Here are some people and projects that have benefited from our help.

• Conservation Strategy
• Conservation Volunteers Australia
Giving Wild Futures to threatened wildlife

We have designed, and manage, the Wild Futures program for Conservation Volunteers in Australia and New Zealand.

Conservation Volunteers is one of Australasia's largest forces in practical conservation, helping many thousands of volunteers from all over the world find ways to make a personal contribution to a better world.

Wild Futures is Conservation Volunteers' way of making a practical difference to wildlife in urgent need of on-ground help. Through this program, wildlife such as Tree Kangaroos, Flatback Sea-turtles, Tasmanian Devils, Superb Parrots and numerous other animals in need, are receiving focussed care as specified in Recovery Plans of each species.Through Wild Futures, corporate partners can support the recovery of threatened species by combining financial contributions with staff volunteering in locations known to be important for threatened wildlife.
• Corangamite CMA
Biodiversity advisory services

We act as advisors to the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) by chairing the Biodiversity Operational Portfolio Group and representing biodiversity interests on the Authority's Regional Implementation Committee.

The Corangamite CMA is a statutory authority responsible for the planning and on-ground implementation of natural resource management in much of western Victoria, including the internationally significant Ramsar wetlands of the Bellarine Peninsula and Western District Lakes.

The Corangamite CMA also oversees the cross-regional assessment conservation program for the Federally listed Victorian Volcanic Plains bioregion, and we assist them in this responsibility by chairing the market-based instrument assessment process for grants funding.
• West Gippsland CMA
Protecting Corner Inlet and Nooramunga wetlands through multi-stakeholder collaboration

Conservation Enterprises Unlimited was commissioned by the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) to identify essential conservation needs of the Corner Inlet and Nooramunga catchment, to facilitate discussion and planning among the catchment community and to develop the first Strategic Directions Statement for Corner Inlet and Nooramunga Catchment.

Our processes and the products of this work have formed a model that is already being used by catchment planners in other locations.

You can download a copy of the Corner Inlet Strategic Directions Statement [2.9MB, 26 pages] from the CMA's website by clicking the WGCMA logo at right.
• Environment Protection Authority
Guiding the development of the EPA's Monitoring and Assessment program

The EPA is well known in the Victorian community as the environmental guardian of emissions and impacts. Its Monitoring and Assessment Program had grown to be disconnected from other core expertise areas of Research and Communication. More meaningful operational and process relationships between these areas were required in order to meet community and government expectations of performance, reporting and environmental protection.

Over a series of workshops in 2009, Conservation Enterprises Unlimited worked with staff including the General Manager, Research Scientists, Community Liaison Officers and Monitoring Program Managers to guide the development of intra-organisational goals and strategies. As they are implemented, these strategies will strengthen the timeliness, relevance and community perception of the agency as a peak custodian of health and the environment.

In 2010, we further assisted the EPA by guiding strategic discussions about the review and possible re-development of the Authority's Statutory Policy Framework.
• Glenelg Hopkins CMA
Safeguarding the Hopkins River through better farming practices

Following the success of our work rehabilitating the Hopkins River in partnership with Conservation Volunteers Australia, the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority approached us to deliver additional benefits to the region between the communities of Hexham and Chatsworth.

By working with farmers to plan and install stock-watering reticulation systems, we have removed the need for stock to access the river on Cobra Killuc, a large farming property north of Hexham. Additional native trees planted as part of this project will further enhance the river's biodiversity values, providing windbreaks for stock and attracting birds back to the farms.

As a result of our planning and partnerships, and the support of local farmers, the Hopkins River is now fenced, planted and stock have been excluded. Previously one of Victoria's worst condition rivers, it now faces a much brighter future after its many years of neglect.
• Hopkins River Recovery
Saving one of Victoria's most degraded rivers

A part of our Wild Carbon initiative and in partnership with Conservation Volunteers, this ongoing revitalisation project continues to restore mnay kilometres of the Hopkins River across three farms, and will ultimately connect wildlife to habitat in the Cobra Killuc wildlife reserve.

Having suffered extensive damage from cattle and sheep, fertilisers, significant soil erosion and loss of native vegetation, the Hopkins is one of Victoria's least healthy rivers. The initial project was partly funded by the Australian Government through the Mallee Catchment Management Authority and has since been supplemented by additional funds from Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority, National Australia Bank and other corporate supporters. Click the Australian Government's logo (at right) to view the initial project's micro-site in a new window.
• Commission for Environmental Cooperation
Leading conservation in action for Pacific sea turtles

The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) is an international organization created by Canada, Mexico and the United States under the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC). At the request of the CEC, Conservation Enterprises Unlimited's Executive Director Patrick O'Callaghan coordinated the development of the North American Conservation Action Plan (NACAP) for Pacific leatherback turtles.

