{{Short description|Australian nature conservation organisation}} {{redirect|National Parks Foundation| the U.S. organisation|National Park Foundation}} {{Use Australian English|date=January 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Infobox organization | name = Nature Foundation | formation = {{start date and age|1981}} | logo = Nature Foundation Logo 2025.svg | former_name = The National Parks Foundation | type = NGO | status = charity | purpose = nature conservation | headquarters = Prospect, South Australia | membership = 503 | num_members_year = 2024 | leader_title = Board Chair | leader_name = Jan Ferguson {{post-nominals|country=AUS|OAM}} | leader_title2 = CEO | leader_name2 = Alex Nankivell | revenue = $6.3 million | revenue_year = FY2023/24 | expenses = $5.9 million | expenses_year = FY2023/24 | website = https://www.naturefoundation.org.au/ }} '''Nature Foundation''', formerly '''The National Parks Foundation''' and '''Nature Foundation SA Inc.''' ('''NFSA'''), is the largest non-government nature conservation organisation based in South Australia. It was founded in October 1981, and is supported by the Government of South Australia as well as the Australian Government. The organisation owns and manages several nature reserves, with the largest being Witchelina and Hiltaba, which are converted stations.
== History == The Nature Foundation was founded as The National Parks Foundation<ref name=infopack/> on 14 October 1981 by a group comprising Warren Bonython, Barbara Hardy, Mark Bonnin (a medical doctor and lecturer at the University of Adelaide<ref>{{cite web | last=Bockxmeer | first=John van | title=Breaking the cycle | website=Griffith Review | date=9 June 2017 | url=https://www.griffithreview.com/articles/breaking-the-cycle-notes-from-rural-doctor/ | access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref>) and David Cleland.<ref name=30yrs/><ref name=bonninwalk>{{cite web | title=Launch of the Mark Bonnin Walking Trail | website=Walking SA | date=7 October 2017 | url=https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/walk-event/launch-mark-bonnin-walking-trail/ | access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref><ref name=barbwalk>{{cite web | title=Barbara Hardy Walking Trail, Hiltaba Nature Reserve | website=Walking SA | url=https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/barbara-hardy-walking-trail-hiltaba-nature-reserve/ | access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref> It grew and extended its functions, becoming Nature Foundation about 10 years later.<ref name=infopack>{{citation| title= Hiltaba Nature Reserve Information Pack| publisher= Nature Foundation| date=22 October 2020}}</ref> It was formerly known as Nature Foundation SA Inc.<ref>{{cite web | title=Nature Foundation |date=6 April 2021 | website=SAcommunity | url=https://sacommunity.org/org/202273-Nature_Foundation | access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref> (also referred to as NFSA<ref name=30yrs/>).
It was formerly headquartered in Hindmarsh.<ref name=30yrs/>
By the time of its 30th anniversary in 2011, it had helped to enable the acquisition of over 25 properties covering over {{cvt|7000|km2}} 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.<ref name=30yrs/>
In 2011 and 2012 the foundation held two fund-raising bush walks. In 2012, there was a choice of three walks: easy ({{cvt|3|km}}), intermediate ({{cvt|6|km}} and hard ({{cvt|12|km}}, all along part of the Heysen Trail. It was anticipated that around {{AUD|30,000}} would be raised by around 500 participants.<ref>{{cite web | title=Going an extra mile for nature | website=The Advertiser| first=Clare| last= Peddie| date=17 October 2012 | url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/hundreds-set-to-join-bushwalks-to-raise-funds-for-nature-foundation/news-story/4f6d67b0edb3e37e318359c71ec8187e | access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref>
CEO Hugo Hopton retired on 22 April 2022, after six years of service.<ref name=hhretires>{{cite web | title=Latest News: CEO Hugo Hopton retires | website=Nature Foundation | date= April 2022 | url=https://www.naturefoundation.org.au/news-events/latest-news | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426054851/https://www.naturefoundation.org.au/news-events/latest-news | archive-date=26 April 2022 | url-status=unfit | access-date=26 April 2022}}</ref>
== Description == Nature Foundation is the largest non-government conservation organisation based in South Australia, and undertakes programs in conserving land, wetland and species.<ref name=infopack/> Its stated mission is "engaging people, resources and good science to conserve the precious habitat of South Australia".<ref>{{cite web | title=Who we are | website=Nature Foundation | url=https://www.naturefoundation.org.au//who-we-are | access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref>
