Funding For Conservation Virtual Symposium

Securing funding for conservation in the UK is challenging due to a fragmented and highly competitive funding landscape, with an over-reliance on short-term project grants and limited core funding.

Political uncertainty and shifting government priorities contribute to instability, while economic constraints like austerity, inflation, and undervaluation of natural capital reduce investment.

Smaller or regional organisations often lack the capacity or visibility to access funds. Additionally, complex application processes, slow disbursement of government support and unrealistic timeframes for project delivery further hinder effective conservation delivery.

This event will bring together conservationists to discuss how we can diversify our income streams, rather than competing with one another for the limited pots available.

Speaker Programme

The Funding For Conservation Virtual Symposium will feature 4 speakers with expertise in advising on income generation, grants and funders:

1. What’s Shaping Green Giving? Trends in environmental philanthropy and the growing fundraiser voice with Natasha Ratter (Environmental Funders Network)
2. Translating Conservation into Business Value: Tools, Trends, and Opportunities with Sage Bucher-Melcer
3. Speaker details coming soon...
4. Speaker details coming soon...

The presentations will be recorded and shared with those who booked alongside Q&A transcripts and lists of useful links via a password-protected website following the event.

What’s Shaping Green Giving? Trends in environmental philanthropy and the growing fundraiser voice

Natasha Ratter (Environmental Funders Network)

This session will explore the evolving landscape of environmental philanthropy. We’ll unpack key trends shaping how funding is flowing to environmental causes - from shifting donor priorities to the rise of new funding practices - and how these dynamics impact those working to raise vital funds for nature and climate action. We'll also hear about the work of the Green Fundraisers Forum: a peer network supporting those at the frontline of environmental fundraising. Learn how this community is amplifying the voices of fundraisers, sharing practical insights, and helping to shape a more inclusive and effective philanthropic space. Whether you're a fundraiser, funder, or simply curious about how environmental giving is changing, this session offers both strategic insight and grounded practitioner perspectives.

Natasha co-ordinates the Environmental Funders Network’s work to strengthen the effectiveness of the environmental charity sector and facilitates the 'Green Fundraiser’s Forum'. She joined EFN from the Natural History Museum where she raised funds for projects that re-connect people to nature, particularly in urban areas and spent many years before that as a front line fundraiser for a range of charities including arts and education organisations. Natasha is half British and half Ugandan, and grew up in Kampala (East Africa), so brings an international perspective to her work in the philanthropy space.

Translating Conservation into Business Value: Tools, Trends, and Opportunities

Sage Bucher-Melcer

As demand grows for measurable environmental impact, conservationists are increasingly called to engage with the private sector — but speaking the language of finance requires new strategies, tools, and framing. This session will explore how conservation data and science-based practices can be translated into business-relevant insights, from materiality assessments to investment-aligned KPIs. We’ll look at examples of nature-based solutions that have successfully aligned ecological goals with financial outcomes, and highlight emerging frameworks and reporting requirements. We'll also discuss practical tools and resources that can help conservation professionals make their work more tangible and relevant to private sector stakeholders.

Sage Bucher-Melcer is a leading expert in integrating data-driven approaches to nature-based solutions (NbS), helping investors, businesses, and governments finance and scale ecological restoration. She has led major natural capital initiatives, including designing financing strategies and MRV systems for large-scale NbS valuation projects, including the UK’s largest habitat bank and a $1.5 billion adaptation fund.

eTicket Fes

This event is unfunded and we rely on ticket fees to cover the costs of running the event. However, we did not want cost to be a barrier to attendance so we are letting you decide what you can afford to pay to attend.

1. Professional Ticket - Ticket price is £30. Ticket option for those attending in a professional capacity as part of their work or for their career professional development.

2. Non-professional Ticket - Pay what you can afford (minimum fee of £1, recommended donation £10). VAT at 20% will be added to your ticket fee at checkout.Ticket option for non-professionals such as volunteer biological recorders, conservation volunteers and amateur naturalists.

This event is delivered by the Biological Recording Company.