How 5 Australian Charities Are Healing Land and Lives for World Environment Day
Discover how five Australian charities are restoring land and lives for World Environment Day. Learn how your workplace can support them through giving and volunteering.
Discover how five Australian charities are restoring land and lives for World Environment Day. Learn how your workplace can support them through giving and volunteering.
Catalyser
World Environment Day invites us to reflect on the health of our environment, and what that says about the health of our communities. It’s a moment to pause, acknowledge the challenges facing our planet, and consider how each of us—individually and collectively—can contribute to regeneration and renewal.
But land isn’t the only thing that needs restoration. Across the country, a quiet transformation is underway led by charities restoring ecosystems, protecting culture, supporting people in recovery, and proving that healing land can also heal lives.
Let’s explore five Australian charities leading the way, each showing how powerful the connection between people and planet can be.
Founded by A/Prof Corey Tutt OAM, DeadlyScience was created to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have access to the same science resources and opportunities as every other child in Australia.
At the core of its mission: empower young people with culturally appropriate STEM education to foster future leaders in both knowledge and care for Country.
Programs like DeadlyLabs bring hands-on science, storytelling, and Indigenous perspectives together. Delivered to over 800 schools, these resources include telescopes, microscopes, and experiments. Most importantly, it is all co-developed with the community.
“We’re not just sending books and equipment, we’re sending a message that these kids belong in science.” — Corey Tutt
Corporate partners help scale the impact of DeadlyScience’s work through funding, workplace giving programs, and employee engagement.
In Western Australia, Good Sammy Enterprises is doing something extraordinary: creating jobs, confidence, and community connection through second-hand goods.
With over 420 employees, 50% of whom live with disability, Good Sammy provides training, work placements, and sustainable employment across retail, logistics, and recycling.
Each donation dropped at a Good Sammy op shop is part of a circular economy that reduces waste and restores value.
Their impact includes:
Employees from supporting businesses often take part in corporate volunteering programs, helping with sorting, inclusive sales, or sustainability events.
Zoos Victoria is one of Australia’s leading conservation organisations. Through its Fighting Extinction initiative, the organisation protects 27 endangered native species - from the Leadbeater’s Possum to the Baw Baw Frog.
Programs include:
Zoos Victoria shows that wildlife conservation isn’t just about protecting animals, it’s about sustaining ecosystems for generations to come.
In Bundanoon, NSW, the Quest for Life Foundation supports people living with trauma, grief, anxiety, and PTSD through residential programs that integrate mindfulness, group therapy, and immersion in nature.
Founded by Petrea King, the organisation’s evidence-informed retreats create space for personal healing, especially for veterans, survivors of violence, and first responders.
Nature is more than a backdrop here; it’s a co-facilitator in every recovery journey.
Corporate partners support mental wellbeing retreats and resilience-building programs that align with workplace wellbeing initiatives.
The Odonata Foundation is a bold, business-savvy conservation charity helping endangered species thrive again through sanctuaries, partnerships, and biodiversity corridors.
Its mission combines:
Odanata's scientifically backed We Save Species Recovery Model, known as 500-in-5 aims to ensure species are secure and protected against climate related threats. This means that once a minimum of 500 individuals across at least 5 sites are recovered, they have genetically diverse populations that ensures higher survival of species.
Corporate partners support this vision through volunteering, business innovation, and shared storytelling.
When charities and companies collaborate, the ripple effects are real. From school science labs on Country to forests growing in predator-free zones, corporate giving and volunteering partnerships scale the impact.
Whether you're in Sydney, Melbourne, or beyond, you can:
Learn how Catalyser supports purpose-driven partnerships
Looking to bring purpose into your team’s calendar? These World Environment Day activities are simple, inclusive, and impactful.
Take part in:
Explore corporate volunteering opportunities
Read more World Environment Day activity ideas
Every action adds up. Whether it's a few hours volunteering or a conversation started at lunch, your workplace has the power to restore not just land, but connection, confidence, and community.
Managing a workplace giving program that aligns with your company's mission and purpose can be a complex process as each company has unique needs. This is where Catalyser can help. Catalyser’s platform provides users access to over 25,000 charities, with an expert team dedicated to helping organisations source corporate volunteering and giving opportunities. This support enables you and your organisation to create a real impact. To learn more get in touch with us.
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