Author: Audrey Barucchi

At People For Nature, we are committed to playing an active role in supporting the goals set out in Australia’s Strategy for Nature 2024–2030. This comprehensive framework outlines critical objectives for halting biodiversity loss and improving the health and resilience of ecosystems across the country. As we work toward these goals, we are proud to contribute to the collective effort to safeguard Australia’s unique natural heritage.

Australia boasts some of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems, but these landscapes and species are under threat from habitat loss, climate change, and pollution. The Strategy for Nature identifies ambitious targets to address these challenges, focusing on improving ecosystem health, engaging communities, and ensuring effective management of the country’s natural resources.

At People For Nature, we align our efforts with these goals, empowering individuals and communities to take meaningful action in support of a sustainable future for both people and nature.

Supporting the Strategy’s Key Goals

The Strategy for Nature is built around several key goals, and our programs are designed to directly contribute to these targets:

1. Protecting and Restoring Ecosystems
   One of the strategy’s primary goals is to protect and restore Australia’s ecosystems. Through our citizen-led conservation initiatives, we actively contribute to this goal by encouraging local communities to engage in habitat restoration and species protection efforts. We support projects aimed at improving water quality, reducing plastic pollution, and conserving vital ecosystems, ensuring they remain healthy and resilient for future generations.

2. Engaging Communities in Conservation
   The Strategy for Nature emphasises the importance of community involvement in conservation efforts. We are working towards this goal by educating citizens and empowering them to participate in conservation and scientific monitoring activities. Our programs enable individuals to better understand nature and become active participants in protecting and regenerating their local environments, from wildlife monitoring to habitat restoration initiatives. By fostering a deeper connection to nature, we help people understand the direct link between their actions and the health of the environment.

3. Improving Biodiversity Outcomes
   Australia’s Strategy for Nature sets a clear objective to halt the decline of biodiversity and improve outcomes for species and ecosystems. Through our educational workshops and citizen science programs, we increase public awareness about the importance of biodiversity and how to take action to protect it. We provide communities with the tools to monitor wildlife, reduce threats to biodiversity, and support conservation efforts at the local level, contributing to improved biodiversity outcomes across Australia.

4. Building Resilience to Climate Change
   The strategy also highlights the need to enhance the resilience of ecosystems and communities to the impacts of climate change. We are fully aligned with this goal, promoting nature-based solutions that help communities adapt to changing environmental conditions. By engaging in conservation activities that improve ecosystem health, such as restoring native vegetation and enhancing biodiversity corridors, we are supporting the long-term resilience of Australia’s landscapes in the face of climate change.

5. Strengthening the Connection Between People and Nature
   The strategy recognises that a strong connection between people and nature is essential for long-term environmental stewardship. Our programs foster this connection by offering opportunities for people to directly engage with nature, learn about its importance, and take tangible action to protect it. Whether through participating in one of our workshops, starting a Nature Oasis, or contributing to citizen science research, we help people strengthen their bond with the natural world, enabling them to become advocates for its protection.

Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Action

While the Strategy for Nature outlines essential goals for the future of Australia’s natural environment, achieving these objectives requires action at every level. We help bridge the gap between policy and action by translating the strategy’s targets into accessible, actionable steps for communities, businesses, and people. Through our initiatives, we make these goals achievable by empowering citizens to take direct action and contribute to the broader national effort.

By connecting people with nature, we enhance their desire to care for nature, which in turn builds knowledge that can be shared to improve our care for nature and the benefits we receive from connecting with nature.

Inspiring Collective Action for a Sustainable Future

The success of the Strategy for Nature relies on collective action. By engaging communities, businesses, and individuals in conservation efforts, we are amplifying the impact of the strategy’s goals. Our role is to inspire and mobilise people to take ownership of their local environments, fostering a sense of collective responsibility that drives tangible change.

Citizen power is key to advancing the strategy’s overarching goals. We are dedicated to supporting Australians and empowering them to actively engage in conservation and sustainability efforts, ensuring that Australia’s Strategy for Nature becomes not just a policy framework, but a powerful call to action for all Australians to protect and restore the environment.

Moving Forward with Purpose

As we continue our work, we remain focused on helping to achieve the goals outlined in the Strategy for Nature. Through citizen engagement, community-based action, and collaboration, we are making a meaningful contribution to the health and resilience of Australia’s ecosystems. Our programs inspire and equip Australians to confidently champion meaningful change, cultivating a shared awakening to the urgency of the greatest humanitarian cause of our time: building a sustainable future for both people and nature.

Empowering Change Through a Shared Purpose and the Strength of People Power

At People For Nature, we believe that true change starts with people. Our goal is simple: to reconnect people with nature and empower them to take action for a healthier, more sustainable world. But how did we get here, and why does this matter so much? Let’s take you through the journey behind our organisation.

The Genesis of People For Nature

The story of People For Nature began with a shared vision—one that brought together a diverse group of individuals who were passionate about the planet and its future. With unique experiences and backgrounds, they all share a deep-rooted commitment to conservation, sustainability, and education.

Audrey Barucchi | Chief Executive Officer

Audrey’s journey to creating People For Nature began after years in the corporate world. Despite a successful career in sustainability, she became disillusioned with the traditional approaches of both the non-profit sector and for-profit technosolutionism. She realised that relying on linear, tech-based solutions wasn’t the answer. While we have plenty of solutions, most people don’t grasp the full, interconnected nature of the crisis. Sustainability, she often says, isn’t just about reshaping the narrative—it’s about a revolution in how we connect with the natural world and each other. Concerned about the future for her two children, Audrey felt compelled to act, believing real change would come from engaging people in a systemic, inclusive, and actionable way.

