How we work
What makes us different?
Striving to make a real difference to protect and conserve the Australian environment for the benefit of people and nature, we pride ourselves on five key strengths in the way we work.
1. We get things done
We’re proud to be very action-oriented in our approach to conservation. While we invest in policy formulation, public awareness campaigns and other forms of indirect conservation action, most of our efforts are applied directly in the field to make an immediate difference for conservation.
See for yourself with these examples:
2. We’re highly trusted
In 2018, for the fifth time, The Nature Conservancy was named as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute, an independent research centre. This honour recognises our focus on ethics and integrity in everything we do.
We were the only philanthropic organisation to be recognised.
The diversity of partners we work with here in Australia in business, government and local communities also demonstrates the high levels of trust these entities place in us.
3. We’re efficient
Working closely with a range of partners such as farmers, fishers, Indigenous rangers and other environmental groups means we conduct our work in the most efficient way possible.
In fact, 76% of our funding goes directly to supporting our conservation projects. We’ve had more than 65 years’ experience in getting this right.
4. We’re experts in our field
Our Australia team includes a range of expert specialists, about half of whom are scientists with marine biology, ecology, zoology or forest conservation backgrounds.
You can meet each of our Australian program scientists and learn about what they do here.
Being part of a global team working across more than 70 countries and territories means we can also draw on the 400 other scientists employed by The Nature Conservancy globally including the talents of our global Senior Lead Scientist, Dr Eddie Game.
5. Our work has the highest impact
We’re highly focused on conservation work that has the highest possible impact on a landscape or seascape scale. Take for example our shellfish reef restoration projects underway in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland (unique to TNC in Australia), or our impact investment project in the Murray-Darling Basin balancing agriculture, finance and the environment – another Australian first. You can learn more about the impacts we’re having across Australia here.
We hope you’ll join us and support our work to address climate change, protect and conserve nature and sustain abundant clean water.
Blog
See our awards
While most of our efforts go towards projects in the field to conserve nature, it’s nice to be recognised occasionally for this hard work.
Initiative
Diversity, equity and inclusion
At The Nature Conservancy, we have a strong and abiding commitment to diversity in our workforce and in the people and groups with which we work.
Policies and Procedures
Our mission, vision and values
The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.
Be a part of the change
The challenges facing our natural world have never been greater and the need for bold solutions has never been more urgent. Your generous support will put the best conservation science into action right now.