Growing the Future
As a leader in conservation, Taronga Conservation Society Australia works to educate, encourage and empower people to act for the wild and create positive outcomes for wildlife and the environment.
From 2011 to 2017 Taronga awarded $150,000 in Green Grants for innovative conservation ideas that tackle key issues, including plastic pollution and the illegal wildlife trade, and aim to inspire and empower communities to help secure a sustainable future for our planet. In 2020 we launched our next stage of support for environmental innovation – the Hatch: Taronga Accelerator Program.
Our Vision
Innovative solutions are making a difference for wildlife and the environment.
Our Aim
To inspire, support and launch innovative ideas and actions by the community that address key environmental or conservation challenges.
Our Mission
To drive innovation solutions to some of the world's most challenging conservation problems.
Our Outputs
$416,000
Funding provided towards ecopreneurs and their environmental solutions.
100%
Of the overall recipient of the Hatch: Taronga Accelerator program grant, has had female founder/s at the helm.
40
Ecopreneurs supported across the Hatch: Taronga Accelerator Program (23 initiatives).
104
Mentors, guest speakers and experts connected with Hatch founders.
Meet Our Team
Christie Gazal - Program Coordinator
Christie is the Community Impact Support Officer on the Hatch: Taronga Accelerator Program and has been working in the not-for-profit sector for over eleven years. With experience in program coordination, event management and behaviour change, Christie thrives on supporting ecopreneurs to take their ideas from vision to reality.
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Tom Allen - Entrepreneur in Residence
Tom is Founder and CEO of Impact Boom. As a certified social enterprise and leading intermediary, Impact Boom helps entrepreneurs and innovators unleash their greatest potential to create a better world. Tom has worked closely with hundreds of social entrepreneurs globally to maximise their impact and is proud to be supporting Hatch as the Entrepreneur in Residence and delivery partner.
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Belinda Fairbrother - Co-Founder
Belinda is the Co-Founder of the Hatch: Taronga Accelerator Program. Belinda has over fifteen years of experience in the not-for-profit sector focussing on behaviour change, conservation and sustainability, and is passionate about helping changemakers bring their brilliant ideas to life.
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Paul Maguire - Director of Education
Paul is the Director of Education at Taronga and is passionate about conservation, youth, Indigenous issues and behaviour change. Paul has extensive experience developing award winning behaviour change campaigns and innovative education programs, exhibits and experiences focusing on advocating for the wild. His goal is to deliver inspiring educative experiences to all those who engage with Taronga.
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