Foundation Projects
What does the Foundation do?
The Foundation acquires high conservation value land to add to the National Reserve System. Individuals or businesses donate property to the Foundation, or the Foundation purchases private land. The Foundation does not keep and privately manage land itself. The Foundation gifts all land it acquires to the publically owned and publically managed national estate, which comes under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth, State and Territory and Local Governments. The Foundation is not a land holder. Land included in the National Reserve System (aka national estate) is protected in perpetuity for the benefit of Australia's natural and cultural heritage, and future generations.
The Foundation funds conservation projects for the benefit of Australia's native wildlife and plants.
The Foundation provides funds to preserve Australian cultural heritage sites.
- Click to find out more about the Foundation's land acquisitions for the national estate here.
- Click to find out more about the Foundation's cultural heritage conservation projects here.
- Click to find out more about the Foundation's wildlife conservation projects here.
How can I find out more about Foundation projects?
You can keep up to date on conservation projects and land acquistions by subscribing to the Foundation's quarterly newsletter PAWS.
Click here to subscribe to PAWS. It's free and fantastic!
What native Australian animals has the Foundation benefited with conservation projects?
Does the Foundation work in my state?
The Foundation began in 1970 as a New South Wales-based organisation. In 2000, the Foundation became a national organisation.
To date the Foundation has had great success in funding wildlife conservation projects in many states of Australia including Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales.
The Foundation is working to develop relationships with appropriate government bodies in other states to expand our land acquisition capabilities nationwide. As we have had strong relationships with the New South Wales National Parks & Wildlife Service, and State Environment Department (currently called the Office of Environment & Heritage) since 1970, the majority of our land acquisitions to date have been in New South Wales.
The Foundation has only one office in Sydney, New South Wales. It does not have offices in any other states or territories.
If you are interested in having the Foundation fund a project or purchase a high conservation value property in your state, click the links to find out more and then please contact us.
How did the Foundation begin?
The Foundation was incorporated on 29th June 1970. It was the established by the then Premier of New South Wales, the Honourable Thomas Lancelot Lewis AO. It was designed to be the fundraising arm of the New South Wales National Parks & Wildlife Service.
The Foundation became a national organisation on 2nd February 2000.
The Foundation today is an independent, a-political and non-controversial not-for-profit organisation.
Click here to find out more about the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife.
Is the Foundation affiliated with the National Parks & Wildlife Service?
The Foundation is an independent, a-political, not-for-profit organisation. We work in partnership with National Parks & Wildlife Services in states across Australia, but we are not a government body or managed by any government body.
Can the Foundation issue me a new National Parks Pass?
No. The Foundation does not manage national parks passes or licencing. Please contact the New South Wales National Parks & Wildlife Service Parks Pass staff on 02 9585 6406.
Does the Foundation have a Facebook page?
Yes. Visit it at www.facebook.com/fnpw.1970.
Support the Foundation
How do I donate once-off or regularly to the Foundation?
Click here to donate once-off or on a regular basis. You can also contact us to donate over the phone or send a cheque in the mail. Please do not send loose notes or currency in the mail.
A donation form is also available in the back of the Foundation's quarterly PAWS newsletter if you would like to donate by sending in your details that way.
Are there other ways I can help support the Foundation?
Click here to find out the many ways you can help support the Foundation and its important work.
Read our Foundation Wish List to see a number of ways you can help out.
Can I or my company fund a Foundation project?
Yes, individuals and companies can fund Foundation projects.
If you are interested in funding a project related to a particular species or area, we will do our utmost to facilitate your wishes. Please contact us and speak to Ms Susanna Bradshaw to begin the process.
What benefits will I receive if I fund a Foundation project?
Apart from the pride and amazing feeling that come from benefiting an environmental conservation project of your choice, there are a number of other benefits to funding a Foundation project.
The Foundation publicises project funders in national media releases - we send our media releases to over 600 papers across Australia and each media release we send out about the Backyard Buddies program typically receives a circulation of 900,000 readers nationwide.
