About us
What We do
At Wildlife Preservation Clarence Valley, our mission is to:
Protect and enhance the natural environment
Inspire education and action that safeguards it for generations to come
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We identify and acquire high conservation value properties to ensure their protection in perpetuity - strengthening wildlife corridors and biodiversity across the Clarence Valley.
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Through public programs, workshops, and research partnerships, we raise awareness and share knowledge about local ecosystems and how to protect them.
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We help people recognise strategically important parcels of land and provide the structure needed to conserve them forever.
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From community events to major campaigns, we raise the funds needed to acquire, restore, and protect local habitats. Funds raised are used specifically for conservation outcomes.
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We work hand in hand with individuals, organisations, and all levels of government who share our vision for a thriving, connected landscape.
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WPCV is building a sustainable financial model - applying for grants, sponsorships, and donations to support our work now and into the future.
A Community Land Trust
Previously in Australia, land conservation was either the domain of the government, large organisations, or wealthy individuals.
But the concept of a community land trust changes all of that.
Government organisations, like the Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT), provide legal protections (“covenants”) for millions of hectares of land, but have criteria which often exclude smaller but highly valuable parcels of land.
A Community Land Trust like Wildlife Preservation Clarence Valley can:
Acquire and protect property based on the ecological value
Steward the land according to the best scientific advice and the cultural knowledge of the local First Nations people
Engage locally with the community to educate people on the unique wildlife - and provide hands on opportunities to improve their local ecology
Acting Locally
We act on a local scale to protect and return ecosystems to the commons, ensuring they are preserved and managed for their natural values in perpetuity.
In doing this, we promote local resilience through sustainable management of our natural places, resources and the environmental processes that our communities depend on.
We cultivate a strong focus on creating and maintaining healthy and resilient bonds with our stakeholders.
Protecting and caring for Country is paramount and we place utmost importance on collaborating with Traditional Custodians, local and state government, private landholders, environmental organisations and community groups, as well as ensuring a best practice and best science approach.
Who we are
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Victor Ostrowsky
Founder, Director, President
Victor’s passion for preserving the ecosystems of the Clarence Valley led him to start Wildlife Preservation Clarence Valley.
Victor is currently pursuing a Bachelors of Environmental & Earth Systems Science at Southern Cross University. -
Barbara "Jo" Linley
Director, Vice President
Jo has been a cornerstone and pillar behind so many great movements in the Clarence Valley. Jo was a Super Fine Merino breeder in Victoria and has conservation land in the Clarence Valley.
Jo is also the founder of the “Clarence Valley Lions Club - Environmental“ and an key organiser of the Clarence River Guardians. She was the Clarence Valley Citizen of the Year in 2022.
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Dr. Kath Mackie
Director, Committee Member
Kath brings a wealth of operational and governance experience to WPCV and serves on the board of directors.
Kath is an Associate Professor with the School of Government (Public Policy and Administration) at the University of Canberra
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Daniel McCawley
Committee Member
Daniel’s knowledge of the flora and fauna of the Clarence Valley makes him a critical member of the team.
Daniel is an ecologist in the Clarence Valley and works both for Clarence Landcare as well as the Clarence Valley Council.
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Jen Oceans
Communications
Jen is a passionate conservationist, artist, eco-consultant, and nature lover. Jen has spent over 30 years working across eco-tourism, conservation, community engagement, and small business. Jen has driven comms for other amazing land conservation efforts in the Clarence Valley like the Corymbia Biodiversity Project. -
Dr. Tracy Pateman
Committee Member
Tracy’s family has a long history in the Clarence Valley. Tracy is an award winning silversmith with degrees from the University of Queensland and Australian National University in botany and forest ecology.
Tracy has been instrumental in conservation organisation like the Clarence River Guardians and the Clarence Valley Lions Club - Environmental.
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Graeme Granleese
Committee Member
Graeme’s experience as a lawyer and a cattle farmer gives Wildlife Preservation Clarence Valley a great deal of experience with structure and land management.Graeme also serves on Valley Watch and Yamba CAN.
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Camille Ostrowsky
Visuals and Social Media
Our logo and our graphics come from the creative mind of Camille.
Camille has a Masters in Fine Arts from NIDA and has worked in scenography for contemporary and unconventional theatre and live performance. -
Bryan J. Rollins
Secretary
Bryan’s background is in technology entrepreneurship. He served as a General Manager for Atlassian after being an executive at a number of successful technology startups in the US.
Bryan grew up in a river village called King Salmon, Alaska, and loves living in the Clarence Valley.
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Dr. Adrian Deville
Member
Adrian is an experienced manager in ecotourism and biodiversity conservation with a background in social and biological sciences (zoology).
Adrian is the Biodiversity Program Manager for the Corymbia Biodiversity Project. Adrian has a Doctorate in the sustainable tourism field and honors in the History and Philosophy of Science.
Our Partners
Lions Club of Clarence - Environmental
A Lions Club to highlight the importance of biodiversity in the Clarence and work toward protecting threatened species. Their mission is to:
Identify threatened Flora and Fauna in the Clarence.
Identify threats (loss of habitat, feral animals, fire, drought, weeds, vehicles, etc).
Investigate and implement appropriate strategies to contribute to the survival of threatened species in the Clarence.
Promote awareness of threatened species in the Clarence.
Maclean Landcare Group Inc.
Maclean Landcare’s mission is the rehabilitation and preservation of remnant native vegetation in the Maclean area.
They collect and store seed, as part of the Clarence Native Seed Network. They conduct workshops and give out information about native plants and invasive weeds. They propagate a range of local native species, which are for sale to the public, and are given free to local Landcare groups who are actively engaged in re-vegetation projects in the Clarence Valley.
Biodiversity
Legacy
Established in 2022, Biodiversity Legacy (BDL) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting a groundswell of individuals, communities and organisations who want to protect biodiversity and ensure the equitable transfer of land to future generations.
Biodiversity Legacy Ltd played a pivotal role in the formation and establishment of Wildlife Preservation Clarence Valley and continues to support us in many ways.