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.
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