Coming together for our second Annual General Meeting was a time for us to reflect on how Land Covenantors Victoria came to be. What does it take to launch a not-for-profit to support landholders across Victoria? It takes people: motivated, generous and determined. And pragmatically, it also takes financial, practical and governance support to establish a robust organisation that grows in strength at a rate that has even surprised us!
Looking back to the minutes of our inaugural meeting in August 2021, we already had the key elements in place. From day one we had good people, willing to give their time to support and promote the benefits of private land conservation. And we are grateful that we had the backing of the Rendere Environmental Trust. Rendere means “to give”. And what the Trust has given LCV and all Victorians is an unwavering confidence in the benefits that accrue from supporting private land conservation.
Rendere Environmental Trust is an invite-only Trust that provides strategic advice and core funding to get pioneering community conservation initiatives off the ground with strong organisational structures. The Trust supports, enables and strengthens community leadership and where there is a gap, Rendere facilitates and fosters the start-up of new environmental not-for-profit organisations.
Rendere Environmental Trust connected LCV to EcoLands Collective to provide back-of-house support to establish governance structures, strategic planning, build a beautiful and informative website, obtain legal advice on structuring LCV as a Registered Charity, all the way to funding our wonderful engagement and operations support person.
Rendere Environmental Trust has walked with us every step of the way, mentoring, and celebrating with us, as well as motivating us with the quiet expectation that LCV will continue to extend its reach to achieve our vision: Victoria is a place where it is normal for private landholders to adopt a conservation covenant to protect biodiversity, and the benefit to the natural world and future generations is widely understood by all.
We are grateful and proud to be in the stables with others supported by Rendere Environmental Trust. Their reach extends across Australia, including supporting Victorian initiatives like Landcare Victoria Inc, Mount Rothwell Sanctuary (Odonata), the Gippsland Forest Dialogue, and Prom Coast Ecolink. For pure inspiration, check out these case studies of how Rendere is achieving collaborative impact.
Land Covenantors Victoria acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Victoria and their deep connections to land, water and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. Contact: info@landcovenantors.org.au
LCV is a Registered Charity. ABN: 28727715232