The Issue:

Indigenous ecosystems across New Zealand and Australia are experiencing biodiversity decline, climate pressures, and reduced capacity for community-led conservation because Indigenous stewardship has been under-resourced and disconnected from traditional knowledge systems. The application argues that the core problem is not a lack of Indigenous knowledge, but a lack of support to activate and sustain Indigenous-led conservation at scale. The project addresses this by restoring intergenerational knowledge transfer and embedding conservation into regenerative tourism, creating ongoing resources, employment, and environmental action led by Indigenous communities themselves.

What are Measurable Outcomes Expected from the Funding of this Project?

• 5,000+ native plants established, along with 3+ seed collection, propagation, and food sovereignty initiatives supporting biodiversity restoration.

• Six Indigenous communities actively delivering conservation, ecosystem restoration, and food sovereignty initiatives through visitor participation.

• 20 Indigenous youth complete the exchange, contribute to biodiversity monitoring and data collection, and co-design Indigenous-led conservation initiatives that are integrated into regenerative tourism

 What Would a Successful Project Result In?

Twenty Indigenous youth help establish conservation initiatives and regenerative tourism experiences across six Indigenous communities, restoring thousands of native plants while creating community-led tourism experiences that generate ongoing support for conservation and cultural revitalization.