Nature Foundation's leadership, including Chair Jan Ferguson and CEO Alex Nankivell, recently visited the Hiltaba Nature Reserve alongside the Gawler Ranges Aboriginal Corporation (GRAC) and GreenCollar to discuss the Hiltaba Carbon Project. This initiative, a partnership between all three organisations, plans to regenerate 23,000ha of native forest in an area significant for both cultural and biodiversity conservation, tapping into environmental markets such as Carbon and emerging Nature Positive markets. The 25-year collaboration is set to not only foster new ways of working together on cultural management and conservation initiatives but also aims to train young people from the Gawler Ranges through the Kids on Country program.

The 2021 State of the Environment report released by Australia's Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, revealed a poor and deteriorating condition of the country's environment, attributing it to pressures from climate change, habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, and resource extraction. The government has committed to counter these issues by protecting 30% of the nation's land and sea by 2030, acknowledging the essential role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and local communities. In light of this, Nature Foundation continues its dedicated conservation efforts, having added 20,736 hectares to its portfolio in the last 3 years, and eagerly awaits future announcements in the biodiversity conservation space from the federal government.

On Monday, Chair of the Board Jan Ferguson OAM, newly appointed CEO Alex Nankivell and Deputy CEO Mark Ashley gave a comprehensive update on Nature Foundation's work over the last few months. This included how 10 years of managing Hiltaba and Witchelina Nature Reserves for conservation is paying off, updates on carbon projects on our properties and elsewhere and our dream to increase the amount of land we manage for conservation.

The Nature Foundation has appointed Alex Nankivell as its new Chief Executive after a thorough selection process conducted by Hender Consulting and the Foundation's Board. The Board unanimously agreed on Alex, who is the longest-serving staff member and has contributed significantly to the Foundation's success. With a vision to position the Nature Foundation as a leader in the Nature Positive Future, Alex will lead the Foundation's focus on increasing biodiversity, developing partnerships with Traditional Owners, reintroducing fauna or flora to reserves, and positioning the Foundation as a knowledge leader in conservation and biodiversity management.

In June, an eleven-person team spent a week upgrading the popular Pretty Point Campground at Hiltaba Nature Reserve. The team, comprised of Gawler Ranges National Park Rangers and Nature Foundation volunteers, completed a series of improvements. The upgrade included creating a new entry and exit loop, designating sixteen campsites, revegetating eroded areas, planting 40 trees, moving fire rings, installing new signage, adding over 300 recycled wooden fence post bollards, and realigning the Betty and Bob Lewis Walking Trail's entry. The team's efforts were aided by generous donations of resources and labor from various contributors, including a bobcat for digging post holes and finishing off the ground surface.