A Vision for FOG
In January 2022, Friends of Grasslands agreed to adopt a new vision, together with clarified goals and the rationale behind the vision. This goes beyond our existing statement, ‘Supporting grassy ecosystems’, and supplements the description in FoG's Constitution. It aims to enunciate what FOG does and what its members stand for – as the place from which we advocate, and that frames and guides our work, statements and actions.
Many thanks to those members who provided well-considered suggestions. The outcome is all the better for that.
FOG’s vision:
Healthy, biodiverse and connected remnant native grassy ecosystems continue to support life on Earth.
FOG will achieve this vision by:
- Acting to halt the decline of native grassy ecosystems, and their biodiversity and achieve the maximum level of recovery possible.
- Promoting and facilitating protection of the biodiversity of grassy ecosystems within and across the landscape.
- Recognising the need for community stewardship of these ecosystems, thereby continuing the cultural care provided by the Aboriginal peoples for millennia.
- Respecting the views and knowledge of all stakeholders and working with them to achieve our vision.
- Facilitating implementation of best practice management and encourage development of methods to improve conservation through hands-on application, research, education, strategic planning and monitoring. Advocating for effective environmental laws, enforcement mechanisms, planning and management underpin protection and conservation of native grassy ecosystems.
Rationale:
Native ecosystems and their biodiversity have intrinsic value.
Resilient native ecosystems are vital to our physical well-being through the provision of ecosystem services.
Human connections and interaction with nature and biodiversity are vital to our mental well-being.
The cultural traditions of Aboriginal peoples underpin our unique native habitats and guide the principles and implementation of sustainable and conservative use of our grassy ecosystems within the broader landscape.
Biodiversity cannot be sustained in isolated remnants.