Nature & Conservation Income
Biodiversity stewardship agreements, credits and nature-based experiences.
What it involves
Being paid to protect and manage native vegetation — a Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust can generate biodiversity credits that are sold to developers who need offsets. Guided nature experiences can complement this.
How it can generate income
Credit sales can range from thousands to substantial sums depending on the ecological value of your land, plus annual management payments under some programs.
Does the agritourism framework apply?
No — conservation agreements sit under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2017, separate from the planning framework. Nature-based tours may intersect with farm experience premises.
Zoning & development approvals
A stewardship agreement is a serious, usually permanent legal commitment registered on title. It restricts clearing and some land uses forever — get independent legal and financial advice before signing.
Setup & operating costs
Ecological assessment fees, legal costs, and ongoing management obligations (weed and pest control, fencing) funded by the agreement's management fund.
Environmental & practical considerations
This is the point of the exercise — protecting koala habitat, corridors and threatened species while earning from that protection.
Authoritative sources
Legislative content last reviewed July 2026.