The NAB Foundation has awarded grants to two conservation groups, Odonata Foundation and Bush Heritage Australia, in recognition of World Nature Conservation Day 2025. Each organization will receive $90,000 to support projects aimed at protecting Australia's wildlife and ecosystems.
Odonata Foundation is an environmental charity based in Victoria that operates across Victoria, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, and Western Australia. Its 'We Save Species Recovery Model' works with landholders and organizations to strengthen populations of threatened species such as the eastern quoll, mainland eastern barred bandicoot, and southern brush-tailed rock wallaby. The funding from the NAB Foundation will allow Odonata to expand this model across more sites and provide continued support for nine core species included in its program.
Bush Heritage Australia is a national non-profit focused on biodiversity conservation through land management and partnerships with Traditional Custodians and other landholders. With over three decades of experience, Bush Heritage will use the grant for a new 600-hectare restoration project in southwest Western Australia. This project includes biodiversity mapping, cultural heritage surveys, and development approvals.
Jessica Forrest, NAB Executive for Sustainability, commented on the bank’s involvement: “We’re proud to support organisations making a real difference on the ground. These grants are about backing practical efforts that strengthen Australia’s biodiversity and natural environment,” Ms Forrest said.
Ahead of the announcement, 20 staff members from NAB volunteered at Odonata’s Mount Rothwell Conservation Centre in Little River. Their activities included collapsing rabbit holes—identified as a significant threat to the reserve—and observing Odonata's conservation work firsthand. Plans are being made for another team visit to Bush Heritage later this year as part of ongoing support for environmental initiatives.
The latest round of funding is part of the NAB Foundation’s broader commitment to social and environmental progress. In fiscal year 2025 (FY25), the foundation distributed $6.3 million in grants targeting climate resilience, First Nations economic empowerment, and housing affordability.