ODONATA
ACADEMY
Welcome to Odonata Academy
Odonata Academy is the education branch of Odonata Foundation, delivering courses designed to provide people with practical knowledge to restore ecosystems and protect biodiversity.
Our flagship course, Saving species: For landholders and farmers, equips landholders and farmers with the knowledge and skills to support threatened species recovery, and promote healthy ecosystems on their properties.
The course is built on Odonata’s extensive, hands-on experience in the field, deep connections with key stakeholders, and strong collaborations with leading scientific researchers.
By combining practical knowledge with the latest insights in conservation and land management, it provides participants with the tools, strategies, and confidence to create meaningful, lasting change for biodiversity and threatened species recovery.
Participants are guided step-by-step to develop a personalised Species Recovery Action Plan tailored to their land, goals, and local context. This plan will help you:
Identify priority species or habitats on your property
Pinpoint key threats
Choose appropriate and culturally respectful control methods
Engage neighbours and local networks for greater impact
Tap into funding, resources, and expert support
By the end of the course, you’ll walk away with a clear, practical, and achievable roadmap to start or scale your conservation efforts, one that aligns with national best practice.
What it’s like to be part of Saving species
Hear from our participants and see what the course looks like in action: hands-on learning, expert guidance, and a community of people passionate about restoring nature.
Pricing
With support from The Ian Potter Foundation and The ERDI Foundation, the full course cost of $4,250 has been subsidised.
Subsidised price
$1,950
Modules and learning outcomes
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Understand the causes and consequences of species decline
Explore the principles and strategies of species recovery
Explore the connection between species recovery and ecosystem health
Examine the distribution of Australia’s threatened species and role of private landholders in ecosystem recovery
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Examine the practices of baselining and monitoring and their role in ecosystem restoration
Explore the use of data in tailoring restoration goals and strategies to meet site-specific needs
Consider the key environmental metrics to monitor
Explore when, why, and how to use different baselining and monitoring methods
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Explore the ecological impacts of invasive species on ecosystems and native fauna and flora
Examine when, why, and how to implement different interventions to manage invasive species effectively and meet site-specific challenges
Consider the role of habitat restoration and supplementation in enhancing ecosystem resilience
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Assess fencing suitability and impact
Examine fencing designs and features
Consider the planning, construction, maintenance, and monitoring of fences
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Explore the role of ecological science in conservation decision-making and planning
Investigate the role of technology in enhancing restoration actions
Examine the evolutionary and genetic barriers that affect threatened species recovery
Discover the role of citizen science in supporting threatened species recovery
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Understand the importance of engaging with the community to build local support, secure funding, and enhance project success
Identify key groups, organisations, and structures at national, state, and local levels that can provide resources, partnerships, and support
Explore strategies to foster collaboration and encourage active community engagement
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Explore different business models that balance ecological impact with long-term financial sustainability
Develop a foundational understanding of Natural Capital Markets
Explore the principles, benefits, and practical applications of regenerative farming
Explore the key principles of soil-focused farming and their application in improving ecosystem health
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Examine the federal, state and local legal frameworks that protect flora, fauna and culturally significant areas
Explore common restoration activities with legal implications
Consider when and why to partner with experts
The details
The course follows a Guided Track, offering a focused, high-impact learning experience that builds your confidence, clarity, and connections.
Over four months, you’ll get direct access to leading conservation experts, tailored advice, and the chance to apply what you learn through real-world, on-the-ground experiences.
With regular interaction, peer support, and expert guidance, you’ll move from understanding to action alongside others who share your goals.
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Access to 8 online learning modules created in collaboration with leading practitioners
A suite of downloadable resources, tools, and templates to support action on your property, including step-by-step guidance to develop your own Species Recovery Action Plan
8 live, interactive webinars to learn directly from species recovery experts and get personalised advice for your property
A mid-course retreat at Mt Rothwell Safe Haven to see species recovery in action, build hands-on skills, and connect with like-minded landholders
An end-of-course Online Workshop to present your Species Recovery Action Plan and get personalised feedback
4 months of structured support, with continued resource access to reinforce your learning
Mentorship and community alongside a cohort of passionate, purpose-driven participants
Invitation to access the Academy’s Alumni Network for continued learning, connection, and collaboration
Access to Odonata’s annual Landholder Gathering to stay informed, inspired, and part of the broader movement
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Online and in person
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The course runs for 4 months, with a 2-hour live session every fortnight, and around 3-4 hours of self-paced work between sessions.
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March - July 2027
August - November 2027
2028 TBC
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March-July 2027
Course commencement (Access to online modules): Tuesday 30th March
First Subject Matter Expert webinar: Week of 5th April (Usually a Wednesday, 10:00-11:30). Subsequent SME webinars occur fortnightly.
