The Biosphere Foundation has worked with the community to create a sustainable future for Western Port. We do this through research, education, community engagement, partnerships and on-ground conservation efforts. The Foundation has tax-deductibility status as an environmental organisation.
The Biosphere Foundation is funded by donations and contributions from the five local governments of the Biosphere – Cities of Casey and Frankston and Shires of Bass Coast, Cardinia and Mornington Peninsula. It also receives grant funding for projects from a number of sources, including the State Government, Federal Government, Melbourne Water and philanthropists.
The biosphere reserve nomination document contains a number of commitments regarding governance and management.
The Biosphere Foundation’s founding constitution was adopted at the inaugural meeting in December 2003. It has been recently updated, with the generous assistance of leading law firm Maddocks. The changes that they advised were incorporated in the revised constitution which was adopted at the 2020 Annual General Meeting, held on January 28, 2021. .
The Biosphere Foundation’s charter was adopted at the inaugural meeting in December 2003. The charter reflects both the aspirational objectives of the foundation and the specific governance expectations of the Victorian State Government. It provides the broad vision for the biosphere reserve.
In 2014, a Governance Review Report was conducted by Kevin Love and the recommendations were adopted by the membership and board.
Prior to this, in 2010, an evaluation study was conducted by Roberts Evaluation Pty Ltd, as required by Victoria’s Biosphere Reserve Policy, to determine the effectiveness of the biosphere reserve since its designation in 2002 (Performance of the Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve Evaluation Study, Roberts Evaluation Pty Ltd, and Board response to the Roberts Evaluation report).
A range of internal policies guide the day-to-day operation of the Biosphere Foundation.
In 2014 the Biosphere successfully underwent its ten year review with UNESCO. This location map was included in the UNESCO review.
The Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation Ltd. wishes to acknowledge the generous contribution of Maddocks in drafting and reviewing our Constitution
Updated 2020
Stakeholder Engagement Committee
Governance Committee
Projects Committee
Science and Education Committee
Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation Strategy: 2019-2022
PO Box 261, Hastings VIC 3915
Australia
Ph: (03) 5979 2167
Unless otherwise stated all content, including the logo, are copyright © Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation Ltd.
The content and logo must not be used without the Foundation’s written consent.
Acknowledgement to Country The Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation acknowledges the Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work. First Nations peoples are the original caretakers of the land and waterways and hold the truth, the stories, and the knowledge necessary for creating a sustainable future. We recognise their continued connection to the land and waters. We pay our respects to the Elders past, present, and emerging. Always was, always will be, Aboriginal Land.
