Member-only event
Following on from our inaugural funder group meeting last year, we are pleased to announce our first 2021 gathering for the Indigenous land and sea management funder group.
Patrick O’Leary, Executive Director of Country Needs People, will take you through the evolution of the Indigenous land and sea management (ILSM) sector, the incredible achievements and benefits delivered to biodiversity, climate change mitigation and improved economic, social and cultural circumstances for First Nations communities as well as future challenges and opportunities for philanthropy.
We will also hear from AEGN members on their current funding approach and break into small groups to get to know each other better and discuss ILSM funding.
Connect with funders across Australia who share your passion for Indigenous land and sea management.
This group acts a forum to:
- Share funding experiences, best practice and lessons learned and act as a sounding board to resolve questions and overcome funding challenges.
- Find funding opportunities, co-fund, collaborate and share strategy as well as build knowledge around funding respectfully and effectively.
- Learn about the sector and catch up on the latest news and developments by hearing from practitioners, experts and experienced funders.
Find out more about our Indigenous land and sea management funder group.
Further information
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people own or manage over 4 million square kilometres of land and sea Country – over half of Australia’s land mass. These areas include some of the most biodiverse and intact ecosystems on the planet. In addition, Indigenous protected areas make up 47 per cent of the National Reserve System and this is expected to expand to 54 per cent over the coming year.
As a nation, Australia faces major challenges in arresting biodiversity decline. Indigenous land and sea managers are providing significant contributions to addressing this national challenge. And yet First Nations people are not necessarily resourced to access and manage their lands, to remove invasive plants and pests, to reintroduce traditional fire practices and to care for cultural sites.
While government provides funding for Indigenous land and sea management programs, this does not meet the demand from Traditional Owner groups and it is not sufficient to maintain the environmental health of the vast continent.
How philanthropy can help
Philanthropy has a role to play in supporting this critical work to expand into new areas, trial new models and approaches, and build the capacity of First Nations organisations.