Dr Fanny De Busserolles | Chief Program Officer

Fanny’s path to founding People For Nature began with a career in academia as a marine neuroecologist, studying how marine fishes perceive and interact with their environments. Her research has taken her from vibrant coral reefs to the mysterious depths of the deep sea, making significant contributions to marine biology, sensory ecology, and environmental science. While her academic work has deepened her appreciation for the ocean’s wonders, it has also exposed her to the harsh realities of human impact on marine ecosystems and reinforced her personal determination to protect the planet. Inspired by these experiences, in 2022 Fanny transitioned from research to conservation and community engagement, driven by the belief that education and grassroots action are key to creating meaningful environmental change.

Olivia Woosnam | Non-Executive Director

Olivia has been a Certified Environmental Practitioner for 10 years. Her journey to establishing People For Nature has been a long time coming. As much as she enjoyed her early career 20 years ago at the United Nations Environment Program shaping global environmental policies, she quickly felt the need for “less talk, more action”. With that in mind, she moved to Australia in 2007 to specialise in applied Koala research for conservation. She rapidly realised the species was slipping away fast and that given the sheer size of the challenge, the Koala urgently needed serious “people power”. For the last 10 years, she optimised non-invasive Koala genetic sampling tools to bring the technology to the public ASAP. She has already secured some Koala populations, however, many more are in danger of being lost. With the clock ticking, it is time to take this community-led Koala conservation research to scale: People For Nature will continue the mission, and take it to as many local communities we can across Eastern Australia to secure the iconic species.

Mylene Turban | Non-Executive Director

Mylène graduated with a Master’s in chemical engineering and worked across the solar and water treatment industry for two years before switching to climate consulting. After learning the intricacies, but also the limits of carbon accounting to drive positive change, she shifted gears to join the University of New South Wales as a Manager for sustainability engagement. With a special interest in public education and regeneration, Mylène co-led Climate Fresk Australia and is a Director at Regen Sydney to implement the doughnut economics model in Sydney.

“I thrive when I work and collaborate with teams of passionate people toward a common mission and mine is to stop the ecological crisis and build a regenerative society.”

Germain Briand | Non-Executive Director

Germain is on a mission to reconnect people with nature by creating places and experiences with innovative and nature inspired solutions. As a Board Member of People for Nature, he brings his entrepreneurial expertise and passion for nature-based solutions to help drive our organisation’s vision. After a 12-year career in the petroleum industry, Germain took a bold turn, launching Urban Canopee—a venture that introduces living shade structures to urban environments, where planting trees isn’t feasible. This pioneering work brought the concept of Nature-Based Placemaking to Australia, transforming urban landscapes into greener, more sustainable spaces.

Today he heads up the Bio… Group. Bio… still works with Urban Canopee but also with Aglae, a innovation turning living plants into luminescent beauties for magical events, Glowee, a world leading bioluminescence venture lighting cities with living light, Luminokrom, an electricity free luminescent paint and Gunter’s Fables, a series of educational books designed to awaken the nature-inspired entrepreneur in every kid. His journey reflects a deep belief in the power of self-development and aligning personal values with impactful action. He thrives in the intersection of environment, art, science, and business, believing that true innovation and societal change emerge from challenging the status quo and embracing transformation. Germain’s work is guided by his belief in nature’s wisdom, the importance of reconnecting humanity with the environment, and the transformative power of business to create environmental, economic and societal change at scale.

Each of them brought valuable insights into how people could be empowered to take action—whether through education, community-building, or hands-on conservation efforts.

That’s how People For Nature was born — a charity dedicated to giving everyday people the opportunity to be active participants in nature conservation, not just passive recipients of information or solutions. People For Nature aims to empower individuals to understand the complexities of environmental challenges and offer them the tools and knowledge to become catalysts for lasting change in their local communities.

The Power of People

At People For Nature, we believe that everyone has the power to make a difference. Our approach is simple yet transformative: we engage people from all walks of life to become “citizen scientists” and conservation advocates. By making complex environmental issues accessible and actionable, we hope to inspire a generation of individuals who not only understand the importance of biodiversity and climate action but also feel compelled to get involved.

We do this through a variety of initiatives, including workshops, educational programs, and community events that highlight the importance of protecting our natural world. We also aim to build a national community of 100,000 citizen conservationists by 2030—a movement that will help drive meaningful change for our environment.

Our Purpose and Vision

The overarching goal of People For Nature is to educate and inspire.

Through our programs, we aim to reach people of all ages, backgrounds, and locations, helping them understand the science behind climate change and biodiversity loss while offering tangible ways to make a difference. By building a community of informed and motivated individuals, we believe we can collectively tackle the urgent environmental challenges facing our planet.

Our goal is to empower individuals to take action—whether it’s through participating in citizen science projects, supporting nature-based solutions, or simply sharing knowledge with others. We are not just focused on the facts; we are focused on creating positive, actionable change that will have a lasting impact on the world for generations to come.

Registered as an Australian Charity, People For Nature is supported by a dedicated Board, each with unique expertise and a shared passion for the mission.

To find out more: www.blog.peoplefornature.org.au/about-us

Looking to the Future

As People For Nature grows, our vision expands. We are committed to being a catalyst for change, fostering partnerships, and supporting a movement that puts people at the center of environmental solutions. Whether it’s through grassroots initiatives, corporate collaborations, or community-led projects, we are building a network of individuals who are passionate about making a difference.

In the end, our story is the story of people wanting to see change—a change that comes from collective action, shared knowledge, and a deep respect for the natural world. Together, we are not just dreaming of a better future; we are actively shaping it.

Join us on this journey. Let’s make our world a greener, more sustainable place—for our children, and theirs.