Conservation Volunteers Australia

Looking after Country with Palawa kipli in Hobart 🌿 A few weeks ago, 7 volunteers planted 85 bush tucker plants at this beautiful new garden — learning from Kitana about the native food plants that have nourished Palawa people for thousands of years. The rain cleared as we planted, and the beds are now filled with species that will be harvested locally to support this amazing Aboriginal-owned business. Thank you to everyone who came, and a huge thank you to Kitana for inviting us to be part of bringing this vision to life. We'll be back for weeding and maintenance soon! This is conservation led by Traditional Owners — and we're honoured to support it. #CaringForCountry #BushTucker #PalawaKipli #FirstNations #Hobart #ConservationVolunteering

Canada just committed $300 million to one of the world's most ambitious conservation projects — and Indigenous communities are leading it. Twenty-one Indigenous governments and organisations will now steward 380,000 square kilometres of boreal and tundra ecosystems in the Northwest Territories. That's nearly 30% of the region — an area seven times the size of Nova Scotia or the entire country of Japan. This isn't a government program with Indigenous consultation added as an afterthought. Indigenous peoples control the governance, the priorities, and the implementation. They decide how investments flow. They design the Guardian programs that monitor ecological health and protect cultural sites. They determine how conservation aligns with traditional knowledge that's sustained these landscapes for thousands of years. As Grand Chief Herb Norwegian of the Dehcho First Nations put it: "We belong to the land, and the land belongs to us." Here's what makes this significant beyond Canada's borders: Indigenous-led conservation works. Globally, Indigenous peoples manage some of the world's healthiest ecosystems — not despite their stewardship, but because of it. Traditional knowledge and cultural practices have maintained biodiversity where conventional conservation models have struggled. This initiative proves what's possible when governments recognise Indigenous rights and expertise in environmental stewardship, rather than treating Indigenous communities as stakeholders to consult. What does this mean for conservation in Australia? Australia has its own extraordinary Indigenous-led conservation success stories. Across this continent, Traditional Owners are managing Country using knowledge systems refined over 65,000+ years. Indigenous Protected Areas now cover over 81 million hectares — making up more than half of Australia's National Reserve System. At Conservation Volunteers Australia, we've seen firsthand how conservation outcomes strengthen when First Nations leadership, knowledge, and practice guide the work. We've partnered with multiple First Nations organisations throughout the 2025 planting season. Our projects take place on Kaurna Country, Gnaala Karla Booja, and the lands of the Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul People — and we work to ensure that Country is respected and restored according to Traditional Owners' priorities. But there's so much more to do. The future of conservation is Indigenous-led. Canada's $300 million commitment demonstrates what ambitious conservation looks like at scale — creating meaningful jobs for Indigenous Guardians, investing in climate action guided by traditional knowledge, and supporting economic development that aligns with cultural values. Most importantly, it recognises that the most effective conservation happens when those who've cared for Country for millennia have the resources and authority to keep doing so. What does Indigenous-led conservation look like in your region?

The Partnership That Planted 20,000 Trees 🌳 Since 2022, CVA corporate and community volunteers have planted over 20,000 native seedlings across Australian cities. Here's what we learned about making impact that scales. This year's Urban Shade Forest planting season just wrapped, and the numbers tell a story: 14,166 new seedlings across Western Australia, South Australia, and South-East Queensland. 731 volunteers. 18 events. Three states working simultaneously for the first time since the program launched. But here's what the numbers don't show. The impact compounds beyond the planting day. At River Drive Reserve in Adelaide, 7,000 seedlings now line the River Torrens — creating habitat, managing urban heat, and filtering stormwater. In Baldivis, Western Australia, 3,166 natives are restoring degraded bushland where Carnaby's Cockatoos and kangaroos are already returning. In Ipswich, 4,000 seedlings at Jack Barkley Park and Small Creek are transforming urban corridors into wildlife refuges. These aren't temporary projects. They're climate adaptation infrastructure that will outlast all of us. The community grows with the forests. Volunteers don't just plant — they learn to identify native species, understand ecosystem relationships, and see their cities differently. Schools and Scout groups take home free seedlings to expand the urban forests into backyards and campuses. People walking by stop to comment on how great the project is for the area. And when a flock of yellow-tailed black cockatoos flies overhead on the final planting day? That's when you know the habitat is coming back. Here's what scaling impact actually looks like: Over 20,000 seedlings planted since 2022. Hundreds more given away to expand the reach. Maintenance teams now watering, weeding, and mulching through summer so these young forests survive their first year. Local councils taking ownership as the forests establish. And we're continuing it — across even more cities. Urban Shade Forests started with a question: what if corporate volunteering created real, long-lasting infrastructure, not just a happy culture? Three years in, we have the answer. It works. What legacy is your team building? #CorporateVolunteering #UrbanForestry #BiodiversityAustralia #SustainableBusiness #ClimateAdaptation #NatureBasedSolutions