Mid course retreat at Mt Rothwell: Thursday 27th - Friday 28th May
End of course Online Workshop (Action Plan presentations): Thursday 22nd July TBC
Course completion: Friday 23rd July
August-November 2027
Course commencement (Access to online modules): Monday 2nd August
First Subject Matter Expert webinar: Week of 9th August (Usually a Wednesday, 10:00-11:30). Subsequent SME webinars occur fortnightly.
Mid course retreat at Mt Rothwell: Thursday 16th - Friday 17th September
End of course Online Workshop (Action Plan presentations): Thursday 25th November TBC
Course completion: Friday 26th November
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To ensure a personalised and high-quality experience, each intake is capped at just 20 participants. This small-group format allows for tailored support, meaningful connections, and direct access to mentors and experts. Places fill quickly so secure your spot early!
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We believe this course should be accessible to those ready to take action for nature. With support from The Ian Potter Foundation and The ERDI Foundation, the full course cost of $4,250 has been subsidised:
Course fee $1,950
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There are no formal assessments. Instead, participants are supported to develop a personalised Species Recovery Action Plan tailored to their land, goals, and local context. This is a practical, step-by-step process embedded throughout the course.
At the end of the course, you’ll share your plan with the group during a collaborative session. This is an open, supportive discussion, not a formal presentation, designed to spark ideas, share insights, and strengthen each other’s projects.
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Got a question or keen to get involved? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out to Caro Stillman, Community Engagement Coordinator, for more information, support, or just a good chat.
“It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
— Bryan Rollins, Pulganbar, NSW
The proof is in the participant
“You have to be dynamic and adaptable when you're on the farm because things just change all the time. So short-term planning is almost impossible, let alone long-term planning. That's why I'm doing the course, so that we'll have the action plan and then we can institute things. It's definitely been eye-opening. It's definitely been worthwhile.”
— Frank Hadju, Willowmavin, Vic
“Being connected with other people facing the same challenges that we face, is really beneficial. It’s like we're not out there just doing it on our own”.
— Brian Herington, Northern Rivers, NSW
Enrol in our 2027 courses
Join a crew of likeminded landholders and conservationists to save species yourself!
Saving Species Course | Mar-Jul 2027
$1,950.00
Saving Species Course | Aug-Nov 2027
$1,950.00
Saving Species Course | Feb-May 2026
$1,750.00
Sold out
Saving Species Course | Aug-Nov 2026
$1,750.00
Sold out
Expression of interest
Interested in learning more about the course and whether it’s the right fit for you? Register here and we’ll get in touch!
Subject matter experts
Sam Lancaster
Conservation fencing models
Dr Damian Jones
Conservation technologies
Nigel Sharp
Farming and natural capital markets
Matt Singleton
Species and regulatory frameworks
Caro Stillman
Course coordinator
Jen Oceans
Community engagement
Georgia Randall
Baselining and monitoring
Sheryl Nettleton
Invasive species management
Course collaborators
Kym Kruse
Soil health and regenerative farming
Phil Ireland
Natural capital markets
Dr Andrew Weeks
Ecological genetics
FAQs
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Saving Species: For Landholders and Farmers is an applied conservation course that equips landholders, graziers, and farmers with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to support threatened species recovery and ecosystem health on their properties. Developed by Odonata, the course blends expert insights, practical guidance, and real-world examples to help you create a meaningful and achievable Species Recovery Action Plan.
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This course is designed for:
Private landholders
Graziers and mixed-enterprise farmers
Conservation-minded property managers
Individuals ready to take practical action for biodiversity and species recovery
Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your efforts, this course meets you where you are—with options for independent learners and those seeking hands-on, expert-supported guidance.
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Across eight modules, you’ll gain skills in:
Assessing biodiversity and tracking ecological change
Managing invasive species and habitat restoration
Applying regenerative land management practices
Navigating natural capital markets and conservation policy
Engaging communities and building collaborative conservation networks
Each participant develops a personalised Species Recovery Action Plan, tailored to their land and goals.
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The course runs for 4 months, with a 2-hour live session every fortnight, and around 3-4 hours of self-paced work between sessions.
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No. This course is designed to be practical and accessible. Whether you’re managing thousands of acres or just beginning your conservation journey, the course will guide you step-by-step toward real-world action.
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You’ll leave with:
A step-by-step Species Recovery Action Plan tailored to your property
Clear understanding of your land’s biodiversity values and threats
Strategies to manage invasive species and enhance ecosystem resilience
Tools to track ecological improvements over time
Clarity on where to start and what to prioritise
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Enrolments are currently open for the 2027 course intakes. Spots are limited to only 20 places per cohort.
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Got a question or keen to get involved? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out to Caro Stillman, Odonata’s Community Engagement Coordinator, for more information, support, or just a good chat.
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Yes. Although the course was designed for landholders and farmers, many past participants who don’t own land have still gained a great deal from the program. If you'd like to chat to an alumni member about their experience, or have any questions at all, we’d be glad to support you.
Photography by Annette Ruzicka, Pete James.Academy
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