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ABOUT US
Mission
Statement:
To
foster research into the biology and cultivation of Australian plants
by funding research projects, giving prizes for research, organising seminars,
publishing research findings and by any other effective means.
The Foundation achieves this mission by raising funds which are used
to provide:
Financial aspects
The Council of the Australian Flora Foundation
is both the governing body and also part of the 'workforce'. Councillors
give their time freely and also cover their own expenses to attend meetings
and carry on the business. Similarly the Scientific
Research Committee give their time assessing grant proposals freely.
Thus all the funds provided by members, sponsors or donors goes towards
achieving the Foundation's objectives. Costs for
administration and insurance (2% of total expenditure), and for promotion,
approximately 1% of total expenditure, come from
membership fees, and from contributions not specifically made
to support research. Over 95 % of total
expenditure, including 100% of funds donated specifically for research,
go to the research projects. In 2005/06 $46,925 was given in research
grants, and $520 spent on administration.The chart shows this distribution
of expenditure.
The Research Fund is central to
the Foundation's effort to provide grants for research. These
funds are raised from tax-deductible donations, bequests and income from
investments and are used solely to support research projects. The
Australian Flora Foundation gratefully acknowledges all those individuals
and organisations who make these grants possible by contributing.
Origins
The Australian Flora Foundation Inc was established as a non-profit body
in 1981. It arose mainly from the desire of members of the Australian
Plants Society and plant scientists to see more research carried out on
Australian flora. The inaugural meeting was held in Sydney in conjunction
with the International Botanical Congress at the University of Sydney.
A description of the meeting and of the objectivers of the founders can
be found in the President's
Report for 1982.
The tribute to Val Williams, the
Secretary of the Foundation from 1990 to 2004, also gives some of the
background of the Foundation.
The Foundation aims to foster research to:
- Increase community awareness of the richness and
beauty of the Australian flora through greater use of the flora in parks
and gardens.
- Conserve Australia's native flora which has been
over-cleared, and if this unique resource is to be preserved into the
future together with its dependent birds, animals and other living creatures,
scientific research is crucial.
- Reverse salination. Our native flora is likely to
play an important role in enabling Australia to reverse the alarming
rate of salination and degradation of our soils.
- Understand the factors critical to survival of our
native flora.
- Develop propagation and cultivation techniques to
restore natural stands and to save threatened
species.
- Develop horticulturally attractive forms of wildflowers
so as to make the widest range of flowering plants and shrubs available
for parks and gardens.
- Commercially cultivate selected wildflowers, especially
for international markets. Australia's export income from this trade
is already significant, at approximately $30M/year.
Members, Sponsors and Donors
Membership of the the Foundation
is open to anyone who supports its objectives. Members help with
the work of the Foundation and pay an annual membership subscription which
supports the operation of the Foundation and covers the cost of producing
and distributing newsletters.
Sponsors and Donors make possible the activities of the Australian Flora
Foundation. Through their generosity and clear sighted understanding of
the value and need for research into Australian plants, Australia's flora
has benefited and they can be proud of their important role.
How to help
- Research helps grow Australia's beautiful plants in our gardens
- Research helps us export Australia's flowers and balance our trade
- Research helps care for our unique plant life and landscapes
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