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.<ref name=30yrs/>
Its work includes managing nature reserves;<ref name=reserves/> undertaking a wide-ranging science strategy, including arranging funding for ecological research;<ref>{{cite web | title=Science & Research | website=Nature Foundation | url=https://www.naturefoundation.org.au/what-we-do/science-research| access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref> conservation programs, such as Water for Nature and the Bushbank Revolving Fund;<ref>{{cite web | title=Conservation Programs | website=Nature Foundation | url=https://www.naturefoundation.org.au/what-we-do/conservation-programs| access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref> the Kids on Country program;<ref name=kids>{{cite web | title=Kids on Country | website=Nature Foundation | url=https://www.naturefoundation.org.au/what-we-do/kids-on-country| access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref> and various other initiatives. It is a member of Friends of Parks South Australia.<ref>{{cite web | title=Members Directory | website=Friends of Parks South Australia | date=28 February 2020 | url=https://friendsofparkssa.org.au/members/members-directory/ | access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref>
It also delivers the Revitalising Private Conservation in South Australia program, which coordinates and delivers funding for conservation programs by the Government of South Australia.<ref>{{cite web | title=Revitalising Private Conservation SA | website=Conservation Council SA | date=1 August 2018 | url=https://www.conservationsa.org.au/revitalising_private_conservation | access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref> In August 2021, the Marshall government announced $1 million in grant funding for native vegetation conservation projects under this grant program, to be delivered by Nature Foundation in partnership with Conservation SA, Livestock SA, Nature Conservation Society of South Australia and Trees for Life.<ref name=funding2021>{{cite web | title=Native vegetation conservation gets a $3 million boost |first=David |last=Speirs| website=Premier of South Australia | date=30 August 2021 | url=https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/news/media-releases/news/native-vegetation-conservation-gets-a-$3-million-boost | access-date=11 January 2022}} 50px Text may have been copied from this source, which is available under a [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/ Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY 3.0 AU)] licence.</ref>
==Governance and funding== Nature Foundation is a limited company under the ''Corporations Act 2001'', managed by an unpaid Board of Directors.<ref name=board>{{cite web | title=Our Board | website=Nature Foundation | url=https://www.naturefoundation.org.au/who-we-are/our-people/our-board| access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref> It is governed by a board of conservationists, scientists, business and professional people, and is managed by a small team based in Prospect, a suburb north of Adelaide, along with rotational managers at its nature reserves. It also relies on support by members, donors and volunteers who work at fund-raising, office administration and working bees.<ref name=infopack/>
In addition, there are a number of committees, and rotational managers who spend time managing the various properties.<ref>{{cite web | title=Our people | website=Nature Foundation | url=https://www.naturefoundation.org.au/who-we-are/our-people | access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref>
Since before 2011<ref name=30yrs>{{cite web | last=Williamson | first=Brett | title=Nature Foundation of South Australia celebrates 30 years | website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date=15 December 2011 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/12/15/3392103.htm | access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref> and as of 2015, Bob Lott was president of the foundation.<ref name=dayman/>
The CEO was Hugo Hopton<ref name=funding2021/><ref>{{cite web | title=Our staff | website=Nature Foundation | url=https://www.naturefoundation.org.au/who-we-are/our-people/our-staff | access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref> for six years until his retirement on 22 April 2022.<ref name=hhretires/> 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.<ref>{{cite web | title=Our staff | website=Nature Foundation | date= April 2022 | url=https://www.naturefoundation.org.au/who-we-are/our-people/our-staff | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426055507/https://www.naturefoundation.org.au/who-we-are/our-people/our-staff | archive-date=26 April 2022 | url-status=unfit | access-date=26 April 2022}}</ref>
