ABOUT US
Our Purpose 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-Led, Conservation Land Trust
Previously in Australia, land conservation was either the domain of the government, large organisations, or wealthy individuals.
But the concept of an LGA-focused, community-led conservation land-trust changes all of that.
Our model is:
Replicable, providing a template structure and framework to empower other communities around Australia to protect and manage their environment
Adaptable, to function on a case-by-case, property-by-property basis, allowing for greater flexibility in our approach than national organisations can afford.
Durable, diligently designed by legal and non-profit experts to ensure direct and long-term impacts through the permanent protection of land.
A Collective Benefit
At WPCV, we address global problems locally. By protecting our ecologically significant areas in perpetuity and managing them as commons, we preserve:
Biodiversity and ecological integrity
Cultural, educational, health and recreational values
Community well being and resilience
And that's not all...
We are building an intergenerational legacy benefiting our community by:
Preserving the ecosystem services we depend on
Creating ongoing job and volunteering opportunities
Providing individuals and local businesses with a tangible opportunity to support their local environment
Advancing education relating to our local environment
Who we Are
Executive Committee
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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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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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Camille Ostrowsky
Committee Member
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 live performance, events and film. -
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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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.
Science & Ecology Committee
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Daniel McCawley
Committee Member
Daniel is an ecologist and experienced bush regenerator in the Clarence Valley and works both for Clarence Landcare as well as the Clarence Valley Council.
Daniel’s knowledge of the flora and fauna of the Clarence Valley makes him a critical member of the team.
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Gary Clark
Gary has a scientific degree and has been teaching Conservation and Ecosystem Management at TAFE Trenayr since 2014. Gary is also involved in Grafton Landcare and volunteers on Susan Island in rainforest restoration.
Since moving to the Valley in 2000 after working in Far North Queensland for TAFE in the Aboriginal Ranger Training program on Cape York and the Gulf of Carpentaria and as a Community Development Officer at Aurukun, setting up a land-management agency and arts centre.
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Jenny Sherratt
Jenny worked as an environmental scientist with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water for nearly 30 years.
She has a science degree and Masters in Wildlife Management and is a committee member on Clarence Valley Council’s Environment and Sustainability Advisory Committee. She has also spent many years volunteering her time with Landcare and citizen science projects. -
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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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.
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.