This NACAP resulted from a trinational workshop hosted by the CEC in San Francisco, California, in March 2004. You can download the full NACAP by clicking on the PDF icon below. [7MB]
• Trust For Nature
Success planning for corporate support

Trust for Nature provides land protection, management support and monitoring, purchases and on-sells private land through its Revolving Fund and accepts donations of private land for conservation via gifts or bequests.

Conservation Enterprises Unlimited was commissioned by the Trust to provide advice on trends in relationships between commercial and environmental entities. Our analysis is being used by Trust for Nature's Directors to assist in strategic planning for the organisation's future directions.
• University of Tasmania Foundation
Designing an international fundraising strategy to save the Devils

The Australian and Tasmanian governments and the University of Tasmania are partners in the official "Save the Tasmanian Devil" program. Researchers are working to understand the transmissible cancer that threatens to push this well-loved marsupial to extinction, but funds to achieve large-scale security for disease-free animals are in urgent demand.

We worked with the University's Foundation to identify international interest in Tasmanian Devils and to secure substantial resources to be used to create large-scale insurance populations outside Tasmania.

By engaging with zoos in Australia and the USA, and drawing on the extensive network of University of Tasmania alumni in North America, we were able to deliver to the Foundation a powerful model that could act as a significant source of funds to help with the Recovery process, as well as generating heightened international awareness of the need to assist this iconic Australian animal. Our international reach allowed us to quickly develop an "instant" network of key potential participants in the Foundation's proposed conservation effort.
• Victorian National Parks Association
Planning services for a coastal future

The Victorian National Parks Association periodically conducts an extensive Nature Conservation Review to benchmark progress towards its goals and to seek input from experts in developing its next iteration of objectives.

Conservation Enterprises Unlimited was engaged by the the Victorian National Parks Association to facilitate a pivotal meeting of pre-eminent scientists, whose response to a commissioned report would steer the Association's strategies for the next 5 years.
• Parks Victoria
Environmental business planning and strategic communication

Parks Victoria manages hundreds of National Parks and other public conservation reserves in Victoria, Australia. Among these reserves are iconic parks such as WIlsons Promontory National Park, Grampians National Park and others dear to Victorians and visitors from all over the world.

In a time of climate change, government policy adjustments and the continuing pressures placed on native flora and fauna, Conservation Enterprises Unlimited was engaged by Parks Victoria to research and develop an environmental business planning process and a range of communications products to support it. These will assist the agency to focus on new economic approaches to achieving transformational outcomes for many of the State's iconic National Parks.

The agency has also engaged us to advise on specific communication issues related to landscape-scale planning and ecosystem repair in high-profile locations, including managing processes of community consultation and communications planning.
• Green Business Coaching
• AACPM 2009
American Academy of Certified Public Managers Conference

The American Academy of Certified Public Managers 2009 conference in Orlando, FL focused on leadership opportunities and challenges. We presented two workshops for attendees in partnership with Childers Consulting Group: "Leadership for Embracing Change" and "Turn 'Em On - Manage as a Coach". Participants had the opportunity to critically reflect on their leadership and coaching abilities while being challenged to engage with innovative ideas for the future.
• Down 2 Earth
Going green online

Down 2 Earth is a web-based store founded in 2009 offering "sensible gifts for earth-minded people". From re-usable bags and bottles to soy candles and baby clothes, Down 2 Earth aims to provide customers with a unique selection of gifts.

Conservation Enterprises Unlimited provided Down 2 Earth with Green Business Coaching support, including business plan feedback and expertise in areas such as social media marketing. Additionally, we helped deliver sustainability messaging throughout the customer experience through "Conscious Shopper Tidbits".
• Green Edventures
Building strategic partnerships for ecotourism

Identifying and connecting with strategic partners is an essential part of business. We are working with Green Edventures to help form and evaluate partnerships designed to leverage credibility and target new audiences while maintaining positive relationships with current clients.

Green Edventures is an innovative company running carbon-neutral programs for high school and college level students that are both educational and sustainable. Each program focuses on three 'E' values: Education, Environment and Empowerment.

