New $3 Million Matching Challenge to scale up conservation

Australian Wildlife Conservancy

Our biodiversity is in decline. Last year 12 species were declared extinct and 34 species were added to the national Threatened Species List – a 2.3% increase from 2020 and a 39% increase from 2000. If we don’t act now, further extinctions are inevitable.

But there is hope. We have the tools to restore biodiversity, and by scaling up our conservation efforts we can build a brighter future for Australia’s threatened wildlife and habitats.

NewhavenLandscape Awc© Joey Clarke/AWC
AWC now works alone or in partnership across more than 12.9 million hectares. Pictured is the vast landscape of Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary (NT).

Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is very pleased to announce a new $3 million Matching Challenge – by taking part and scaling up your gift, you will help AWC to scale up conservation. Please help AWC take advantage of this incredible opportunity.

Gifts of $500 or more will be matched 100% by seven generous foundations and philanthropists under the Matching Challenge. Donations of any level are hugely appreciated and could mean the difference between survival and extinction for some of Australia’s most threatened species.

Napco SunsetBrad Leue/AWC
AWC delivers Australia’s most extensive biodiversity survey program, essential work for measuring how populations are faring. Biodiversity surveys to confirm the presence of key threatened species are a first priority of the AWC-NAPCo partnership.

For the last six years, AWC’s strategy has deliberately involved establishing innovative partnerships to create replicable templates for conservation management and deliver better outcomes for biodiversity at scale. This year has seen the announcements of the AWC-NAPCo partnership (Qld and NT) and the Ngalurrtju partnership (NT), propelling the area over which AWC works alone or in partnership to more than 12.9 million hectares.

Excitingly, AWC is now in negotiations to acquire a property in New South Wales that will protect critical forest habitat for the endangered Koala. Koalas are thought to have declined across the state by as much as 41% since 2018 and this new sanctuary will provide a major contribution towards their conservation. We look forward to sharing more with you later in the year.

KoalaBrad Leue/AWC
AWC is in the process of acquiring a new property to protect critical Koala habitat in New South Wales.

AWC is working hard to protect and restore some of Australia’s most endangered species. AWC is a new partner in the Queensland Department of Environment and Science-led – supported by Glencore and the Wombat Foundation – Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat recovery program. This critically endangered species has a global population of just 315 animals. Collaborative efforts will deliver crucial on-ground actions to support extant wombats and contribute towards the reintroduction of the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat to an additional site.

In May, AWC’s extensive reintroduction program saw the return of Bilbies and Burrowing Bettongs to Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary (NT). AWC is now working closely with the NT Government to establish a secure population of the critically endangered Central Rock-rat (Antina) at Newhaven. This small (up to 150 grams), stocky, soft-furred animal is threatened by predation from feral cats and the impacts of altered fire regimes.

AWC's reintroduction program makes a major contribution to threatened species conservation.Brad Leue/AWC
AWC’s reintroduction program makes a major contribution to threatened species conservation.

In Queensland’s Wet Tropics, construction of the first fenced feral predator-free area in northern Australia is about to commence at AWC’s Mount Zero-Taravale Wildlife Sanctuary. On completion, this will be a safe haven for the endangered Northern Bettong.

Please help AWC take advantage of this incredible opportunity, and double the impact of your gift. From 1 June, gifts of $500 or more will be matched 100% under the $3 million Matching Challenge that has been generously put forward by the JAAM Foundation, Martin Copley Will Trust, Spinifex Foundation and four philanthropists. Donations of any level are hugely appreciated and will help to AWC protect Australia’s wildlife and habitats.

The endangered Northern Bettong has an estimated global population size of less than 1,200 individuals and is one of 20 Australian mammals most at risk of extinction.Wayne Lawler/AWC
The endangered Northern Bettong has an estimated global population size of less than 1,200 individuals and is one of 20 Australian mammals most at risk of extinction.

You can donate online or call our office on 08 9380 9633.

If you have already donated – thank you so much for your support.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible gift this tax season, please consider scaling up your gift to help AWC scale up conservation where it counts – in the field.

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