The Foundation also publicises project funders alongside projects in its communications, such as our quarterly PAWS newsletter, our annual report, on our website and facebook pages, and in any other relevant communications and marketing collateral.
You can negotiate with the Foundation to display our logo on packaging or product material, on your website and in your communications and so on, so that you can let your customers know that you support on-ground biodiversity conservation in Australia.
Contact us and speak to Ms Susanna Bradshaw to find out more and negotiate other benefits for sponsoring a project.
Can I leave a gift to the Foundation in my will?
Yes. Gifts and bequests to the Foundation that are left in wills are greatly appreciated. Leaving a bequest is one of the most amazing things you can do for biodiversity conservation in Australia.
Click here to find out more about leaving property, money or items to the Foundation in your will.
Can I volunteer or do an internship to support the Foundation?
The Foundation has a small number of staff in our office and so sadly cannot offer internships.
You can find out about volunteering opportunites with the Foundation at the 'goodcompany' website.
Foundation Land Acquisitions
How much land has the Foundation acquired for the National Reserve System?
The Foundation has acquired over 500,000 hectares for Australia's National Reserve System in its 40+ year history.
What lands has the Foundation acquired for the National Reserve System?
Click here to find out where the Foundation has acquired property for conservation.
Will the Foundation acquire my property for conservation?
The Foundation only purchases or accepts donations of high conservation value land that can be protected in perpetuity and managed by an appropriate conservation manager. After you contact us to let us know about your property, the Foundation negotiates on your behalf with the relevant government organisation in your state and finds out whether they are interested in acquiring your land for conservation. If they are, we work with you and government bodies to have your property transfered to us and then to the relevant government body so that it can be protected in perpetuity under the National Reserve System.
Why does the Foundation acquire land for the National Reserve System instead of managing it privately?
The Foundation believes that adding land to the publically managed and perpetually protected National Reserve System is the best chance we have of conserving biodiversity in Australia over the long term.
Does the Foundation fund projects or acquire land in countries other than Australia?
No, the Foundation only works within Australia.
Foundation Grants
Does the Foundation offer grants?
Yes. The Foundation offers three types of grants. Click any of the grant categories to find out more.
The Marine Science Grant is offered each year in conjunction with the Paddy Pallin Science Grant (up to $7,000 to support field-based, high quality ecological research) and the Humane Society International Marine Science Grant (up to $7,000 to support marine research of Australian marine ecosystems that will ultimately lead to tangible outcomes for management.) This grant application process is administered by the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales.
- Annual Private Land Conservation Grants for owners of Conservation Covenanted properties
- Conservation Project Grants for environmental conservation and environmental education projects with direct outcomes for biodiversity conservation in Australia, which are approved quarterly
How much funding do the grants provide?
The Foundation's Marine Science Grant provides $7,000 to one individual per year.
The Private Land Conservation Grants provide up to $3,000 per year for up to three years to a number of applicants each year.
- In 2009, 21 applicants received Private Land Conservation Grants. Click to see 2009 recipients and brief project descriptions.
- In 2010, 25 applicants received Private Land Conservation Grants. Click to see the list of 2010 recipients and brief project descriptions.
- In 2011, 29 applicants received Private Land Conservation Grants. Click to see the list of 2011 recipients and brief project descriptions.
Funding for Conservation Project Grants varies greatly, however most projects receive within AUD $5,000 to $20,000.
Am I eligable to apply for a grant?
Each grant has different eligability criteria.
Marine Grants - click to find out eligability criterion here.
Private Land Conservation Grants - click to find out eligability criterion here.
Conservation Project Grants - click to find out eligability criterion here.
What is expected of me if I receive a grant?
Grant recipients must only use Foundation funds for the project they have detailed in their project application, or gain approval from the Foundation if their project is modified in any way. Any unused funds are to be returned to the Foundation.
Grant recipients must complete progress reports at 6 and 12 month intervals, and at the completion of their project unless otherwise agreed by the Projects Committee.
