Conservation Partners Program
The BCT’s Conservation Partners Program is for landholders wishing to voluntarily protect and manage biodiversity and native vegetation on their land. Unlike the BCT’s Conservation Management Program, which is geographically targeted, the Conservation Partners Program is generally available on an on-going basis for landholders across the state.
You can also read about the Conservation Partners Programs future and how it will be implemented in the BCT's Conservation Partners Program Implementation Plan 2021 - 2025.
Under this program, the BCT uses four mechanisms - all voluntary - to encourage landholders to participate in private land conservation:
- Landholder Applications for Conservation Agreements: Landholders wishing to permanently protect and conserve biodiversity and native vegetation on their land can apply to enter an in-perpetuity partnership conservation agreement. An in-perpetuity conservation agreement is a voluntary agreement between you and the BCT to conserve and manage biodiversity on an area of your land. These agreements are registered on the land title and are binding on subsequent landholders. This option may suit you if you have areas on your land that are of high conservation value, and you wish to ensure those values are protected into the future. Landholders who enter into a partnership conservation agreement are eligible for Conservation Partners Grants. Find out more
- Landholder Applications for Wildlife Refuge Agreements: Landholders wishing to conserve habitat for wildlife can apply to enter a wildlife refuge agreement. Wildlife refuge agreements suit landholders that wish to protect the biodiversity on their land but do not wish to enter into a permanent agreement. BCT also encourages landholders to consider the Wildlife Land Trust run by Humane Society International (HSI) or the Land for Wildlife program run by the Community Environment Network (CEN). A Wildlife Refuge Agreement can be a good option if you wish to explore how you can become involved in conservation and partner with the BCT. Landholders who enter into a Wildlife refuge agreement are eligible for Conservation Partners Grants. Find out more
- Conservation Partners Grants: Landholders with an eligible agreement can apply for a conservation partners grant. Grants can assist landholders to manage and enhance the ecological values of their properties. For example, a landholder may need funding to manage a pest or weed outbreak, or to repair a fence to manage stock. Find out more
- A Revolving Fund: The BCT may sometimes use the Revolving Fund to purchase properties for sale that are outside priority investment areas but contain important ecological assets. Properties will be sold with a pre-commitment agreement to enter an in-perpetuity Conservation Agreement.
What are the benefits of entering a BCT agreement within this program?
Landholders participating in this program will be contributing to biodiversity conservation in NSW.
Participating landholders receive ongoing technical support and can apply for funding from the BCT’s Conservation Partners Grants to help manage and enhance the ecological values of the property.
Landholders with in-perpetuity Conservation Agreements may also benefit from certain local government rate and tax concessions. Landholders should seek their own financial or taxation advice. Find out more
How do I know if I’m eligible for an Agreement under this program?
Agreements can be entered into with any individual, group or corporation that owns land, or leases land from the Crown, that contains high conservation values and meets minimum size and condition requirements.
Find out more details on eligibility criteria and requirements in the Guide for Landholders. Contact the BCT and we will help you to determine whether your property might be eligible for a site assessment.
When can I apply for an in-perpetuity Conservation Agreement or Wildlife Refuge Agreement?
BCT regions may accept expressions of interest from landholders at any time or may specify a period in each year when expressions of interest will be accepted. Find out more
Existing private land conservation agreement holders
The Conservation Partners Program builds upon the private land conservation programs previously offered by the Office of Environment and Heritage and the Nature Conservation Trust of NSW. The BCT will continue to support landholders with existing Conservation Agreements, trust agreements, registered property agreements and wildlife refuges.
Further resources