How voluntary conservation helps nature
Across Lutruwita/Tasmania, private landholders are playing a powerful role in protecting biodiversity through voluntary conservation programs like Land for Wildlife and WildTracker. These programs are more than just checklists of actions – they’re part of a deeper journey of connection, care and stewardship.
To better understand and support this journey, the University of Tasmania and Tasmanian Land Conservancy are collaborating on a three-year NESP Resilient Landscapes Hub supported research project. Each year, participants are invited to share observations about:
- recent changes (good or bad) in their property’s habitat
- the threats their land faces
- their ability to manage conservation issues on their land.
At the heart of this study is the Noticing Nature Cycle. This is a feedback loop where noticing wildlife leads to a deeper connection with nature, which in turn inspires more sustainable and active land management. This cycle is not just theoretical; it is being lived out by many Tasmanian landholders.
What we’ve learned so far
Watch a snapshot of the findings
Stronger nature connection: Survey participants scored significantly higher than the national and even the Tasmanian averages on the Nature Connection Index. This suggests members feel a stronger bond with the natural world.
But what does this mean? Are participants already highly nature-connected (and more likely to participate in surveys – thank you!), or does involvement in the programs help strengthen that connection? It may well be both, and we aim to tease this out.
Active land management: Connection is only part of the story. Survey responses showed participants are actively managing their land – from controlling weeds to engaging with neighbours about conservation.
Motivated and self-sufficient: Many members arrived with clear management goals, high levels of self-sufficiency and strong intrinsic motivation. At the same time, they are seeking opportunities to learn and develop as land managers.
Useful, actionable advice: Around 60% of respondents said they’d received useful, actionable advice from Land for Wildlife. However, not all based their management directly on this advice, perhaps because many members come to the program with a lot of knowledge.
One participant summed up the self-sufficient approach:
‘We’ve mostly just got on with things ourselves. I manage reasonably well, and while the odd discussion with others helps, most of it is trial and error. In the end, no one knows the land like the person who’s lived on it long term.’
What members told us they’d value
Survey responses also highlighted where members would like more help. Many said they struggle with managing feral cats, weeds and fire. Others emphasised the kind of support that would make conservation work easier and more rewarding, including:
Practical, personalised advice: Participants asked for more tailored resources such as planting lists and species notes. One summed it up:
‘It’d be great to have a bit more ongoing support, like workshops and connecting with others, just to know we’re on the right track. I’d also love more practical help with tricky stuff like weed or feral cat management, and things like planting lists or personalised species notes would make a real difference.’
Workshops and peer connection: Members expressed interest in more opportunities to learn together – from skill-building workshops to connecting with others facing similar challenges. These interactions help build confidence and reinforce that landholders are not working in isolation.
Support for tough issues: Many people are seeking targeted advice on fire management. We’ve started this journey through workshops and connecting with specialists, like Red Hot Tips, but more can be done.
Digital access and resources: Some members told us that digital access to resources would be useful:
‘Having digital copies of reports would be handy too – I actually misplaced mine, which was such a shame because it was so useful. Tools like iNaturalist and WildTracker have been game changers, and I’d really value more help tapping into resources like that, or even case studies and local research.’
Species-specific advice: More species-specific advice is something members are seeking, and it’s an area we can continue to work on – along with highlighting the usefulness of apps like iNaturalist.
Community and neighbour involvement: Stronger connections between landholders were also seen as valuable. Even those who don’t feel they need advice, want to know that they are part of a bigger effort, and many hope that their Land for Wildlife sign encourages others.
Resources and follow-up visits: Some Land for Wildlife survey respondents said they would appreciate further input after their initial property visit. While our small team focuses on welcoming new members, a subset may be selected for second visits as part of this research.
We also recognise that Land for Wildlife members who joined before 2019 may not have received resources such as an initial property visit and report owing to limited resourcing at the time. If you’re one of these people, please reach out to us at landforwildlife@tasland.org.au
What’s next
The research will continue through annual surveys and ecological assessments, helping us understand how voluntary conservation programs can be even more effective – and celebrating the incredible contributions of landholders who are making a big difference.
All these actions – from noticing wildlife to connecting with nature, from managing weeds to working with neighbours – are part of a broader pattern of sustainable stewardship that grows stronger over time. As participants feel more connected to their land, they are more likely to take meaningful conservation actions. This creates a virtuous cycle that benefits both people and the planet.