BirdLife Australia Strategy & Operating Plan 2017-2022

Photo: Gunther Frensch

Policy Number: Date:

TableofContents1. Introduction............................................................................................................1

2. BirdLife Australia’s Strategy.........................................................................2

3. Strategic Direction..............................................................................................3

4. Bird Conservation Program...........................................................................4

Appendix A. Theory of Change................................................................................5

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1. Introduction

“You cannot fly like an eagle with the wings of a wren”

— William Henry Hudson

Despite our best efforts, Australia’s list of threatened species is growing, and the number of birds on the brink of extinction is a serious concern. This strategic plan, therefore, focuses on improving BirdLife Australia’s conservation impact by making sure all our people and resources are working together on our conservation plans and priorities. To ensure BirdLife Australia and its partners achieve the best outcome from every conservation dollar, our resources are invested carefully in programs to save the species which are most in need of protection. And because conservation in isolated pockets cannot deliver the change we need, we must work together, collaborating with the ever-expanding BirdLife Network and other like-minded partners across Australia — community groups, governments, researchers, land managers, zoos and other environment organisations. Although science underpins everything we do, we can no longer rely on simply presenting the facts to achieve positive change. Any success in bringing about change must now also include strong advocacy, communications and campaigns. We can stop extinctions by informing and mobilising the many people who support our crucial conservation work by contributing time and money. The only way we can engage and inspire more people to partner with BirdLife Australia is to ensure our communications, engagement products and channels — including our membership and fundraising products — continue to evolve.

Paul Sullivan, Chief Executive

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2. BirdLife Australia’s Strategy

1 BirdLifeAustraliamapped'howchangeoccurs'byidentifyingtheoutcomes,objectivesandactivitiesrequiredtodeliveritsvisionandinwhatorder(seeAppendixA).

Our Vision Native birds are protected, valued and enjoyed by all Australians …

Our Mission … by informing and leading action to ensure Australian birds and their habitat flourish1

Our Promise Standing together to stop extinctions

Our Goals

• Improve conservation outcomes for native birds

• Promote the appreciation and understanding of native birds and their threats

• Build a strong nature organisation to speak for native birds

Our Values

Passion We bring people together around a love of nature

Excellence Science and knowledge is at the centre of everything we do

Leadership We empower and inspire people to lead with courage and purpose

Collaboration We embrace diversity and work in partnership with mutual respect

Integrity Our success is based on experience, honesty, trust and fairness

Impact We think globally, lead nationally and act locally

This updated Strategy and five-year Operating Plan sets out an inspiring and ambitious vision to protect endangered birds and nature. It is intended as a guide for BirdLife Australia’s branches, groups, reserves and observatories and delivery partners.

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3. Strategic Direction

BirdLife Australia is a bird conservation organisation whose actions are informed by good science. We are governed by a skills-based and member-elected Board and our work is funded by a growing philanthropic community of nature- and bird lovers. We use the following series of strategic priorities and principles to design and resource our conservation programs. Strategic Priorities

These priorities guide us in allocating people and resources to our programs:

• Conservation Action Plans guide how we resource our conservation programs • Key Biodiversity Areas — we’re global leaders on their local implementation • State of Australia’s Birds guides us in managing birds and their habitats effectively • data-driven engagement expands our supporter base and mobilises support for our work • communication products and channels evolve to engage a broader audience • member and donor products focus on shaping our future and financing our conservation

programs • capacity is invested in:

a. human capital: training and developing our people b. Information Technology: systems to meet our business needs c. communities in the Pacific region2

Strategic Principles These principles underpin how BirdLife Australia implements its strategy:

• Science determines the priorities of our programs; social and political opportunities for change also play a role

• our people, resources and partners drive impact together • communications and campaigns raise our public profile • engagement deepens supporter relationships • tangible conservation outcomes inspire people to support our work • reduced operational complexity increases our capacity and reduces our costs

Lord Howe Island Key Biodiversity Area

2 BirdLife Australia is a partner in the world’s largest conservation partnership, BirdLife International, and is committed to playing a proactive role with partners in the Pacific Region.

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4. Bird Conservation Program

"Wildlife has the power to recover and people have the power to change. What happens next depends on us"

— David Attenborough

BirdLife Australia is facilitating the collaborative implementation of Conservation Action Plans (CAP) (or alternatives) for its approved programs (above). A CAP focuses our attention on threats, what needs to be done, who will do the work, how it should be delivered, and — after we’ve taken action — evaluating the results to learn from them and guide future management. Flagship species for each program (for example, the Regent Honeyeater for South-eastern Woodland Birds) represent the conservation efforts for multiple species and eco-systems. Each CAP will bring together and prioritise our advocacy, fieldwork and engagement resources. Science and research guides our bird conservation priorities and actions. BirdLife Australia inspires, trains and mentors volunteers so they can conduct structured bird surveys, which guides future management of birds and habitats. Peer-reviewed journals, conferences, student awards, publications and online tools and resources also inform and support policies and adaptive management actions for native birds.

WoodlandBirds

WABlack-Cockatoos

SEWoodland

Birds

MalleeBirds

Shorebirds

Beach-nestingBirds

MigratoryShorebirds

KBAs PreventingExtinctions

NationalPolicy

EmergencyRoom

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Appendix A. Theory of Change

BirdLife Australia recognises that the scale of threats facing our native birds and their habitat requires change to policies, laws and behaviours. We need to empower people to influence change and deliver conservation outcomes.

The ‘Theory of Change’ diagram (below) describes how a strong and united national bird conservation organisation works together to engage and empower the community to change societal norms and prevent extinctions.

policies and

behaviors changed

societyengagedandempowered

identifythreatsanddeliversolutions

strongunited

organisation

BirdLifeAustraliaStrategy

Nativebirdsandhabitatprotected

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