More than a reserve? Understanding the benefits of privately protected areas

This project will generate evidence on the diverse influences that privately protected areas can have on both nature and people.

Project dates: 2024 - 2027

Biodiversity loss is accelerating faster now than at any time in human history.

While many conservation initiatives have been implemented in response to the urgency of this crisis, there are limited efforts to incorporate their diverse benefits into mainstream policy and practice, beyond meeting biodiversity targets.

This research project aims to develop a holistic approach that accounts for the social, cultural, economic, and ecological benefits of conservation for both nature and people.

Drawing upon three private protected area (PPA) case studies in Australia, the results will build a stronger evidence base on the benefits of private land conservation. These insights can be utilised by conservation organisations to better communicate their impacts and foster initiatives that reduce biodiversity loss and enhance human wellbeing.

This Linkage project is funded by the Australian Research Council.

Key people

Regenerative Environments and Climate Action

Regenerative Environments and Climate Action brings together our expertise in understanding cities as integral to environmental justice, the need for urgent climate action, improving ecological processes, and connections with more-than-human worlds.

Geographies of Land, Home and Place

Geographies of Land, Home and Place brings together our expertise in understanding the places and land systems on which we live, how we are housed and the social geographies of inclusion and belonging.

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

Learn more about our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

More than a reserve? Understanding the benefits of privately protected areas