Trust for Nature has developed four key mechanisms for achieving real conservation gains.

Conservation Covenants - providing permanent protection

Conservation Covenants are a voluntary but legally-binding agreements between landholders and Trust for Nature to permanently protect the natural heritage of a property. 

Conservation Covenants remain one of the most effective forms of private bushland protection, as the covenant remains on the title of a property, even if it is sold.

Conservation Covenants are backed by State legislation through the Victorian Conservation Trust Act (1972). 

Trust for Nature currently has more than 980 Conservation Covenants, protecting about 40,000 hectares.  Click here for further information.

Stewardship - the support program

Trust for Nature recognises landholders for having made a commitment to ongoing conservation by placing a Conservation Covenant on their properties.

To help landholders, Trust for Nature has developed a highly successful Stewardship Program.  This provides support to covenantors to achieve best land management practice through expert advice, assistance to source works and fencing and possible rate and tax rebates.

The program also offers landholders the opportunity to learn more about why their property is so ecologically important. Click here to find out more about the covenant support Stewardship Program.

Revolving Fund - a cycle of success

In 1989, Trust for Nature established its highly successful Revolving Fund with funds sourced through bequests, donations and the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust.

Trust for Nature uses the fund to buy environmentally significant land, which it then on-sells with the condition of a Conservation Covenant.

All proceeds from the sale of Revolving Fund properties are wholly returned to the Revolving Fund to replenish its reserves and allow for future purchases.

Trust for Nature has sold 41 properties through the Revolving Fund, protecting nearly 4000 hectares of Victorian bushland.  Trust for Nature's Revolving Fund currently has four properties on the market.

Click here to see our current list of Revolving Fund properties or go to the Properties for Sale section of the website.

Land Acquisition - buying back the bush

Trust for Nature will continue to purchase properties of high conservation significance in the interest of all Australians, both now and into the future.

Properties purchased and retained by Trust for Nature are managed accordingly and almost always with the support of a voluntary friends' group.

One of the more well-known Trust for Nature-owned properties is Neds Corner Station, a 30,000 hectare former sheep station on the Murray River in Mildura, which is the largest private property in Victoria.  Trust for Nature also purchased Churchill Island near Phillip Island in West Gippsland, before gifting it back to Victoria for inclusion in the state's reserve system.