The existing property market does not differentiate between land with a high conservation value and land with little or no conservation value. In fact, often, properties with higher environmental values (e.g. grazing properties with denser vegetation coverage) have a lower market value as production may be constrained.

Revolving funds operate in a defined market niche—private properties with high nature conservation values owned by a section of the community with the passion and the funds to purchase land and commit to preserving its environmental values. The revolving fund process:

• identifies and purchases properties with high conservation values
• registers a legally enforceable permanent conservation covenant on the title of the property
• sells the covenanted properties to conservation-minded buyers
• provides assistance to new owners with access to expert advice, support and (in some cases) incentives.

On completion of this cycle, the sale proceeds are returned to the fund so that the cycle can be repeated.

A number of revolving conservation funds have been established. For example, the Victorian Trust for Nature has successfully mobilised a growing market for conservation properties. The trust has a reserve of money that is used, and re-used, to build up a portfolio of private conservation assets.

In some instances, properties purchased and protected by the trust have been resold at a premium[1]. Bigger trusts can respond quickly as properties come onto the market. The Victorian Trust for Nature also acts as property-broker, finding prospective purchasers for protected properties.

Some organisations, such as the national Bush Heritage Trust, administer philanthropic funds to purchase and manage private lands, but they do not operate as revolving funds.

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[1] It is uncertain whether this is because the rehabilitated and protected properties are attracting a premium from a niche sector of the property market, or whether the properties have simply increased in value along with general market movements.

The existing property market does not differentiate between land with a high conservation value and land with little or no conservation value. In fact, often, properties with higher environmental values (e.g. grazing properties with denser vegetation coverage) have a lower market value as production may be constrained.

Revolving funds operate in a defined market niche—private properties with high nature conservation values owned by a section of the community with the passion and the funds to purchase land and commit to preserving its environmental values. The revolving fund process:

• identifies and purchases properties with high conservation values
• registers a legally enforceable permanent conservation covenant on the title of the property
• sells the covenanted properties to conservation-minded buyers
• provides assistance to new owners with access to expert advice, support and (in some cases) incentives.

On completion of this cycle, the sale proceeds are returned to the fund so that the cycle can be repeated.

A number of revolving conservation funds have been established. For example, the Victorian Trust for Nature has successfully mobilised a growing market for conservation properties. The trust has a reserve of money that is used, and re-used, to build up a portfolio of private conservation assets.

In some instances, properties purchased and protected by the trust have been resold at a premium[1]. Bigger trusts can respond quickly as properties come onto the market. The Victorian Trust for Nature also acts as property-broker, finding prospective purchasers for protected properties.

Some organisations, such as the national Bush Heritage Trust, administer philanthropic funds to purchase and manage private lands, but they do not operate as revolving funds.

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[1] It is uncertain whether this is because the rehabilitated and protected properties are attracting a premium from a niche sector of the property market, or whether the properties have simply increased in value along with general market movements.