Biodiversity Legacy offers a pioneering approach to protecting land for future generations and engaging regional communities in its ongoing environmental stewardship.
To empower more people to leave a living environmental legacy, Biodiversity Legacy (BDL) has pioneered a safe ownership structure to enable landholders to gift or transfer ownership of their land to BDL or a trusted local non-profit while they’re still alive so they can share their environmental vision, develop a protection plan and be assured that their wishes will be carried out.
One of the most beautiful aspects of this approach is that families don’t have to leave the land; we offer flexible arrangements where you and your descendants can keep living on the property. If this isn’t possible or desired, alternative pathways include local land stewardship or management by community groups. Whether it’s 3 acres or 3,000, we’ll work with you to ensure the best outcome, for you and the environment
We also work with government agencies, regional authorities and environmental groups eager to secure important properties as well as philanthropists who simply want to give to nature. Read more here or contact us for an obligation-free chat.
ABOUT US
Established in 2022, Biodiversity Legacy (BDL) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting a groundswell of individuals, communities and organisations who want to protect biodiversity and ensure the equitable transfer of land to future generations.
Working across all states and all land tenures, BDL supports individuals and groups with information, legal assistance and governance to: (1) protect land in-perpetuity and ensure it is not resold on the private market and, (2) establish community-governed landholding entities that operate independently at local scales with stewardship arrangements that foster partnerships and collaboration.
WHO WE WORK WITH
Biodiversity Legacy collaborates with landholders, families, community groups, investors, government agencies and others to secure properties and enable long-term, community-led stewardship. We also work with established organisations across the private land conservation sector to fill gaps and expand the amount of land protected.
To support regional visions for biodiversity and support those already doing great work on the ground, we also employ biolink coordinators to connect activities.
A SHARED COMMITMENT
According to a 2024 Biodiversity Council report, 95% of Australians believe governments have a duty of care in protecting nature for future generations. But with over 60% of all land privately owned or managed, there’s only so much they can do. With 90% of threatened species found on private land, long-term biodiversity protection relies on the involvement, knowledge and leadership of private landowners.
Ned’s Forest founder, Julie Mills, is one of thousands of landholders who understand this. She says, “If, as Australians, we wish to maintain connectivity of habitat so species can move across the landscape, we must protect small but important tracts of bushland. We don’t need to own the land; it becomes a pathway where the community band together to campaign and raise funds to protect the places they love. We are calling on people who are in the position to make financial contributions to the protection of biodiversity for future generations.”
Photos – top: Meadow Argus butterflies by Jean and Fred Hort. Photo behind also with thanks to Jean & Fred Hort.
OUR SUPPORTERS
The work we do would not be possible without the generous support of the Rendere Environmental Trust and legal firm Maddocks.
The Maddocks team has been fundamental in assisting us in developing our approach.
They share their expertise in a way that is practical, supportive and empowering for us and the community groups with which we work.