Australia is seeing an increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, as demonstrated by the horrific bushfire season of 2020-21. In order to ensure the survival of our unique biodiversity, a rapid deployment of resources will be critical to meet these disasters as they emerge.
Immediate Response Disaster Recovery Fund
Providing funding for onground support following a natural disaster.
The Project
FAME’s Disaster Recovery Fund enables immediate direction of funds to teams on the ground in affected regions during times of bushfires, droughts, floods and other emergencies, for the purpose of flora, fauna and habitat restoration.
Why we need to act
When natural disasters hit Australian ecosystems, the impact can be devastating. Often, the speed with which teams on the ground can respond plays a vital role in how much of the local wildlife can be saved - whether this be direct protection, rescue and recovery, feral management or rehabilitation and revegetation.
Solution and approach
As an organisation focussed on saving Australia's biodiversity, FAME is committed to enabling those close to affected areas to perform the work required, regardless of their resources. We do this through rapid deployment of funds to allow for sanctuary and care of flora and fauna, volunteer recruitment, equipment procurement and operation, feral management and much more.
There is also a focus on the long-term, with projects which enable bush regeneration and the rewilding of habitats also supported.
The unique structure of the Foundation for Australia’s Most Endangered Species means donations are able to be quickly directed to those who need it most.
Transparent reporting of expenditure of funds will be reported regularly to our community.
Update: Floods NSW 19 March 2022
Of the funds raised so far, The Foundation has deployed $8,500 across the following two organisations.
An initial funding of $5,000 was sent to Wildcare Australia, a volunteer-driven organisation which rescues and cares for native wildlife, with the aim of releasing them back to the wild. This finance will help to support their volunteers who are receiving up to 50 animals each day. The floods have hit both food stock and availability, and soaring petrol prices are having a big impact on the driving they undertake to rescue in-need animals.
Our past project partners, ReForest Now, have received $3,500 from the Fund after their nursery was inundated by flood waters, impacting their seedlings and ruining equipment. With rainforests playing a critical role in absorbing rainfall, it is important to support work focussed on restoring these vital ecosystems, particularly in light of current events.
Update: 2020/21 Australian bushfires response
The FAME community helped us respond to the tragic bushfire season of 2020-21 through our dedicated Bushfire and Recovery Appeal. This was a multi-faceted effort which allowed for immediate rescue and recovery programs for species at risk, ongoing habitat revegetation and more.
The Foundation’s Australian bushfire response included:
Assisting Aussie Ark with the recovery of Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies affected by loss of habitat due to fires.
Support of a helicopter to view the fire scar and locate remnant patches of Kangaroo Island dunnart known habitat.
Deployment of a drone to identify feral predators and possible dunnarts on Kangaroo Island.
Financial assistance for the replacement of endangered native bee hives in New South Wales.
Replacement of equipment lost in the fires.
Funding of staff to undertake feral management in the aftermath of the fires.
Long-term revegetation of burnt areas on Kangaroo Island, and more.
Natural disaster fundraising regulations
The Foundation for Australia’s Most Endangered Species adheres to the guidelines developed by the Fundraising Institute of Australia (FIA) and the Australian Government, in collaboration with the charities sector, to establish a set of minimum conduct standards that charities may follow and expand upon to achieve best-practice fundraising and reporting during times of natural disaster.
Funding Requests
Should you require urgent funding following a natural disaster, please contact the CEO, Tracy McNamara at fame@fame.org.au or telephone on +61 8374 1744 to discuss whether we are able to assist you.
For any further information in relation to this fund, please contact the Foundation.
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