Forests nurture wellbeing
Australia’s forests are fundamental to the wellbeing of Australia’s people. Healthy forests are places where people can walk and be nurtured. Healthy forests support the air we breathe and the water we drink.
Unhealthy forests
In Australia there are many areas of unhealthy or vulnerable forests following 250 years of human action and inaction. This includes decisions to stop or restrict management of Country by First Nations people, tree clearing, intensive timber harvesting, mining, introduction of exotic species, and the failure to manage the risks and effects of climate change including catastrophic fire and drought.
Recovery requires action
Many forest areas that are unhealthy or vulnerable will not recover without active human intervention.
Who we are
The Healthy Forests Foundation is a not-for-profit company focused on restoring Australia’s natural forests to health through holistic forest management.
By working with First Nations people, their Knowledge will be applied with the best available science to identify unhealthy or vulnerable forests, develop plans and manage projects to implement the plans.
Focus areas
Authoritative information
Healthy Forests Foundation will establish and maintain a web-based, publicly accessible library of research and knowledge about forest health, management and repair.
By providing a central repository of accessible information, we facilitate collaboration between knowledge holders and those wanting to take active steps in restoring forest health.
Forest repair projects
Healthy Forests Foundation will work with First Nations people, scientists, and local communities to identify priority places that are unhealthy or vulnerable and then design and deliver projects to improve the health and resilience of these places.
Trusted partner
Healthy Forests Foundation will become a trusted partner for researchers, knowledge holders and with all levels of government. Through these partnerships we will provide a test bed for researchers working on finding solutions to restore forest health.
We will also seek to engage constructively with all levels of government, providing a moderate, constructive partner in the development of policy related to forest health.
Resurgent Indigenous conservation
Resurgent Indigenous conservation represents a growing movement that seeks to honour Indigenous knowledge and values, empower Indigenous communities as stewards of their ancestral lands, and promote conservation approaches that are inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.
The Healthy Forests Foundation is committed to resurgent Indigenous conservation and we recognise the deep connection between First Nations people and their ancestral lands, as well as their traditional stewardship practices that have sustained ecosystems for generations.
Team
Monique Dawson
CEO & Managing Director
LLB, Grad Dip Leg Prac (QUT)
FIPAA (Vic), MAICD
Monique has 20 years’ experience working at the highest levels of the public service in Queensland, New Zealand and Victoria. She has led large corporate, policy and program delivery functions in many areas including forestry, Indigenous cultural heritage, education, placemaking and industry development.
Monique’s experience in forestry policy, including 5 years as Chief Executive of VicForests, has persuaded her Australia needs to fundamentally shift its understanding of what a “healthy” forest is – and move away from the negative, unproductive debates by listening to, and working with our First Nations people in actively caring for our forests.
Deb Kerr
Sponsorships & Grants Leader
BMgmt (USyd)
Deb has over 20 years’ experience, including in senior executive management, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in government relations, advocacy, policy development, issues and stakeholder management and corporate communications to this role in the establishment of a new e-NGO focused on delivering real on-ground healthy forests.
Deb has tertiary qualification in management, many years’ experience in representative roles in government and non-government and is a qualified company director.
Brenda McDermott
Aboriginal Cultural Advisor & Director of Education
MSW(Qualifying) (Monash), EMPA (ANZSOG) (UniMelb), MEd (Monash)
Brenda is a Palawa woman with many years of experience working with First Nations communities across Australia in economic development, justice and health programs.
Brenda holds strong cultural values that align with the care and healing of Country. Her motivation to work with the Healthy Forests Foundation is founded on valuing and bringing First Nations perspectives to the restoration and sustainability of our biodiverse forests for future generations.
Brooke Garas
Communications & Information Leader
BSc(Biol) (LTU), Mcomm & MediaST (Monash)
Brooke is an experienced communications professional experience working in government, research, industry and university sectors including the CSIRO. In addition to her degrees in biology and communications, she has also recently completed the Accounting for Nature® Environmental Accounting Course. This unique combination of qualifications and breadth of experience enables her to deliver complex messages to a wide variety of audiences.
Brooke is passionate about communicating great science to improve public knowledge, especially when this leads to improved environmental outcomes.
Tanya Britton
Project Coordinator Eastern Victoria & Safety Officer
Dip. N. R. Mgt.
Tanya specialises in holistic forest management including, bringing a comprehensive skill set aimed at preserving and enhancing natural ecosystems and protecting threatened species. She has also recently completed the Accounting for Nature® Environmental Accounting Course.
Her motivation is driven through collaborating with First Nations people, who bring thousands of years of experience as key experts.
With over 20 years’ experience in various aspects of forest management, including fire management within government roles, Tanya has a deep understanding of ecological principles. In recent years, her focus has been on forest restoration and health.
Tanya is passionate about fostering unity among people to sustainably respect and use our forests for future generations.
Get involved
Membership
Who can be a member?
- First Nations representative organisations
- Scientists or researchers who are committed to scientific inquiry regarding the management, maintenance and repair of forested ecosystems
- Foundation investors
While the Board has the ultimate discretion to approve members, we’ll be thrilled to receive requests from any First Nations organisation or scientist or researcher who is interested in what we are trying to achieve – and committed to Indigenous led conservation.
Benefit
Members will shape the work of the Foundation by proposing and endorsing projects as well as voting on policies and priorities at general meetings.
Cost
We have no current intention to charge a membership fee (other than Foundation investment for Founder members). The only financial commitment is the commitment to contribute $10 to the Foundation in the event if it is wound up.
Volunteers
Help we would love!
During start-up we are looking for people who can help us to identify forested places in need of active management as well as people who are interested in being involved in the design and delivery of projects to improve forest health and resilience.
We’re also looking for people to help to connect us to like-minded organisations and businesses as we grow our network.
And really – we’d just love people who are interested in our work to sign up so we have people to brag to!
Advisors
We are small but have big plans! We’re keen to hear from any people or businesses who can provide us with pro-bono or in-kind support as we deliver our activities. This includes technical support, surveying, field works, networking – well – just about everything really!
Partners
We are keen to network with organisations doing similar work – and hope to collaborate with like-minded businesses and NGOs as a core aspect of the way we will operate.
We will also be keen to hear from any business, organisation or person who would be interested in investing in our projects.
