Conservation's Secret Weapon: The Power of Community Collaboration (With Michelle Elborn)

Written By Callum Armstrong

  • What if we could amplify the impact of community conservation efforts across an entire region?

    Michelle Elborn, CEO of Bay Conservation Alliance (BCA), shares how this innovative umbrella organisation is doing just that in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty.

    Founded by community, for community, BCA supports and grows the capability of local conservation groups. From helping with admin to facilitating funding applications and beyond, BCA enables volunteers to focus on their passion - hands-on conservation work.

    But it's not just about operational support. By uniting diverse groups, BCA creates a powerful collective voice for nature. 

    This collaborative approach is yielding impressive results, such as expanding wildlife habitats, bringing individual community efforts together for larger outcomes, and training the next generation of conservation leaders.

  • Here are some of the key topics we discussed:

    • The origin story of Bay Conservation Alliance and its mission to empower community initiatives.

    • The power of collective action in conservation and BCA’s role in amplifying and uniting local efforts.

    • Why community identity matters and how BCA balances individual group needs with achieving greater outcomes as a region.

    • Key challenges in conservation such as funding and administration.

    • How BCA develops overarching relationships with funders and larger stakeholders (such as DoC and Regional Council) to make it easier for everyone involved.

    • The importance of viewing biodiversity as an investment rather than a cost.

    • How businesses can get involved in supporting local conservation efforts.

    • Michelle's vision for a future where predators are removed from Aotearoa and conservation focuses on positive outcomes.

    • Why finding your personal "conservation superpower" is crucial for making a difference.

    • The intergenerational aspect of conservation and why long-term planning is essential.

    • How people can get involved with BCA and support conservation in the Bay of Plenty.

    • And much more…

  • Michelle Elborn has a long-standing passion for the environment. Originally from the UK and having completed a master’s degree in Conservation and Recreation Management, she emigrated to Aotearoa in 2001 and was delighted to initially work for the Department of Conservation. 

    Moving on to Tauranga City Council, she spent the next decade working across sustainability, community development, strategy and communications. She is now very excited to be leading Bay Conservation Alliance, which presents a huge opportunity to develop a new model for community-led conservation.

    🔗Learn more:

  • The People Helping Nature podcast is brought to you by Conservation Amplified, a registered New Zealand charity.

    We are on a mission to help make conservation mainstream by amplifying the awesome stuff people are doing to help nature all around Aotearoa New Zealand.

    Because when people are aware, connected to the ecosystems around them and care enough to take positive action, only then will we see lasting change.

    Listen in and follow us to start or deepen your journey.

Callum Armstrong
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