Nature Conservation Margaret River Region is set to play a significantly enhanced environmental leadership role with the help of two major philanthropic organisations.
The organisations supporting Nature Conservation with substantial funding are the Wright Burt Foundation and Line in the Sand who both have a strong commitment to supporting environment protection and rehabilitation.
Chair of Nature Conservation Dr John Cresswell said, "We are thrilled to receive the support of two organisations who share our hopes and plans to establish the Margaret River Region as a national leader in community-wide care for the environment.
"Nature Conservation is very honoured to be the recipient of this significant philanthropic funding and we look forward to working closely with the Wright Burt Foundation and Line in the Sand," Dr Cresswell continued.
The Wright Burt Foundation's contribution will provide an opportunity for the organisation to appoint a full-time CEO and expand its influence in the medium to long term leading to better environmental outcomes for the region.
"The opportunity to employ a full-time CEO will allow us to expand our conservation and engagement programs addressing the key environmental challenges of the region," said Dr Cresswell.
"The Caring for Coast Program presents the possibility to support best practice coastal restoration in partnership with coastcare groups, and we hope the community will engage with this exciting new program."
Line in the Sand (LITS - the working name of a newly formed not-for-profit association called Reverse Natural Capital Inc.) is partnering with Nature Conservation on a range of coastal programs.
LITS provides a platform that philanthropists and the community can get behind to ensure fast moving, direct action in the execution of critical coastline projects starting in the Margaret River region (Augusta to Busselton).
The partnership is the first undertaking for LITS and will deliver a coastal program of activities that include:
- better defence against coastal erosion (critical now), by building resilience in the ecosystems
- better management of coastal access and recreation nodes (signage, track rationalisation and rehabilitation)
- engagement of schools and volunteers caring for coastal sites
- connecting the community with Wadandi cultural values and engagement of aboriginal youth
- development of a community driven coastal code to safeguard our coast into the future.
- establishment of the Margaret River region as a benchmark for coastal initiatives and sustainability
Wright Burt Foundation's Alexandra Burt said the Wright-Burt family had enjoyed a long association with Nature Conservation through Voyager Estate, and more recently with The Landsmith Collection and Wallcliffe House.
"We are delighted to be able to continue that partnership and enable John and his team to continue to do this critical local work," Ms Burt said.
LITS cofounder Howard Cearns said locals had long battled for funds to support environmental care.
"The issues facing the coastline in particular are escalating rapidly, so by unlocking support from more private channels and the community at large we hope to develop a better way to get on with the task," he said.