"How important the native grasslands are." That's what Clare McKellar, Environmental Advisor at BMD Group, took away from a day at Woodlands Historic Park helping protect Victoria's Eastern Barred Bandicoots. Hearing that Clare discovered just how special and threatened native grasslands are — and got to see conservation success firsthand — is exactly why we do this work. Here's what makes this different from typical corporate volunteering: Your team doesn't just show up and plant trees. They work alongside conservation experts who've spent years safeguarding one of Australia's most endangered mammals. They learn why native grasslands matter for biodiversity. They see the direct impact of habitat restoration on species recovery. And they leave understanding ecosystems in ways that change how they see the landscapes around them. The Eastern Barred Bandicoot was once extinct in the wild. Today, over 400 thrive at Woodlands Historic Park — but they need ongoing support for habitat maintenance, predator control, and long-term survival. We're offering corporate partners an exclusive opportunity to be part of this conservation success story while giving your team an unforgettable experience. What's included: 🦡 Private 2-hour guided tour for your team at the bandicoot sanctuary 🌿 Behind-the-scenes access with our Project Coordinator, Travis, who specialises in bandicoot conservation 🦘 Exploration of Aboriginal cultural heritage and native woodland ecosystems ☕ Refreshments, Certificate of Appreciation, and social media recognition for your organisation's conservation impact Located just minutes from Melbourne Airport, this is a corporate engagement that creates lasting change — for your team and for threatened species. Want to give your team an experience that goes deeper than standard team building? 📧 Contact comms@cva.org.au to learn more. #CorporateVolunteering #Conservation #EndangeredSpecies #EasternBarredBandicoot #TeamBuilding #BiodiversityAustralia #ConservationLeadership

Did you know Glossy Black Cockatoos don't actually eat the she-oak cone? 🌰 They eat the tiny seeds *inside* – and each one is seriously small! Their specially shaped bills are perfectly designed to prise open these cone pods and extract each seed, one by one. The process is so labour-intensive that Glossies can spend up to 80% of their day foraging. Imagine spending most of your day working for food that's this tiny – and needing millions of them! 🤯 These incredible birds work hard for every meal, which is why protecting she-oak trees in their habitat is so crucial. Let's give them a hand by conserving the landscapes they depend on. 🖤 #GlossyBlackCockatoo #SheOak #AustralianWildlife #BirdConservation #NorthernRiversNSW #WildlifeEducation #NativeBirds #Conservation

A few weeks ago, we announced the winners of our Nature In Focus Competition.  But so many stunning submissions deserve recognition — especially during Australian Pollinator Week. These photos captured something invaluable: the quiet magic of pollinators at work.  From native bees mid-flight to butterflies dancing between blooms, these images remind us exactly what we're fighting to protect. Thank you to everyone who shared their lens with us. Your work inspires action, sparks curiosity, and shows us exactly what we're fighting to protect. Missed the winners' announcement? Check them out at https://lnkd.in/gfiqkYX #NatureInFocus #AustralianPollinatorWeek #NaturePhotography #Pollinators #ConservationPhotography #NativeBees #Butterflies #WildlifePhotography #ProtectPollinators

Small actions, big impact. Here's how you can help pollinators thrive.  From what you plant to what you purchase, every choice matters. 🐝💚 And the best part? Many of these actions benefit you too — cleaner air, more beautiful spaces, and the satisfaction of knowing you're part of the solution. Ready to make a difference? Swipe through for practical ways to become a pollinator champion. 👉 #AustralianPollinatorWeek #Conservation #PollinatorFriendly #SustainableLiving #TakeAction

Want to support Australian pollinators? Start with your garden. 🌸 Planting native species is one of the most effective ways to provide food and habitat for our struggling pollinator populations. Native plants have co-evolved with local pollinators over millions of years, making them the perfect match. These 6 Australian natives are pollinator magnets that are easy to grow and beautiful to boot.  Whether you have a sprawling backyard or a small balcony, there's something here for every space. → Swipe through for our top picks, then head to your local native nursery this weekend.  Your garden will be buzzing in no time! 🐝 Pro tip: Plant in clusters and choose species that flower at different times of year to provide year-round food sources. #AustralianPollinatorWeek #NativePlants #PollinatorGarden #AustralianNatives #NativeGardening #Biodiversity

This Australian Pollinator Week (Nov 8-15), we're spotlighting the tiny workers that keep our ecosystems thriving. 🐝🦋 Pollinators are essential for our survival.  From the food on our plates to the air we breathe, these creatures are the backbone of healthy ecosystems. But the stats are sobering: Australia has lost over 50% of its native bee species in some regions over the past few decades. Global pollinator populations have declined by up to 40% in recent years, with habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change driving this crisis. But here's the good news: we can all make a difference.  👉 Swipe through to understand why pollinators deserve our attention and action. #AustralianPollinatorWeek #Pollinators #Biodiversity #NativeGardening #Conservation #Sustainability

💚 A huge THANK YOU to our amazing #SeaToSource Port Curtis volunteers who cleaned up 30kgs of litter from Curtis Island this season! We counted 517 items of waste, contributing valuable data to CSIRO’s National Plastic Pollution Monitoring Project. We love our community in Gladstone, and we hope to see you out there at our next event! 📅 Want to join the next event? Head to CVA Volunteer Portal: https://lnkd.in/dE9SfDh #SeaToSourcePortCurtis is proudly funded by the Queensland Government’s Community Sustainability Action Grants Program. #CommunityCleanup #PlasticPollution #Gladstone #EnvironmentalConservation #VolunteerImpact