Green Edventures' programs provide students with opportunities to leave a positive impact on the communities they visit, and to bring real-world experiences back to the classroom.
• Little Desert Nature Lodge
Master Planning for the future of a Little Desert icon

Combining financial, marketing, visitor experience, sustainable design and environmental management skills into one dedicated team, we are working closely in partnership with Third Ecology Architects and the Little Desert Flora and Fauna Foundation to develop a Master Plan for the Lodge, a breathtaking remnant of Wimmera bushland strategically located mid-way between Adelaide and Melbourne.

This oasis in the desert has been recently purchased by the Foundation as an education and accommodation centre. With our help in planning the site's visitor experience, sustainability personality and long-term wildlife management strategy, it will soon be positioned as one of southern Australia's "must-see" ecotourism destinations.
• Nellie's Deli
Transforming a family business into an eco-friendly trend-setter

Nellie's Deli is a family-owned and operated restaurant, deli and full-service catering business, and one of the first food service businesses in the Sarasota, FL area to consciously attract environmentally aware customers.

After 30 years as a local favorite, owners Craig and Fredda Pohl decided to green their business and gain a competitive edge, as well as providing a service to both the environment and the community. We worked through our 5-step Green Business Coaching model with Nellie's Deli to craft an Environmental Mission Statement, train staff on the Basics of Going Green, and effectively leverage their commitment to sustainability in all aspects of their business.

With help from Conservation Enterprises Unlimited in the areas of sustainability and business development, Nellie's Deli has attracted considerable local publicity - and customers. Craig and Freda's commitment to environmental and business improvement also showed the additional benefits of working with Conservation Enterprises Unlimited - Nellie's Deli was chosen as a Best Green Business winner for 2010 by Biz 941 magazine!
• NMEA 2010
Offsetting a national conference for conservation

The National Marine Educators Association's annual conference hosts approximately 400 attendees from around the world. The 2010 conference, to be hosted in Tennessee, will offer attendees the opportunity to offset a portion of their travel through Wild Carbon when they complete their registration. The Conference Committee has also committed to offsetting a portion of the conference.

The unique aspect of Wild Carbon is that the program offers attendees real-world conservation stories to take back to their classrooms and communities about carbon offsetting. Not just another program planting trees to soak up carbon, Wild Carbon uses this opportunity to fund the planting of trees that will also reconnect habitat for wildlife. The direct benefits can be seen through the eyes of cotton-top tamarins in their native forests of Colombia, and a variety of lemurs in Madagascar, as they will soon be able to roam in a much larger, secure habitat.
• Wild Carbon
Turning footprints into a thousand pawprints

Wild Carbon is a climate repair program with a wild twist: it reconnects and re-establishes native forests to give hope and homes to wildlife in need.

Conservation Enterprises Unlimited has created and operates Wild Carbon to provide a value-added alternative to traditional carbon offset products. Our Wild Carbon program will help wildlife in Australia, Colombia, Madagascar, Brazil and the USA - and give organisations an opportunity to do something truly restorative with their carbon.

• ZACC 2009
Bringing carbon expertise to wildlife planners

In 2009, the Zoos and Aquariums Committing to Conservation conference in Houston, TX, hosted 200 attendees from 27 countries. We were honored to be presenters at this conference and to facilitate discussion about using carbon offsetting as a means to reconnect habitat for endangered wildlife.

We also were able to donate 40 tonnes of carbon offsets to the silent auction in support of critical conservation efforts.
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• Communication with Purpose
• National Geographic Society
Marine Conservation Partnership

Conservation Enterprises Unlimited staff partnered with the National Geographic Society, to develop and implement a workshop for the marine recreation community around Galveston, Texas. The objectives were threefold: 1) identify this audience as important stakeholders in marine conservation efforts, 2) provide them with content knowledge, and 3) assist them in crafting effective conservation messages for the public.

Coastal science experts from universities and environmental organizations spoke on the most pressing issues in the Galveston area and how the recreation community can get involved. Participants were coached on various ways to engage their staff and customers using strategic communication. In addition, the National Geographic Society left behind grant funding that the participants could apply for to expand or create their own marine conservation initiatives.
• Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF)
Sustainable seafood for Australian restaurants

Our skills and experience in program design, communication planning and social marketing strategy are ensuring that ACF's sustainable seafood program will change patterns of seafood consumption in restaurants around Australia.

