program, which coordinates and delivers funding for conservation programs by the

Conservation SA, Livestock SA, Nature Conservation Society of South Australia and Trees for Life.[16]

Governance and funding

Nature Foundation is a

working bees.[1]

In addition, there are a number of committees, and rotational managers who spend time managing the various properties.[18]

Since before 2011[3] and as of 2015, Bob Lott was president of the foundation.[19]

The

CEO was Hugo Hopton[16][20] for six years until his retirement on 22 April 2022.[8] Alex Nankivell, who has been with the foundation since 2008 and is also Science and Knowledge Program Manager, took over as interim CEO, with Mark Ashley as deputy.[21]

As of April 2022[update] Jan Ferguson

geophysicist Reg Nelson.[22]

Apart from government grants, the foundation receives donations from local

philanthropists and a portion of the "significant environmental benefits" payments which mining companies have to pay in South Australia, and undertakes fund-raising drives.[3]

Nature reserves

As of 2022[update] Nature Foundation's nature reserves comprise nearly 40 per cent of all private protected areas in South Australia, and 6 per cent nationally. It implements various conservation projects that bring biodiversity benefits to these areas. It owns and manages eight nature reserves:[10]

Watchalunga was established in March 2015, and comprises around 20 per cent of the

Conservation SA in managing the land and undertaking research at Watchlunga.[19]

Kids on Country

The "Kids on Country" program, for Aboriginal adolescents, is aimed at improving well-being, teaching life skills, building self-confidence, strengthening

STEM-related topics.[13][23]

The program, which is run in collaboration with Aboriginal community leaders, secondary schools, and industry partners[24] comprises:[13]

  • A program induction workshop at participating schools
  • Access to a specially-created
    e-learning
    program
  • A 5-day camp program, run in collaboration with
    traditional owners
    and industry experts

Camps are run at both Hiltaba and Witchelina. In the third camp of the programme at Hiltaba in 2018, 16 students aged from 12 to 14 years old from

rock holes.[25] Another camp was held at Hiltaba in 2019.[24]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Hiltaba Nature Reserve Information Pack, Nature Foundation, 22 October 2020
  2. ^ Bockxmeer, John van (9 June 2017). "Breaking the cycle". Griffith Review. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Williamson, Brett (15 December 2011). "Nature Foundation of South Australia celebrates 30 years". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  4. ^ "Launch of the Mark Bonnin Walking Trail". Walking SA. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  5. ^ "Barbara Hardy Walking Trail, Hiltaba Nature Reserve". Walking SA. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Nature Foundation". SAcommunity. 6 April 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  7. The Advertiser
    . Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Latest News: CEO Hugo Hopton retires". Nature Foundation. April 2022. Archived from the original on 26 April 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ^ "Who we are". Nature Foundation. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Nature reserves". Nature Foundation. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Science & Research". Nature Foundation. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  12. ^ "Conservation Programs". Nature Foundation. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  13. ^ a b c "Kids on Country". Nature Foundation. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  14. ^ "Members Directory". Friends of Parks South Australia. 28 February 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  15. Conservation Council SA
    . 1 August 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  16. ^ a b Speirs, David (30 August 2021). "Native vegetation conservation gets a $3 million boost". Premier of South Australia. Retrieved 11 January 2022. Text may have been copied from this source, which is available under a Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY 3.0 AU) licence.
  17. ^ a b "Our Board". Nature Foundation. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  18. ^ "Our people". Nature Foundation. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  19. ^ a b Dayman, Isabel (18 March 2015). "Endangered species better protected as Watchalunga Nature Reserve established on SA Fleurieu Peninsula". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  20. ^ "Our staff". Nature Foundation. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  21. ^ "Our staff". Nature Foundation. April 2022. Archived from the original on 26 April 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  22. ^ "Our patrons". Nature Foundation. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  23. ^ "Helping at-risk Aboriginal youth". Sisters of Charity Foundation. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  24. ^ a b "Kids on Country". Landscape South Australia - SA Arid Lands. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  25. ^ Jonscher, Samantha (3 June 2018). "SA students take to the bush to connect with land and Indigenous culture". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 9 January 2022.

External links

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