Saras Kumar Conservation Impact specialist

A Natural Legacy - Revitalising private land conservation in South Australia for nature, people and thriving rural landscapes

Voluntary conservation commitments by landholders have a vital role to play in protecting South Australia’s native wildlife and sustaining thriving rural landscapes. Many landholders have committed to conservation by entering into a Heritage Agreement. There are now more than 1,600 Heritage Agreements protecting more than 1.8 million hectares.

A Natural Legacy - Revitalising private land conservation in South Australia for nature, people and thriving rural landscapes evaluates the benefits of the Heritage Agreement Program and highlights opportunities for strengthening the program.

For many years, South Australia had a well-deserved reputation as a leader in private land conservation, but a sharp decline in funding over the past decade has left landholders without much needed support to protect and manage wildlife habitat on their land.

To revitalise the program a partnership approach needs to be taken by:

• Matching landholders’ commitment to conservation with increased investment
• Supporting practical cooperation between landholders
• Enhancing conservation management and monitoring
• Encouraging integration of conservation and primary production

Download report.