Rod Bird’s Wetlands and Waterbirds Fund – helping to grow the NGT Foundation
In a tremendous boost for the long-term future of Nature Glenelg Trust, it is wonderful to be able to share the news that Dr Rod Bird, a highly respected scientist and member of the Hamilton Field Naturalists Club, has decided to establish a Named Fund within the NGT Foundation – Nature Glenelg Trust’s perpetual endowment fund.
All contributions into the NGT Foundation are tax-deductible at the time of donation, and in the future, when the preserved capital balance of the Foundation as a whole has grown to a sufficient level, the investment earnings will be judiciously used by NGT to support our work, including the effective management of the growing number of NGT Reserves.
Rod, who has been an important member of NGT’s volunteer community almost since NGT began, and a major advocate for wetland restoration, has kindly written the short message below to introduce his Named Fund and share his motivations for setting it up.
Rod Bird’s Wetlands and Waterbirds Fund
“My contribution to NGT until now has been limited; some assistance sandbagging artificial wetland outlets, waterbird surveys on wetlands such as Brady Swamp, Walker Swamp and Green Swamp, and moral support and encouragement for the NGT program of wetland restitution in the SW region of Victoria. My objective now is simply to contribute to the financial stability and capability of NGT, so that it’s significant conservation achievements can be increased and sustained in the years to come.
I have long agitated for the restitution of prime wetlands that have been drained as a result of agriculture – some 78% of shallow freshwater meadows and 66% of deep freshwater marshes in Western Victoria have been ‘lost’, with consequent loss to migratory waders and other wetland birds. It is perhaps the most important environmental issue and something that can be fixed or at least improved. We have been heartened by the success NGT has had, collaborating with GHCMA and other bodies, to achieve significant gains in the 13 years of work in the Hamilton region.
I support four environmental organisations (Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Bush Heritage Australia, Trust For Nature and Nature Glenelg Trust) in Australia that deliver positive conservation outcomes. Government departments have shown that, alone, they cannot deliver effective environmental gains. The major political parties appear disinterested in our environmental crises that include the impending loss of many species, so private citizens must step in to help non-government conservation organisations with this work.
I decided to make substantial contributions to NGT and the other organisations whilst I am alive and able to enjoy my involvement with these worthy bodies. That time is now!
The resources in the NGT Foundation fund will be critical in years to come for sustaining the works and management on NGT Reserves over time – something that rarely happens with one-off projects funded by government.
I encourage other like-minded citizens to contribute to the acquisition of key drained wetlands that can be rehabilitated, and support the committed staff and environmental programs of Nature Glenelg Trust by contributing to the NGT Foundation.“
Rod Bird, December 2024
Patrick Rodney Bird, PhD, OAM
Hamilton, Victoria
Publicly announced NGT Foundation Named Funds as at December 2024:
OneFortyOne Fund (learn more)
James Darling AM & Lesley Forwood Fund (learn more)
Moore Family Fund (learn more) (associated with the gifted NGT Reserve – Kurrawonga)
Vegetation Link Fund (learn more)
The Arrawatta Fund (learn more)
Ryan James Robertson Memorial Fund (learn more)
Baird-McLean Antigone Fund (learn more) (associated with the NGT Reserve – Green Swamp)
Casuarina Conservancy Fund (learn more)
The Alan Steele Foundation Fund (learn more)
Rod Bird’s Wetlands and Waterbirds Fund
