How to leave a living legacy
BioDiversity Legacy can guide you on the path to land conservation, working with you to secure properties of all shapes and sizes and co-create a vision for how those properties can be used, protected and enjoyed now and into the future.
Below is a brief overview of our audiences and process. However, given that our plans are tailored to each property and circumstance, it may be best to talk to us.
Existing landholders
Many landholders have invested time and money into restoring their properties, often over a lifetime. When the time comes to sell or move on, these landholders need a pathway to ensure their life’s work is not undone.
Securing the protection of these properties with long-term stewardship plans can be facilitated by donating into a BioDiversity Legacy Land Trust or through flexible acquisition arrangements.
INDVIDUALS, INVESTORS & PHILANTROPISTS
Many individuals are seeking to make a greater contribution to environmental protection. This can be facilitated through direct financial donations (enabling us to identify, secure and protect important properties) or through the Legacy’s ‘Wills’, ‘Bequests’ or ‘Living Legacy’ methods.
LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Regional communities have intimate knowledge of, and are deeply connected to, landscapes surrounding them, holding cultural, economic and ecological significance.
When important properties are listed for sale, BioDiversity Legacy can support communities to acquire land by providing transitional funding in some cases or legal, strategic and collaborative funding advice.
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES & REGIONAL AUTHORITIES
As a not-for-profit organisation, BioDiversity Legacy has the legal and ethical frameworks in place to enable the transition of public land to community stewardship. This can be complementary and highly advantageous in terms of resources and in cases where surrounding properties are covenanted or where owners are considering how to use their properties to build stronger biolinks.
CONSERVATION GROUPS
Over many decades, individuals and groups across the country have been taking actions to restore and protect private properties. Some have used Trusts and other legal structures to secure those properties, but not all agreements guarantee long-term protection.
Other projects have a limited lifespan and succession plans are required to ensure the safeguarding off those properties. In most cases, BioDiversity Legacy can assist with this planning and with the transition of existing arrangements to the Legacy.
OWNERSHIP arrangement
While there are many pathways to land conservation, it is important to note that BioDiversity Legacy does not seek to own the land. Rather, we provide legal, financial, structural and management advice to enable the safe transfer of properties into a not-for-profit charitable entity known as a Community Land Trust (CLT). This is a deliberate decision to enable groups and/or communities to operate independently and create their own pathways to intergenerational protection.
In some cases, BioDiversity Legacy acts as the transitional owner and may be a member of an existing or emerging Trust.
COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS
Once properties are secured through the appropriate pathway, BioDiversity Legacy guides the establishment of the Community Land Trust (CLT), which is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
CLTs function from the ground up, with stewardship arrangements created to foster partnerships at the community level.
As with any other registered not-for-profit, CLTs operate within Australian law and regulatory frameworks, with their own constitution and committees. BioDiversity Legacy is there to support and encourage connectivity between the CLTs to improve knowledge-sharing and enable more people to get involved.
BioDiversity Legacy can also provide oversight and coordination of the management/stewardship plans if required.
Ongoing stewardship
Co-created stewardship plans are a key feature of our model, ensuring Legacy properties are maintained and protected in perpetuity.
Tailored to each landscape and reviewed by Scientific Advisory groups, the plans incorporate place-based knowledge and best-practice ecological advice, tools and services.
Implemented by on-ground property managers, the plans evolve as changes to the landscape are considered.
Feedback from collaborators is also incorporated, with BioDiversity Legacy offering guidance and continual support along the way.
Credits: Blue-winged Parrot image (top) with thanks to Dean Sewell.
Biodiversity Legacy Ltd., respectfully acknowledges First Nations People as the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters across the continent, with sovereign rights and cultural obligations to Country. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and community and pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all First Nations People.
BioDiversity Legacy is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
ABN: 20 660 808 855
