Our Natural Legacy: 2025 Landholder Forum
WHERE: CAIRNS
WHEN: Tuesday 7th October
Australian landholders play a critical role in looking after nature. And across the country there are already thousands working hard to do their bit. Some enter into a legal agreement to protect the biodiversity on their land – usually called a ‘conservation covenant’ or a ‘nature refuge’. Others do things like tree planting, weed management, or wildlife monitoring.
Whether you’re already part of a conservation program or just beginning to explore your options, the Landholder Forum is a rare opportunity to come together with peers and exchange ideas, gain practical advice, and hear what’s working (and what’s not) from those on a similar journey.
No matter the size or use of your property—productive, conservation, or somewhere in between—you’ll walk away with insights, connections, and greater confidence to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities of protecting, managing, and restoring nature on private land.
- Hear from leading experts and landholders from different regions and property types
- Discover what support is out there and how to access it
- Learn how to make your voice count with practical things you can to do advocate for stronger support and recognition
Following a sold-out event in VIC/NSW last year, the 2025 Landholder Forum will be held in Cairns, as part of the Australian Land Conservation Alliance’s national conference.
The Landholder Forum can be attended as a standalone event (just $38.50) or as part of your full ALCA Conference experience.
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PROGRAM
Session 1: Private land conservation in perspective
Australia’s future depends on healthy landscapes, and landholders are at the heart of that story. With over 60% of land privately owned or managed, your role in protecting nature is critical. This session zooms out for a look at the big picture: how private land conservation fits into national and global efforts, the achievements so far, and what’s still needed to create a lasting legacy.
Speakers:
- James Fitzsimons, Senior Advisor, Global Protection Strategies, The Nature Conservancy
- Mark Brettschneider, Land Manager, Gayini; Vice Chair, Nari Nari Tribal Council
- Kirstiana Ward, Managing Lawyer, Environmental Defenders Office
- Facilitated by Vic Marles AM, Chair, Australian Land Conservation Alliance; and landholder/conservation covenantor
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Session 2: The conservation toolkit – who pays, who helps?
Managing land for conservation takes time, resources and know-how, so who’s backing you? We’ll explore the current landscape of support and incentives for landholders wanting to protect nature. From council programs to tax reforms, carbon and biodiversity markets, and new legacy options, we’ll dig into what’s already out there, what’s missing, and how to make conservation more viable.
Speakers:
- Michael Cornish, Policy Lead, Australian Land Conservation Alliance
- Deborah Metters, Landholder, and SEQ Land for Wildlife Coordinator
- Dixie Fitzclarence, Contracts Manager and Southern NSW Biolink Coordinator, BioDiversity Legacy
- Andrew Cleary, Landholder (NSW)
- Facilitated by Councillor Jeff Baines, Cassowary Coast Regional Council
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Session 3: Advocacy and advice for landholders
Option A: Story of Self
Your story is one of the most powerful tools you have to inspire change. Story of Self training helps build trust, create connection, and make abstract issues feel personal and relatable. It’s especially effective in advocacy, media, and community conversations — helping people understand why you care, so they’re more likely to act too.
This practical, cut-down version of the Nature Media Centre’s training program will give you the foundations of your own landholder narrative: one that resonates, whether you’re speaking to media, decision-makers or peers. You’ll also gain access to ongoing support, networks and advocacy pathways.
Trainers:
Erin Farley and Tracey Ferrier, Nature Media Centre
Option B: Ask an Expert
Got an ecological, land management, legal or policy question about conservation? Bring it along to this round-robin session where you can tap into expert advice across key areas of private land conservation. You can rotate through focused discussion tables, each hosted by a specialist, with time to ask questions, share experiences, and crowdsource solutions from peers. There’ll also be a facilitated “Landholder Exchange” where you can crowd-source info and troubleshoot issues with your peers.
Experts and topics:
- Land management advice – Queensland: Keith Smith, Senior Program Officer, Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation
- Accessing incentives: Deborah Metters, Regional Coordinator Land for Wildlife (South East Queensland)
- Legalities of protection mechanisms: Kirstiana Ward, Environmental Defenders’ Office
- Land management advice – outside Queensland: Natasha Crook, Ecologist, NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust
- Working with NRM organisations: Tony O’Malley, Terrain NRM
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Session 4: Private land conservation and Traditional Owner partnerships
Many landholders want to engage with Traditional Owners but are unsure how to start. This session shares practical examples of Traditional Owner-led conservation projects and successful partnerships. Hear directly from Traditional Owners and landholders about building respectful, lasting collaborations that are good for both culture and conservation, and their learnings along the way, followed by an open Q&A.
Speakers:
- Allira Alvoen, IPA Manager, Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation
- Kallum Clarke, Chief Operating Officer & Senior Ranger IMA, Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation
- Dewayne Mundraby, Economic Development Manager, Mandingalbay Yidinji Aboriginal Corporation
- Helen Tait, Executive Officer, Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji Peoples Prescribed Body Corporation
- Facilitated by Mark Wargent, Indigenous Partnerships & Strategy Manager, Terrain NRM
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Session 5: Why we do it (and sometimes why we don’t)
Landholders protect, manage, or restore nature for lots of different reasons, do it in lots of different ways, and come from all walks of life. For some it’s about boosting productivity, for others, it’s about giving back. But what you all have in common is a desire to look after the things and people you love. In this session, hear personal stories about the choices, challenges, and motivations behind private land conservation — including why some landholders with high-value properties may choose not to sign formal agreements. Followed by an audience Q&A.
Speakers:
- Aidan Burrage, Landholder
- John Clarkson, Landholder; and President, Trees for the Evelyn and Atherton Tablelands (TREAT)
- Garlone Moulin, Landholder
- Facilitated by Keith Smith, Senior Program Officer, Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation
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The 2025 Landholder Forum is being delivered by the Australian Land Conservation Alliance (ALCA), with support from Bank Australia, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and Terrain NRM.
