ways and for many different reasons.
or colleagues or get involved through
networks. By increasing the number of
people involved we are building our capacity
to achieve more for the conservation of
our natural environment.
achievements reached millions of Australians
as a result of our staff's active promotion of
our conservation successes to local, state and
national media. Stories that reached national
audiences included our feral cat eradication
trial at Charles Darwin Reserve, WA, our
partnership with Wunambal Gaambera
traditional owners in the Kimberley, WA,
and our project to protect the freshwater
spring habitat of the critically endangered
fish, the red-finned blue-eye.
403 active volunteers contributing over 2200
days were donated on Bush Heritage reserves,
with Scottsdale, Eurardy, Boolcoomatta,
reserves contribute in many ways including
to infrastructure repairs, propagation and
planting of trees, weeding, ecological surveys,
mapping and even road works.
Centre in Melbourne contributed 165
including data entry, database development,
supporter relations and mapping. Many of
our volunteers live in New South Wales and
of age.
who support us
of new supporters joined us in 201213,
people who now donate to us.
to play a key role in keeping our donors
informed. Our quarterly newsletter reported
on the achievements made possible by our
supporters' generosity. Our digital channels
have been important for fundraising and
relationship-building, promoted stories of
our conservation achievements from the field
and generated web-based donations. Bush
Heritage now has 5000 Facebook fans, a
milestone which was achieved in March 2013.
to engage with us via a survey. The response
was pleasing and provided us with valuable
information about what motivates our
supporters. Many respondents also sent a
donation with their response. Most of our
supporters also contribute to other charities,
and over 80 per cent would recommend us
to others interested in giving to a good cause.
The most common reasons for supporting
Bush Heritage were the declining condition
of the Australian bush and our specific
method of acquiring and protecting land
of high conservation value.
Cravens Peak Reserve, Qld.
Photograph by Saraan Finney