Nature Conservation Award

Awarded yearly to someone who has made a significant contribution to our knowledge of the biodiversity in South Australia. The recipient is someone  deserving of recognition within the conservation movement, through volunteering, supporting and/or mentoring. They may be someone within our FNSSA membership.

The Nature Conservation Award has been awarded 26 times since 1989. On three occasions no award has been awarded. Twice it has been awarded to couples and on two occasions it has been awarded posthumously.

More information and a list of past recipients can be found here. (42kB PDF)

FNSSA Nature Conservation Award medallion side 2
Nature Conservation Award medallion side 2

Lirabenda Endowment Fund and Wo Fenner Bequest Grant

The Field Naturalists Society of South Australia Inc. established the Lirabenda Endowment Fund in 2005 with the proceeds of the sale of one of our properties, Lirabenda, near Mylor.  The Lirabenda Endowment Fund  was set up to fund a number of small research grants each year and in doing so promote and encourage research into the biota and natural environment of South Australia. Later funds were added to the LEF through a generous bequest from Wo Fenner, a long-time FNSSA member. To honour Wo’s intention to encourage young women in science, an extra grant is awarded every few years in her name to an upcoming female researcher.

Each year Applications for research projects which meet the guidelines set out by our society are invited from students and staff of tertiary institutions, researchers at other institutions, and from individuals who are carrying out relevant research under their own volition.

Each year Applications for research projects which meet the guidelines set out by our society are invited from students and staff of tertiary institutions, researchers at other institutions, and from individuals who are carrying out relevant research under their own volition.

To date more than $350,000 has been awarded to successful applicants, for grants that have investigated a huge range of important topics, many of whom have returned to speak on their research at FNSSA meetings.

FNSSA Lirabenda Endowment Fund Research Grants 2024

The FNSSA is pleased to offer 10 Research Grants of up to $3,000 to further and promote research into the biota and natural environment of South Australia.

Applications for 2024 LEF Grants now Open!

Applications Open: Monday 11th December 2023

Close: Friday 16th February 2024

Please find below the following 2024 Research Grant files to Download

• Invitation to Apply (PDF)

• Grant Guidelines (PDF)

• Application Form (Word) (PDF) or (ZIP containing Word and PDF)