The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) is an Australian non-profit, community-based environmental group focused on advocacy, policy research and community education for environmental reform and ecologically sustainable development.

History

The Foundation was established as a an incorporated body in 1966 after distinguished Australian scientist Sir Francis Radcliffe was inspired by a 1963 memo from the Duke of Edinburgh to establish a national conservation body. Sir Garfield Barwick, Chief Justice of the High Court, was appointed ACF's first President. 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ... 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1963 calendar). ... The Duke of Edinburgh The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (Philip Mountbatten, formerly Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark) (born 10 June 1921, Greece) is the husband of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. ... Sir Garfield Edward John Barwick, AK GCMG, PC (22 June 1903 - 14 July 1997) was the Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia. ... High Court entrance The High Court of Australia is the final court of appeal in Australia, the highest court in the Australian court hierarchy. ...

Campaigns & Programs

ACF's work covers a wide range of issues, including: biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture and land management, climate change and energy, nuclear issues, sustainable consumption, forests, oceans, sustainable cities, corporate environmental responsibility, environmental law reform, healthy rivers and water management, sustainable consumption, and ecologically sustainable development in northern Australia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea.

Style

ACF's approach to campaigning strongly emphasises the sound research of proposed reforms and a collaborative approach where possible. The organization has good networks in Australia's scientific and policy research communities, and is renowned for developing novel solutions to sustainability challenges together with unlikely partners; often on a shoestring budget. This reflects ACF's tendency to balance a strong commitment to sustainability principles with an understanding of the importance of cross-sectoral and cooperative approaches to social change.

Past partnerships include working the National Farmers' Federation to launch the Australian Landcare movement and lobby for national water reform; 'roundtables' with a variety of leading Australian corporations and scientific institutions to call for early action on climate change and land degradation, an alliance with a major wine company to promote wildlife conservation on vineyards, and working with local governments to promote sustainable behaviour amongst consumers and householders. ACF has also worked with Indigenous, forestry, research, farming, finance, renewable energy, and assorted other interests; as well as other environmental groups at all levels.

This said, ACF retains a strong independence of thought and action, and remains politically non-aligned. Decisions on whether or not to accept funding and assistance from corporations or governments are first subject to strict ethical protocols, background checks and debate, so as to minimise the risk of being swayed by powerful private interests.

ACF's pluralist, pragmatic philosophy is also reflected in the mix of policy proposals and solutions it puts forward. The organisation has advanced market-based approaches, voluntarism, education, institutional reforms and regulation, or some mix of these - always with a strong public interest and sustainability test.

Campaigning style varies with the issue and circumstances in question. For instance, ACF has, at various times and in different arenas, worked in partnership with corporations, sought to change their behaviour through legal reforms, and taken a strongly adversarial stance to expose environmental injustice and bring about change.

Funding

Over ninety percent of ACF's funding is received from its members and supporters, with the small remainder derived from government grants and from selected companies.

Organization

ACF is governed by a thirty-seven member Council of representatives elected every three years by the organization's membership. The Council meets regularly to determine organizational policy and priorities. ACF's democratic structure helps to ensure that its sixty-odd staff keep in touch with Australia's diverse grassroots environmental movement, while maintaining a high degree of professionalism and a strategic approach to sustainability issues of national significance. Council elects an Executive which meets more frequently to debate and decide on organizational matters in more detail. Council also appoints a voluntary President who represents ACF at a high level and who chairs Council meetings. In 2005 Ian Lowe, distinguished Australian scientist and Emeritus Professor of Science, Technology and Society at Griffith University, was appointed President. 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External link

• Australian Conservation Foundation