Australasian organizations involved in wildlife conservation range from species-focused charities and wildlife rescue services to land trusts, citizen-science networks, and regional public bodies. This curated directory compares 12 organizations working in Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, and the Pacific so you can understand what each one does and choose a practical way to help.
The geographic meaning of Australasia varies by context. It always includes Australia and New Zealand, while broader definitions also include New Guinea, Melanesia, or neighboring Pacific islands. This guide uses that broader conservation-focused scope.
Key takeaways:
- Choose the Australian Koala Foundation or Save the Kiwi for species-focused conservation.
- Choose Australian Wildlife Conservancy or Bush Heritage Australia for large-scale habitat protection and restoration.
- Choose WIRES or Project Jonah for trained wildlife rescue and response.
- Choose BirdLife Australia, Whakatāne Kiwi Trust, or Predator Free New Zealand Trust for community participation and citizen action.
- Use SPREP and PIRT to understand Pacific-wide conservation policy, cooperation, and regional partnerships.
Organization names, programs, and official links were last verified on July 27, 2026. This is a curated starting point, not a ranking or an exhaustive directory.
What are Australasian organizations?
In this context, Australasian organizations are charities, nonprofit groups, community trusts, networks, and public institutions that protect native wildlife and habitats across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific. Their work may include scientific research, habitat protection, predator control, wildlife rehabilitation, environmental education, advocacy, or regional policy coordination.
The need is substantial. Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water reports that more than 1,700 Australian species and ecological communities are known to be threatened and at risk of extinction. Major pressures include habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive species, altered fire regimes, and climate change. In New Zealand, the Department of Conservation identifies introduced predators, habitat modification, and vehicle strikes among the threats facing kiwi.
No single organization addresses every pressure. A wildlife rescue service solves a different problem from a land-conservation trust, a species-recovery program, or an intergovernmental agency. Understanding those differences is more useful than treating every group as interchangeable. For additional context, see what wildlife conservation aims to achieve and how conservation status differs among endangered and threatened species.
12 Australasian conservation organizations at a glance
| Organization | Region | Primary work | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Koala Foundation | Australia | Koala habitat research, mapping, education, and advocacy | Species-focused support |
| Australian Wildlife Conservancy | Australia | Science-led wildlife and landscape management | Large-scale field conservation |
| Bush Heritage Australia | Australia | Land protection, restoration, and conservation partnerships | Habitat and ecosystem recovery |
| BirdLife Australia | Australia | Bird science, citizen science, habitat programs, and advocacy | Birdwatchers and data contributors |
| WIRES | Australia | Wildlife rescue, rehabilitation support, advice, and training | Emergency wildlife response |
| Save the Kiwi | New Zealand | Kiwi recovery, predator control, breeding, and repopulation | Kiwi-specific conservation |
| Whakatāne Kiwi Trust | New Zealand | Local predator control, kiwi monitoring, education, and advocacy | Community-led conservation |
| Forest & Bird | New Zealand | Advocacy and restoration across land, freshwater, oceans, and climate | Broad national conservation |
| Predator Free New Zealand Trust | New Zealand | Resources and support for community predator control | Backyard and neighborhood action |
| Project Jonah | New Zealand | Marine mammal stranding response, training, and education | Marine mammal rescue |
| SPREP | Pacific region | Regional environmental cooperation and technical support | Policy, programs, and coordination |
| PIRT | Pacific region | Conservation coalition building and regional strategy coordination | Partnerships and networks |
Wildlife conservation organizations in Australia
Australian Koala Foundation
Formed in 1986, the Australian Koala Foundation focuses on the long-term conservation of wild koalas and their habitat. Its documented work includes habitat mapping, research, public education, and advocacy for stronger legal protection.
This is a good fit for supporters who want a species-specific organization centered on habitat evidence and policy. People seeking emergency help for an injured animal should contact an appropriate trained wildlife responder.
Australian Wildlife Conservancy
Australian Wildlife Conservancy works to conserve Australian animal species and their habitats through science-led field management. Its model includes landscape restoration, ecological monitoring, feral-predator control, and the re-establishment of threatened wildlife populations.
This organization is best suited to donors interested in practical conservation across large landscapes rather than one flagship species. When assessing its work, review the current impact reports and the methods used at each sanctuary or partnership site.
Bush Heritage Australia
Bush Heritage Australia protects and restores ecologically important landscapes through reserves and conservation partnerships. Its work combines land management, ecological restoration, and collaboration with Traditional Owners and other landholders.
It is a strong option for people who want to support whole ecosystems, long-term land stewardship, and habitat connectivity. This model can benefit many species at once, although results often require sustained management over many years.
BirdLife Australia
BirdLife Australia uses science, monitoring, habitat programs, and advocacy to protect native birds. Its Birdata platform brings together records from researchers and citizen scientists, allowing volunteers to contribute observations that support conservation planning.
This is a practical choice for birdwatchers, citizen scientists, and supporters interested in evidence-based bird conservation. Participation may involve surveys, local groups, habitat projects, public campaigns, or financial support.
WIRES
WIRES, the Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service, has rescued and cared for sick, injured, and orphaned native animals since 1985. It operates a 24-hour wildlife rescue office, trains volunteers, and supports wildlife rescue and rehabilitation projects across Australia.
Choose WIRES when your priority is rescue capacity, rehabilitation, emergency advice, or trained volunteer response. Do not attempt to capture or treat a wild animal without guidance; frightened or injured wildlife can harm itself or the person trying to help.
Conservation organizations in Aotearoa New Zealand
Save the Kiwi
Save the Kiwi leads and supports national work to reverse the decline of New Zealand’s kiwi. It collaborates with iwi, communities, conservation groups, and the Department of Conservation on predator control, kiwi-safe habitat, public awareness, breeding, and repopulation.
The organization began in 1991 as the BNZ Kiwi Recovery programme, became the BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust in 2002, adopted the name Kiwis for kiwi in 2012, and returned to Save the Kiwi in 2021. It is a strong fit for supporters who want a national, species-focused program covering kiwi such as the brown kiwi, rowi, tokoeka, little spotted kiwi, and great spotted kiwi.
Whakatāne Kiwi Trust
Whakatāne Kiwi Trust is a place-based organization protecting kiwi and other indigenous species in the Whakatāne area. Volunteers and partners contribute to predator trapping, kiwi monitoring, education, public events, advocacy, fundraising, and relevant research.
The Trust reports that eight North Island brown kiwi found in the Ōhope Scenic Reserve in 1999 became the foundation of a local recovery effort, with the wider Whakatāne population growing to more than 300. This makes the Trust a useful example of long-term, community-led conservation tied to a defined landscape.
Forest & Bird
Forest & Bird is an independent conservation organization working across land, freshwater, oceans, and climate in Aotearoa New Zealand. Its activities include public advocacy, conservation campaigns, restoration, education, and local participation through branches and projects.
It is a strong fit for people who want to support broad environmental policy and ecosystem protection rather than a single animal. Prospective members or donors should review its current campaigns to confirm that its priorities match their own.
Predator Free New Zealand Trust
Established in 2013, the Predator Free New Zealand Trust connects and supports community groups, iwi, families, landowners, and individuals involved in predator control. It provides practical guidance, equipment information, mapping, research, funding programs, and advocacy.
This is one of the most accessible options for residents who want to take action at backyard or neighborhood scale. Predator control still requires humane methods, appropriate equipment, local rules, and current best-practice guidance.
Project Jonah
Project Jonah provides first aid to stranded or injured marine mammals through a nationwide network of trained Marine Mammal Medics. It also delivers public education and training intended to improve stranding response and marine mammal protection.
This organization is a good fit for people interested in whales, dolphins, and marine rescue. Anyone who encounters a stranding should report it promptly and follow official instructions rather than entering the water or moving an animal without trained supervision.
Pacific regional conservation organizations
The following bodies operate differently from local charities. They coordinate governments, conservation organizations, funders, technical experts, and communities across multiple Pacific countries and territories.
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, commonly called SPREP, is an intergovernmental regional organization established by Pacific governments and administrations. Founded in its current form in 1993 and headquartered in Apia, Samoa, it supports cooperation on biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, waste and pollution, environmental governance, and climate information.
SPREP is most relevant to readers researching regional policy, technical programs, government cooperation, or Pacific environmental data. It is not the same type of entity as a public-facing wildlife rescue charity.
Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation
The Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation, or PIRT, is a coalition of conservation and development organizations, governments, intergovernmental agencies, donors, and community groups. It was established in 1998 at the request of Pacific island countries and territories.
PIRT helps align regional priorities, partnerships, and conservation strategies. It belongs in this directory because coordination affects what happens on the ground, but it should not be evaluated as though it were a single-species charity or local volunteer group.
How to choose a conservation organization to support
- Match the organization to the outcome you care about. Decide whether your priority is wildlife rescue, habitat protection, species recovery, scientific monitoring, community action, advocacy, or regional coordination.
- Verify its legal status. Search the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Charity Register or the New Zealand Charities Register. Then review the organization’s current annual report, governance, programs, financial disclosures, and measurable outcomes. Regional bodies such as SPREP and PIRT have different governance structures and should be assessed accordingly.
- Read current reports. Look for recent annual reports, audited financial statements, governance information, program updates, and explanations of how results are measured.
- Examine how the work is delivered. Strong programs explain their methods, partners, safeguards, time horizons, and limitations. For place-based projects, look for credible relationships with local communities, iwi, Traditional Owners, landholders, or public agencies.
- Choose the right form of support. A recurring donation may help long-term planning, while volunteering, citizen science, fundraising, membership, or advocacy may be more useful when those options match your skills and location.
Be cautious when an organization relies on pressure tactics, makes sweeping claims without current evidence, provides no clear governance or financial information, or encourages untrained contact with wild animals.
Ways to help beyond donating
- Report injured, orphaned, or stranded wildlife to the appropriate trained rescue service.
- Complete required training before joining wildlife handling, trapping, monitoring, or rehabilitation work.
- Contribute observations through established citizen-science programs such as bird surveys or wildlife sighting platforms.
- Reduce preventable threats by controlling pets, driving carefully in wildlife areas, following biosecurity guidance, and avoiding disturbance at nests or breeding sites.
- Support habitat protection and evidence-based environmental policy in your community.
- Share accurate information from official sources rather than unverified rescue advice or wildlife content created for engagement.
For more practical ideas, review these ways to help animals facing extinction and choose one realistic action you can sustain.
Frequently asked questions
What is an Australasian conservation organization?
It is a nonprofit, charity, community group, trust, network, or public body working to protect wildlife, habitats, or ecosystems in Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, Melanesia, or the wider Pacific region.
Which organization protects koalas in Australia?
The Australian Koala Foundation is specifically focused on wild koalas and their habitat. Australian Wildlife Conservancy and Bush Heritage Australia also protect broader landscapes that support native wildlife.
Is Kiwis for kiwi still operating?
Yes. The organization adopted the name Save the Kiwi in 2021. Its work includes national kiwi recovery, predator control, breeding and repopulation, public education, and support for community-led conservation.
How can I verify an Australian or New Zealand conservation charity?
Search the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission register or New Zealand Charities Register. Then review the organization’s current annual report, governance, programs, financial disclosures, and measurable outcomes.
Can visitors volunteer with wildlife conservation organizations?
Sometimes, but eligibility, training, insurance, location, and time commitments vary. Apply only through an organization’s official volunteer program, and never handle wildlife unless a trained responder directs you.
Are SPREP and PIRT wildlife charities?
No. SPREP is an intergovernmental Pacific regional organization, while PIRT is a regional coalition and coordination network. They are included because they influence conservation policy, partnerships, and implementation across the Pacific.
Choose the conservation model that matches your goal
The most useful next step is not to support the longest list of organizations. Choose one outcome you care about, compare two or three groups working on that problem, review their current reports, and decide whether your time, data, advocacy, or money can make a credible contribution.
Species-focused organizations can build deep expertise, rescue services meet urgent welfare needs, land trusts protect habitat over long time horizons, and regional bodies help coordinate policy and funding. Each model has a role, and informed support is more valuable than an impulsive donation based only on a familiar animal or logo.
See Related: 7 Environmental Organizations in Canada