The BCT’s Conservation Partners Program is for landholders wishing to protect and manage biodiversity on their land. 

Under this program, the BCT uses four mechanisms - all voluntary - to encourage landholders to participate in private land conservation: 

1. Landholder Applications for Conservation Agreements: Landholders wishing to permanently protect and conserve biodiversity on their land can apply to enter an in-perpetuity Conservation Agreement at any time. An in-perpetuity Conservation Agreement is a voluntary agreement between you and the BCT to conserve and manage biodiversity on an area of your land. These agreements are registered on the land title and are binding on subsequent landholders. This option may suit you if you have areas on your land that are of high conservation value and you wish to ensure those values are protected into the future. Find out more.
    
2. Landholder Applications for Wildlife Refuge Agreements: Landholders wishing to conserve habitat for wildlife can apply to enter a wildlife refuge agreement at any time. BCT also encourages landholders to consider the Wildlife Land Trust run by Humane Society International (HSI) or the Land for Wildlife program run by the Community Environment Network (CEN). Wildlife Refuge Agreements are an option if you wish to protect the biodiversity on your land but do not wish to enter into a permanent agreement. This can be a good option if you wish to explore how you can become involved in conservation. Find out more.
    
3. Conservation Partners Grants: All landholders with an agreement that does not include annual conservation management payments, including any new agreements arising under this program, can apply at any time for a conservation partners grant. Grants can assist landholders to maintain the ecological values of their properties. For example, a landholder may need funding to manage a pest or weed outbreak, or to repair a fence to manage stock. Find out more.
    
4. A Revolving Fund: The BCT may sometimes use the revolving fund to purchase properties for sale outside priority investment areas but which contain important ecological assets. Properties will be sold with a pre-commitment agreement to enter an in-perpetuity Conservation Agreement.

Funding

Grant funding ranges from $2,000 to $15,000 per year for up to three years. Higher levels of funding are only available for in-perpetuity Conservation Agreements.

Eligibility

Eligibility for this program depends on your property’s size, and the type and condition of flora and fauna.

This program has two agreement types:

1. Conservation Agreements - In-perpetuity and registered on the land title for protection into the future. Any new owners must continue managing the land for conservation.

2. Wildlife Refuges - Recorded on the land title and transferred to subsequent landholders. Can be revoked by the landholder at any time. *Interested landholders may be encouraged to consider the Land for Wildlife program as an alternative. 

You can apply for a grant from the BCT if you have one of the following NSW private land conservation agreements:

• unfunded conservation agreement
• trust agreement
• registered property agreement
• wildlife refuge or wildlife refuge agreement
• participation in the Humane Society International’s (HSI) Wildlife Land Trust program.

• Phone: 1300 992 688
• Email: info@bct.nsw.gov.au