Environmental Justice Australia: Defending the Kuark Forest

''I am the fundraising manager at a small environmental non-profit, Environmental Justice Australia (EJA). We rely on the support of the Australian public to help defend nature and change the environmental laws that are meant to protect our forests, air and waterways.

After studying environmental governance, policy and communication at university, I found myself working in fundraising. I love connecting people with the things that they care about (and sometimes trying to convince them to care!). A couple of years ago I was offered the chance to manage the fundraising program at EJA. It is great being able to shape the fundraising program and have the ability to be agile in how we talk to our supporters, test what works (and sometimes what doesn’t) and ultimately raise the resources to support the cause: protecting nature and our natural environment!

People have such an innate connection with nature. It is wonderful being able to channel their passion and values into action.  Knowing that we can stop our forests from being logged is so empowering. The outpouring of thanks from our supporters when we win a case is definitely one of my favourite parts of fundraising.

Our crowdfunding campaign to 'Save the Kuark forest’ is all about protecting old-growth forest from logging – untouched forest that has stood for thousands of years. A couple of years ago, I went on a guided tour of a forest in the Victorian Central Highlands. Seeing the destruction wrought by logging and the impact it has on the ecology, trees and species that live there is almost beyond worlds. Anyone that has been camping, or been on a bush walk, knows how special our forests are. When you see their destruction you just feel you need to do something! For me that is working in the environment and conservation sector and trying to connect people with ways they can also do something and get involved. You don’t need to be a millionaire to make a difference – every dollar really does go a long way. The campaign to save our forests has been going on for a long time (sometimes it feels like one step forward, two steps back!), so each ‘win’ we get is really special.  It means that a part of our world is saved, not only for us, but for all the plants and animals that call them home.''

For more on this awesome cause, check out James and Environmental Justice Australia's crowdfunding below: