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It is good to see Birds Australia take the Gluepot
and Newhaven initiatives. I will make a Newhaven contribution and gain a
warm inner glow. But what about dramatic
action? I think John Wamsley raised $12 million in his recent public
float of Earth Sanctuaries Ltd. This would buy around 17
Newhavens.
Birds Australia might be more
adventurous than John W. Sell shares in a public float designed to raise
$20 million. Objective to get 2000 people to invest $10,000 a piece
(on average) in conservation or 20,000 people to invest $1,000. Charge fees
for access to all sites purchased and/or operate them as ecotourism sites and
give access at a discount to shareholders. Invest seriously in protection from
ferals and not just mindless public sector/greenie 'buy-it-and-leave-it,
dumb-assed philosophy'. Appoint business managers who probably will not be
bird watchers to run these operations at a profit so they can be self-sustaining
and perhaps even (eventually) pay a dividend to shareholders. Ask for
government subsidies because activities provide external benefits
to the whole community in conserving biodiversity. Think about
joint-ventures with groups such as Earth Sanctuaries. Offer equity to
people who donate land. Offer equity to farmers who pursue conservation
objectives. Offer equity to those providing labour services as wardens and
managers. Offer equity (at a price) to the Bird Observers' Club etc
etc. Market the value of nature observation, organise tours at a price,
sell threatened species to ensure their conservation, shoot ferals (and
charge for it) etc etc.
Yeah it is a fantasy but eventually it
will happen. More people need to adjust
their outlook towards the idea that the environment will be more
appreciated when we value it (in terms of the stuff that constitutes our
paypackets) at something greater than zero and that if enough people want a good
conservation outcome they can and should pay for it. I paid $26-50
for a slab of Carlton draught at Dan Murphy's today and couch-potatoed a
rainy Saturday afternoon watching old movies. Why should I be unwilling to
pay $26-50 for the glorious day I spent at Baileston earlier this week
looking at hooded robins, peregrine falcons.......?
Harry Clarke.
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