Based on the Vancouver Aquarium's successful "Ocean Wise" program, itself established by staff now with Conservation Enterprises Unlimited, the Australian Conservation Foundation's program is spreading to restaurants in Australia's food capitals.
• Australia-Korea Foundation
Sharing expertise in conservation and communication

Working in partnership with the Korea Ocean Research and Development Instutute, Conservation Enterprises Unlimited staff developed and implemented a series of workshops in Seoul, Ansan and Sogwipo, focussing on best-practice design of education and ecotourism experiences to benefit Korea's sensitive nearshore environments.
• Ocean Wise
Sustainable seafood for Canadian restaurants

The "Ocean Wise" seafood conservation program for restaurants is a major success story. Founded by Conservation Enterprises Unlimited's Patrick O'Callaghan and Tara Taylor, and the Vancouver Aquarium's John Nightingale, Ocean Wise now boasts over 100 participating restaurants across Canada and in the USA, making it one of the world's most effective retail-based seafood conservation programs.

Conservation Enterprises Unlimited is now advising the Australian Conservation Foundation on its rollout of Ocean Wise in Australia.
• Our Blue Backyard
Social media marketing for conservation

This innovative project, the brainchild of David Whitehill and Christie Lee Sharpe, is set to become to world's largest social media supported ocean expedition.

By circumnavigating Australia and delivering fresh digital content to fans all over the world, Our Blue Backyard will engage people in Australia and beyond throughout the amazing 5 month journey, set to commence in September 2010.

Conservation Enterprises Unlimited has been chosen to help Our Blue Backyard develop and refine its overarching project strategy, communication architecture and early partnership development.
• Rottnest Island Authority
Interpretation as a Management Tool

Rottnest Island is a paradise with a unique opportunity: the entire island is managed by one authority and its natural values are astounding. When the Rottnest Island Management Authority was looking for a way to influence standards of visitor behaviour, staff now with Conservation Enterprises Unlimited helped by working with a wide variety of the Authority's on-island staff, developing an agreed set of values statements, interpretive themes and visitor behaviour standards. These formed the basis of a renewed, more meaningful experience for visitors, and contributed to more consistent and appropriate visitor behaviour.
• The Ocean Project
Communicating for conservation

The Ocean Project is a large non-profit network of members, committed to finding better ways to conserve our oceans.

Conservation Enterprises Unlimited staff and colleagues designed and delivered workshops across the USA and in Canada. These "Communicating for Conservation" workshops challenged traditional approaches to education and communication, melded recent research in persuasive communication with The Ocean Project's own research findings and presented alternative models to achieve members' conservation mandates.
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• Zoo, Aquarium & Museum Services
• City & Nature Institute
Collaborating to progress cultural and environmental outcomes

The Korean City and Nature Institute conducts a range of programs in Korea with a special emphasis on the delicate marine and coastal ecosystems that support so much of the country's commerce and culture.

When the Institute was considering the development of a community-based coastal education and interpretation centre, they turned to Conservation Enterprises Unlimited's marine education and interpretation specialists to provide advice and case studies on proven physical and programmatic models.
• Marine Discovery Centre
Strategic planning

The Marine Discovery Centre has always been a pioneer in marine education and community engagement. Though well-loved by community and clients, the Marine Discovery Centre has a long history of challenges in an environment of uncertain government funding.

Conservation Enterprises Unlimited facilitated planning and prepared an operating strategy to enable the Centre to again excel in its conservation education work under a more predictable funding model.
• TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
Communities keeping Canada's waterways clean

Now attracting tens of thousands of Canadians each year, the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup started as a local beach cleanup on the shores of British Columbia.

Staff now with Conservation Enterprises Unlimited, together with other network members and the Vancouver Aquarium, grew the brand, the sponsor relationship with TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and the community participation management of this exciting annual event into one of the largest environmental projects of its type.
• Little Desert Nature Lodge
Wildlife Conservation Planning

Little Desert Nature Lodge provides memorable luxury camping experiences in a stunning bush setting, in the heart of Victoria's Little Desert.

As a leader in malleefowl research and with a collection of free-ranging and other exhibited wildlife, the Lodge required a thorough review of wildlife management procedures as it entered a new phase of property planning, including the ability to meet and exceed all wildlife permit requirements.

Working with the Lodge's Board and staff, Conservation Enterprises Unlimited developed a multi-property wildlife management and conservation plan that will guide the Little Desert Nature Lodge into its next decade of conservation work.
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We tailor our work, because every organisation requires a different fit.