Healing People and Planet
How Bupa Foundation & Conservation Volunteers Australia Grew a Partnership That’s Healing People and Planet
Australia’s landscapes are spectacular - from lush Queensland rainforests to the red sands of the Outback. But these ecosystems are under pressure from climate change, habitat loss, and urban expansion.
Enter the Bupa Foundation and Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA), a partnership born from strategy, clarity, and purpose. CVA had a vision: to form long term corporate partnerships that went beyond transactional tree planting. To make it happen, they completed BePartnerReady.com®, developing a rigorous partnership framework. Soon after, their first major collaboration was secured with the Bupa Foundation.
From readiness… to reality
Being partner-ready changed everything for CVA. They clarified what they had to offer a partner by valuing their assets, identified prospects with synergy and crafted a pitch that resonated. Bupa, aligned in purpose, saw the potential for an initiative that benefits both people and the planet.
L Roger Sharp (Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer) Bupa Asia Pacific, R Phil Harrison (CEO) Conservation Volunteers Australia
The result? Nature Blocks™, a nationwide program that empowers Australians to restore biodiversity right where they live - from backyards to local parks.
Through Nature Blocks, participants create micro-habitats with:
- Native plantings
- Pollinator gardens
- Insect hotels and lizard lounges
The impact is tangible:
- 72,800+ Australians engaged
- 97% reported improved wellbeing
(Source: CVA “Our Nature Blocks” Report)
Nature Blocks transforms eco-anxiety into positive action, connecting people with nature and giving them a real sense of contribution.
Community-led conservation
Beyond Nature Blocks, the Bupa Foundation supports CVA in broader community conservation efforts. Volunteers take part in tree planting, habitat restoration, and weed control, making a measurable difference for local biodiversity.
CVA’s approach ensures that corporate support directly benefits both people and nature - creating meaningful impact on the ground.
Why this partnership works
Aligned missions: CVA restores nature; Bupa invests in health. Together, they focus on healthy people living in healthy environments.
Community at the heart: Both organisations mobilise everyday Australians to take meaningful action.
Strategic preparation: CVA became partner-ready through BePartnerReady.com®, ensuring that when Bupa came on board, everything clicked.
CVA continues to scale Nature Blocks, expanding community engagement and biodiversity impact across Australia. More partnerships are in the pipeline, but this first collaboration shows exactly what’s possible when preparation meets opportunity.
For non-profits, it’s a reminder: getting partner-ready can transform vision into real-world impact. For corporate partners, it’s proof that aligning with purpose creates measurable benefits - for people and for the planet.
Hailey Cavill-Jaspers
Links:
