Earlier this month, the Nature Insights Series invited audiences to step inside one of South Australia’s most remarkable conservation landscapes.

Inside Coorong Lakes: A Virtual Field Trip of Conservation in Action took participants on a journey through the Coorong Lakes conservation project, a protected landscape south of Meningie that is helping demonstrate how biodiversity protection, Traditional Owner partnership and innovative finance can work together to restore nature.

The project protects around 200 hectares of ecologically significant habitat, managed by conservation organisation Cassinia Environmental in partnership with the Ngarrindjeri people.

“What we’re seeing here is a model for how conservation can be delivered at scale — bringing together science, partnerships and long-term funding for nature.”

Through a virtual tour of the landscape, speakers explored how science, stewardship and new funding models are helping protect one of Australia’s most important ecological regions.

Understanding the Landscape

The session began by introducing the ecological significance of the Coorong region.

Located on Ngarrindjeri Country, the reserve sits within the broader Coorong ecosystem, connected to Lake Alexandrina and the Coorong Lagoons — one of Australia’s most important wetland systems.

The landscape itself is a mosaic of ecosystems.

“When you stand in this landscape you realise how many different ecosystems exist within just a few hundred hectares.”

Low-lying samphire wetlands and paperbark shrublands transition into sandy dune systems supporting mallee woodland and coastal heath vegetation. This diversity of habitats supports a remarkable range of plant and animal life.

A Refuge for Biodiversity

Despite extensive land clearing across the surrounding agricultural landscape, the Coorong Lakes reserve remains a rare pocket of intact native vegetation.

Ecological surveys have recorded over 230 native plant species and dozens of bird species, highlighting the importance of protecting these remnant habitats.

Species recorded on the site include Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Elegant Parrot, Black-eared Cuckoo, Shy Heathwren.

“Every survey we conduct reveals something new about this landscape and the species that rely on it.”

Researchers also use tools such as remote cameras, acoustic monitoring and vegetation surveys to track ecological change over time.

Conservation Work on the Ground

The webinar then shifted focus to the practical conservation work happening on the reserve.

Protecting biodiversity requires more than simply setting land aside — it requires active management.

On-ground work includes weed and pest animal control, habitat restoration, ecological monitoring, installing wildlife nest boxes, vegetation regeneration.

These efforts help rebuild ecological complexity and improve habitat for threatened species.

“Protecting the land is only the first step. Long-term management is what ensures biodiversity can recover.”

Recent monitoring has even recorded Western pygmy possums using newly installed nest boxes, highlighting how restoration efforts are already benefiting wildlife

Caring for Country Together

A key theme throughout the discussion was the partnership with the Ngarrindjeri people, the Traditional Custodians of the Coorong.

Conservation work on the property integrates scientific monitoring with cultural knowledge and community stewardship.

“Healthy Country is about more than biodiversity — it’s about culture, connection and community.”

The nearby Raukkan community is actively involved in activities such as monitoring, fencing and vegetation management, ensuring the project also supports local employment and cultural connection to Country.

Financing the Future of Nature

The final section of the virtual field trip explored how the project is funded through biodiversity credits.

At Coorong Lakes, each biodiversity credit represents one square metre of vulnerable habitat that is permanently protected and actively managed.

This model allows businesses and individuals to directly support measurable conservation outcomes.

“Biodiversity credits give people a tangible way to invest in protecting nature.”

This innovative funding model is helping unlock new investment into conservation at a time when biodiversity loss is accelerating globally.

A Glimpse Into the Future of Conservation

For participants, the virtual field trip offered more than a tour of a conservation property.

It provided a powerful example of how collaboration, science and innovative finance can help restore and protect ecosystems.

Projects like Coorong Lakes demonstrate how conservation can move beyond traditional funding models and unlock new ways for organisations and individuals to contribute to nature recovery.

“If we’re serious about reversing biodiversity loss, we need scalable solutions — and projects like this show what’s possible.”