{{as of|April 2022}} Jan Ferguson is chair of the board.<ref name=board/> There are three patrons: founder Barbara Hardy, entrepreneur Dick Smith, and geophysicist Reg Nelson.<ref>{{cite web | title=Our patrons | website=Nature Foundation | url=https://www.naturefoundation.org.au/who-we-are/our-people/our-patrons | access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref>
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.<ref name=30yrs/>
==Nature reserves== {{as of| 2022}} 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:<ref name=reserves>{{cite web | title=Nature reserves | website=Nature Foundation | url=https://www.naturefoundation.org.au/what-we-do/nature-reserves | access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref> *Witchelina Nature Reserve, near Leigh Creek in the north of the state *Hiltaba Nature Reserve, Gawler Ranges * Watchalunga Nature Reserve, Fleurieu Peninsula * Para Woodlands Nature Reserve, near Gawler * Tiliqua Nature Reserve, near Burra * Murbpook Nature Reserve, a wetland reserve on the Murray River * Geegeela Nature Reserve, abutting Geegeela Conservation Park in Bangham, South Australia in the south-east of the state * Cygnet Park Sanctuary, Kangaroo Island
Watchalunga was established in March 2015, and comprises around 20 per cent of the swamplands on the Finniss River, near Finniss. The wetland provides habitat for the Mount Lofty Ranges Southern Emu-wren, an endangered species, and the southern bell frog, which is a threatened species. Nature Foundation works in collaboration with the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority, the Goolwa to Wellington local action planning group, and Conservation SA in managing the land and undertaking research at Watchlunga.<ref name=dayman>{{cite web | last=Dayman | first=Isabel | title=Endangered species better protected as Watchalunga Nature Reserve established on SA Fleurieu Peninsula | website=ABC News| publisher= Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date=18 March 2015 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-18/nature-reserve/6329976 | access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref>
==Kids on Country==
The "Kids on Country" program, for Aboriginal adolescents, is aimed at improving well-being, teaching life skills, building self-confidence, strengthening cultural identity and connection to country, and inspiring an interest in conservation and land management in this group, thus improving school retention rate. Programs are tailored to the secondary school curriculum, and include a high degree of STEM-related topics.<ref name=kids/><ref>{{cite web | title=Helping at-risk Aboriginal youth | website=Sisters of Charity Foundation | date=6 July 2021 | url=https://sistersofcharityfoundation.com.au/blog/helping-at-risk-aboriginal-youth/ | access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref>
The program, which is run in collaboration with Aboriginal community leaders, secondary schools, and industry partners<ref name=aridlands>{{cite web | title=Kids on Country | website=Landscape South Australia - SA Arid Lands | date=10 July 2019 | url=https://www.landscape.sa.gov.au/saal/news/190715-e-ato-kids-on-country | access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref> comprises:<ref name=kids/> * 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 Ceduna spent a week on the property, where they helped to improve the property as a nature reserve, while at the same time learning about Aboriginal peoples' unique connection to country, along with STEM learning. The aim was to help the children to connect the Aboriginal, palaeontological, and geological stories of the area. The students helped to prepare bush tucker such as kangaroo tail and wombat meat, and to clean the rock holes.<ref name=kidsabc>{{cite web | last=Jonscher | first=Samantha | title=SA students take to the bush to connect with land and Indigenous culture | website=ABC News |publisher= Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date=3 June 2018 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-04/outback-classroom-program-teaches-kids-about-culture/9821236 | access-date=9 January 2022}}</ref> Another camp was held at Hiltaba in 2019.<ref name=aridlands/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{official website|https://www.naturefoundation.org.au}}
Category:Environmental organisations based in Australia Category:Environment of South Australia Category:1981 establishments in Australia Category:Organisations based in Adelaide