United by Nature

How a French NGO Inspired Our Citizen Conservation Movement

At People For Nature, we believe the power to protect and regenerate nature lies in the hands of everyday people. This belief isn’t unique to us—in fact, it’s inspired by a global movement. One of the organisations that helped spark our vision is the French NGO Humanité et Biodiversité.

A Shared Vision Across Continents

Based in France, Humanité et Biodiversité is a pioneering organisation dedicated to strengthening the connection between humans and nature. At their core is the recognition that biodiversity is not just a matter for scientists or policymakers—it’s everyone’s business.

Their purpose resonates deeply with ours: to empower individuals, communities, and decision-makers to value and protect biodiversity as a foundation for life, health, and resilience.

Nature in the City: An International Imperative

Both France and Australia face the pressing challenge of biodiversity loss in urban environments. As our cities expand and landscapes change, so too must our strategies for conservation.

Humanité et Biodiversité responded with a powerful concept: “Oasis Nature”—a network of citizen-created spaces that welcome and protect biodiversity. These oases may be urban gardens, schoolyards, balconies, farms, or parks—anywhere people choose to give space back to nature.

At People For Nature, we were inspired to bring this model to Australia, where over 500 threatened species now live in or around cities. Like our French counterparts, we’re building a movement that enables people to turn their own spaces—gardens, verges, rooftops—into living, breathing Nature Oasis.

Local Roots, Global Impact

What began in France is blossoming here in Australia. Guided by the same principles of citizen empowerment, ecological responsibility, and community connection, we’re working toward a national network of Nature Oasis—from backyards in Brisbane to balconies in Melbourne.

Together, we aim to regenerate hectares of urban biodiversity habitat by 2030—powered not by large-scale development, but by thousands of small, citizen-led actions.

Why Citizen-Powered Change Matters

Both Humanité et Biodiversité and People For Nature understand that:

🦋 Biodiversity is essential to human wellbeing, from pollination to mental health.

🌱 Small-scale habitats matter, especially when they’re connected.

👣 Everyone can act—no matter where they live or how much space they have.

🤝 Change starts with connection, between people and between people and place.

Growing Together

This is more than a coincidence—it’s a convergence. As climate change and biodiversity loss threaten life across the planet, citizen-powered solutions are emerging everywhere.

We’re proud to walk this path with French allies like Humanité et Biodiversité, reminding us that hope is a practice—and that every native plant, pollinator, and backyard frog call is part of something bigger.