Introduction to the

NSW Biodiversity

Conservation Trust

National Carbon Farming Conference

Albury – August 2019

Peter Ewin – Regional Manager (Murray Riverina) | Scott Hartvigsen Photography

Introduction

• Personal Introduction

• Background of the BCT

• Private Land Conservation

• Offsets

Biodiversity Conservation Trust | Protecting biodiversity. Bringing benefits to landholders.

Our Vision

Maximising the biodiversity conservation outcomes

achieved with the public and private resources entrusted

in the BCT to support private land conservation to deliver

a healthy, productive and resilient environment across

NSW.

Biodiversity Conservation Trust | Protecting biodiversity. Bringing benefits to landholders.

| Scott Hartvigsen Photography

Biodiversity Conservation Trust | Protecting biodiversity. Bringing benefits to landholders.

1. Encourage landholders to enter agreements to conserve biodiversity and support productive landscapes

2. Deliver a strategic biodiversity offsetting service.

3. Support our landholders to support biodiversity on their land.

4. Promote public knowledge, appreciation and understanding of the value of biodiversity conservation.

5. Invest in our people to build an engaged, professional, customer-oriented and high-performing organisation.

Our Purpose and Goals

Biodiversity Conservation Trust | Protecting biodiversity. Bringing benefits to landholders.

BCT Programs

5

• Conservation Agreements

• Wildlife Refuges• Grants• Revolving Fund

• Supply side allowing landholders to generate credits

• Demand side for developers to buy credits or pay into the fund.

• Conservation Tenders• Fixed Price Offer• Revolving Fund

Biodiversity Conservation Trust | Protecting biodiversity. Bringing benefits to landholders.

Key Priorities for Investment

Biodiversity Conservation Investment Strategy (2018)

NSW Governments strategy for investing in private land conservation

Landscapes prioritised using best available information

Biodiversity Conservation Trust | Protecting biodiversity. Bringing benefits to landholders.

Outcomes

Koala Scarlet robinSquirrel gliderRegent honeyeater

Since March 2018

• 136 new conservation agreements with private landholders in NSW

• Equates to more than 29,000 hectares

• Represents investment of over $91 million for the BCT

• Also 63 grants between BCT and existing agreement holders

• Many rare or threatened species, ecosystems and 29 priority NSW landscapes are being conserved

under these agreements.

Biodiversity Conservation Trust | Protecting biodiversity. Bringing benefits to landholders.

Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements

• Permanently protect and improve land for biodiversity

• Generates biodiversity credits, which can be:

➢ Used to offset own development

➢ Sold to a developer

➢ Sold to the BCT

• Accredited assessor applies BAM:

➢ Management plan

➢ Type and number of credits generated

• Management money secured in total fund deposit when credits sold

• Landholder paid to undertake required management actions

stewardship site

remainder of property

Biodiversity Conservation Trust | Protecting biodiversity. Bringing benefits to landholders.

How does the Biodiversity Conservation Fund work?

Biodiversity Conservation Trust | Protecting biodiversity. Bringing benefits to landholders.