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Australian Bird Environment Foundation
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"In the absence of such action [improved land management],
I predict that Australia will lose half its terrestrial bird species in the next
century"
H. Recher, Edith Cowan Uni.
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The Australian Bird Environment Foundation (ABEF) is a Trust Fund established by BOCA in 1983 to support practical, on ground, conservation activities as part of the Club’s endeavours to counter the constant threat to Australian bird life from vegetation clearance, habitat degradation and competition from invading species.
ABEF’s principal source of income is its Permanent Habitat Fund which is the capital fund of the Trust invested, in perpetuity, to provide income to support the objectives of the Trust to "ensure the protection and conservation of Australian native birds, associated flora and fauna and their habitats..."
One of the ways ABEF carries out its objectives is by using the income from its investments to provide small grants (up to $3,500) to conservation projects Australia-wide. Since 1983, ABEF has provided some $204,000 in 160 grants spread over every State and Territory. As ABEF has become better known, more and more requests for support are received. In 2004, 33 applications were received, requesting a total of $97,000; only 5 of these could be supported (with the funds available - c. $10,000) even though more were worthy of support. ABEF Trustees are looking for ways to increase their capital, improve their investment strategy, and have more funds available to support a larger number of projects and at a higher level of funding.
ABEF Grants have supported projects of three types: practical conservation such as native plantings for revegetation and fencing of remnant vegetation; research and survey of the needs of Australian birds and their habitats and public education such as provision of information brochures, signage and posters.
Following a review of the Grants programme, ABEF is now accepting applications for funding. Evaluation for funding occurs twice a year: May and October. Application forms, together with supporting information, must be received no later than 31st May or 31st October each year.
Guidelines and Application forms can be downloaded as a pdf file Guidelines 100KB Application Form 100KB
or obtained by contacting BOCA National Office.
The ABEF Trust Deed also provides for other types of support for conservation. ABEF can establish educational and/or research scholarships to assist conservation of Australian birds and their habitats. ABEF can fund educational programmes in schools for the same purpose. Both such activities have been suggested as appropriate directions for BOCA to move towards as additional funds become available.
Donations to ABEF are always welcome. Donors can request that their donation go directly to the Permanent Habitat Fund and can make their donation in their own name or in the name of someone they wish to commemorate. Such names are held as a permanent record in the Register of Donors to the Permanent Habitat Fund and such donors know that their generosity will support programs, in perpetuity, to preserve Australia’s wonderful birds and unique environment.
Bequests to ABEF go directly to the Permanent Habitat Fund and are permanently recorded in the Register of Donors to that fund.
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