Caring for the Environment
Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation Annual Report 2021
Co-Exist Australia
Overview of Year Five
“We are more likely to conserve our country and avoid polluting it if the majority of voters are animal lovers or gardeners.”
Sir Vincent Fairfax, Opening of the Penrith Show, 13 February 1970
In the Caring for the Environment focus area we seek to support organisations that create real and lasting impact on young people’s lives through supporting them to participate in and lead environmental projects.
Through the work of our grant partners, we have witnessed how confidence grows and wellbeing improves when young people get hands-on experience and are supported to take real, achievable action to care for the environment. Eco-anxiety amongst young people is driven by feelings of powerlessness and disconnection from actions they can take to protect nature. Programs that connect young people to the natural world and empower them to take action are beneficial to both the young people involved and the environment.
This year we welcomed Blue Minds Youth Ocean Leadership to the portfolio, an organisation whose theory of change is all about building young people’s knowledge, confidence, and leadership so they can turn their concerns into practical action. The model is centred on ensuring relatable and inspiring role models deliver the program in spaces where young people are – at schools, surf clubs, and in their communities. Through workshops, the Blue Minds Academy, and the Wavechanger online platform, the organisation equips participants with the skills and support to lead local initiatives and inspire their peers. The result is a growing network of young Australians driving tangible environmental change.
Blue Minds Youth Ocean Leadership joins our continuing partners advancing youth-driven approaches to environmental challenges and supporting young people to gain new environmental knowledge, skills, and networks.
Grants Snapshot
$1.5m
approved
3
grants
13%
of total funding
32%
for core funding
54%
to regional areas
Grants
2026
Bush Heritage(opens in new tab) – $310,000 over two years (opens in new tab)
To consolidate and build on the strong foundations and success of the Seeding the Future program during a critical transition period and continue supporting young people to care for the environment.
Blue Minds Youth Ocean Leadership(opens in new tab) – $700,000 over two years (opens in new tab)
To expand the Blue Minds Youth Ocean Leadership’s offering, comprising in-person workshops delivered to young people, community film screenings, and the development of the Wavechangers online platform, including the delivery of the Blue Minds Academy.
Co-Exist Australia(opens in new tab) – $525,000 over three years (opens in new tab)
To support the organisation as it enters its next phase of development, shifting the focus from growth to depth.
Ongoing
Co-Exist Australia(opens in new tab) $247,000 distribution ($537,000)
To support for Co-Exist's transition to a staff-led operation.
Taronga Conservation Society Australia(opens in new tab) $310,000 distribution ($930,000) (opens in new tab)
To support the expansion of the Youth at the Zoo (YATZ) program at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo.
Earthwatch(opens in new tab) $85,000 distribution ($620,000) (opens in new tab)
To support the Student Challenge Program in Queensland.
Grow the Future(opens in new tab) – $400,000 over two years
To support Grow the Future in a transition period as the organisation establishes itself as an independent entity.
WWF-Australia
$384,000 total
Innovate to Regenerate program with a focus on solutions that benefit young people
Meet Olivia
Youth at the Zoo (YATZ)
Based at Taronga Western Plans Zoo in Dubbo, Youth at the Zoo (YATZ) is a hands-on volunteer program giving teens the opportunity to learn about the Zoo and conservation, develop skills for the future, and become part of a community working to create a better future for wildlife and people.
Through five years of Backing Young People, we have seen the impact that programs encompassing connection building and personal development opportunities, alongside positive mentoring, can have on a young person's life. The story of YATZ participant, Olivia, is an example of this.
“Olivia had a lot going on when we first met her and was starting to disengage with her schooling”, explains YATZ Program Manager, Phil Bell.
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to witness Olivia’s remarkable personal growth and increase in confidence during her time with us, transforming from a hesitant and withdrawn participant into a confident young leader with clear aspirations for the future.”
During one of the YATZ camps, Olivia spoke about how the experiences she had gained through the program helped her identify a clear pathway for her future. She expressed that she had developed a better understanding of what she wants to pursue after school and was now actively taking the necessary steps to achieve her goals.
Olivia is now not only engaged at school, but has also taken on a student leadership role. Her commitment and hard work has been rewarded through securing early entry into university next year to study in an area she has become passionate about.
Our investment in these kinds of programs recognises that young people care about the environment and there is enormous value in providing young people with opportunities to engage in something which sparks their interest. When coupled with a supportive environment, it’s a formula that sees young people build confidence, develop skills, and realise their potential.