The Foundation may contact grant recipients from time to time to ask for updates and photos on the project with which to publicise it in national media, the Foundation's publications, communications, website and Facebook sites. The more grant recipients can tell us and show us about how their project is progressing, the happier we are!
All other expectations of grant recipients are detailed during the application process.
How do I apply for a grant?
You can apply for a grant by downloading the appropriate form from our website, filling it in and submitting it to the Foundation along with all appropriate supporting documents.
What are the closing dates for grant applications?
Marine Science Grant applications closed August 5, 2011 at 5 pm.
Private Land Conservation Grant applications closed June 30, 2011.
You can apply for a Conservation Project Grant at any time - these applications have no closing date.
Conservation Project Grant applications are reviewed at quarterly Projects Committee meetings, so if your application misses the deadline for one meeting, it will be reviewed at the next meeting. If you have been told the date of an upcoming Projects Committee meeting and are aiming on having your project reviewed at it, please submit your application at least two weeks before the date of the meeting so that we have time on our end to undertake the appropriate administration work to have your project available for review at the upcoming Projects Committee meeting.
When will I know if I have received a grant or been unsuccessful?
The Marine Science Grant applicants will be notified by 15th September 2011.
Private Land Conservation Grant applicants will be notifed as to the success of their applications on 31 July 2011.
Conservation Project Grant applicants will be notified after their project has been reviewed at a Projects Committee meeting.
Will the Foundation fund my project?
The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife offers funding for environmental conservation and environmental education projects. The purpose of our grants is to assist the public caretakers of Australia's National Reserve System in the protection of our native species, habitats, landscapes and cultural heritage.
The Foundation funds both field projects and education programs that have a direct outcome for conservation in Australia.
The Foundation considers applications from any organisation which is pursuing conservation objectives carried out by or in close cooperation with a State or Commonwealth Government Agency. Project proposals must be approved by such agency and contribute to the overall conservation objectives and strategies of the agency.
Projects proposals must demonstrate the project's significance and direct benefit to the natural and cultural heritage of Australia.
You must fill in a project proposal form to apply for project funding.
Click to find out more about project funding and download application forms here.
Backyard Buddies
What is Backyard Buddies?
Backyard Buddies is an environmental education and marketing program. The environmental education component is run by the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife. The marketing component of Backyard Buddies is run by a partner, Premium Fulfilment Services.
Backyard Buddies helps you get more enjoyment from our native plants and animals.
The Backyard Buddies motto is: "Backyard buddies are the native animals that share our built-up areas, waterways, backyards and parks. Backyard buddies are also the people who value native animals and plants and want to protect them. So you can be a backyard buddy."
What is B-mail?
B-mail is a free, monthly email sent out by Backyard Buddies. It lets you know about native animals likely to be around in your backyard during the month. It also provides tips on how to make your garden and local area safe and inviting for Australian animals.
Click here to subscribe to B-mail - it's free and it's fun!
Does Backyard Buddies sell toys?
Backyard Buddies sells soft toys of native Australian animals. A fixed amount from each toy goes to the Foundation to run environmental conservation projects in a number of states including Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales. The proceeds from Backyard Buddy toys fund projects related to koalas, Little Penguins, wallabies, wombats, and australian native birds.
How do I pay for my Backyard Buddy toy?
Please contact the Backyard Buddies Adoption Centre on (free call) 1800 283 343 to pay for your Backyard Buddy toy. Or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for any other Backyard Buddy related enquries.
It is not possible to pay for your Backyard Buddy toy on the Foundation's website or on www.backyardbuddies.net.au, or by making a donation to the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife.
Does the Foundation manage the Backyard Buddies call centre also known as the Backyard Buddies Adoption Centre?
No. Please contact the Backyard Buddies Adoption Centre directly on (free call) 1800 283 343 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you need to have anything related to Backyard Buddies addressed.
Does Backyard Buddies have a Facebook page?
Yes. It is extremely fun. Visit it at www.facebook.com/backyardbuddies.
