A better way to leave the world
Your generous gift will help us towards our campaign goal, helping us leave the world a better place.
Introducing Restoration Burial Grounds
The Natural Burial Ground Trust of Australia is introducing Restoration Burial Grounds, an innovative model that connects end-of-life choices with environmental restoration. The growing practice of natural burial involves placing a body into the earth with minimal resources (using eco-caskets and shrouds) to promote a natural return to the earth. When located within a Restoration Burial Ground, this simple, nature-inspired ritual generates funding for biodiversity restoration and conservation, providing a practical investment in our shared ecological future. This allows individuals and families to find comfort by establishing a lasting legacy connecting the death of an individual with the restoration of environmental life.
The Need, Our Vision, The Impact
We All Want to Make a Difference
Just thinking about environmental issues can be overwhelming – and what can any one person do? Well… we can make sure that the very last thing we do makes a genuine difference.
Modern funeral practices are environmentally impactful, and generate unnecessary carbon emissions. But it need not be this way. The ability to choose a sustainable farewell can actually contribute to environmental restoration, and create a living legacy for future generations.
Creating Spaces of Enduring Regeneration
The Natural Burial Ground Trust is set to establish a network of Restoration Burial Grounds across Australia over the next decade, creating permanent nature reserves, and living memorials.
The first site in Goolwa, South Australia, is approved with strong community support, and a partnership with the Nature Foundation ensuring ecological integrity.
A Real Return to the Earth
The Restoration Burial Ground model is designed to provide ongoing funding for biodiversity restoration and conservation programs.
The decision to choose a natural return to the earth is a choice to invest in our shared environment and ecological future.
The First Wattlewood Natural Burial Ground
Australia’s first Restoration Burial Ground will be on five hectares of land near Goolwa in South Australia. The project was embraced by the Alexandrina Council, and overwhelmingly supported by 95% of local residents surveyed.
This initiative is further strengthened by a partnership with Nature Foundation, South Australia’s leading conservation organisation. Nature Foundation’s involvement ensures the highest ecological integrity as we transform the site into a natural bush reserve that enables individuals and families to leave the world in a better way.
This first Natural Burial Ground will serve as a foundation for a network of Restoration Burial Grounds across Australia.
Help Bring Wattlewood to Life — Step by Step
Together, we’re building Australia’s first natural restoration burial ground. Every dollar unlocks the next stage.
We’ve broken down our total fundraising goal into five achievable milestones.
Each milestone builds upon the last, and each unlocks a new chapter of Wattlewood’s story. In this way every donation contributes to something real, and together, step by step, we will bring Wattlewood to life.
Milestone One - $146,600 - Burials Begin
Your early support funds all the necessary establishment works and planning — landscape design, site mapping, earthworks and wayfinding markers — then Wattlewood can open for its first natural burials.
Outcome: Every grave site is mapped and easily located. Families waiting for a natural resting place no longer have to wait.
Milestone Two - $135,200 - Welcoming Every Visitor
These funds will provide the essential infrastructure – safe, all-weather pathways, carpark, specialist equipment and an all-access composting toilet.
Outcome: Every visitor, regardless of ability, can access the burial ground in comfort and dignity.
Milestone Three - $107,500 - Restoring the Land link
Reaching this milestone will install feral-proof fencing and gates, a secure storage facility, and enable advanced revegetation works and protection of endangered species.
Outcome: The site is secured, and the transformation accelerates. In time, every grave will share the shade of a tree.
Milestone four - $25,200 - Sharing the Story
This important funding provides for effective websites, signage and outreach to establish the Wattlewood brand and spread the vision of restoration burials.
Outcome: Families and communities discover Wattlewood and join the restoration burial movement.
Milestone five - $81,500 - Memories Without Borders
These funds allow the setup of “Magellan” – a Guide to Grave technology that enables pinpoint grave navigation and immersive virtual visitation and memorials.
Outcome: Visitors can find sites with ease and families can connect with loved ones — anytime, anywhere in the world.
Donate today
Your generous gift will help us towards our campaign goal, helping us leave the world a better place.
Become a Founding Donor
Interested in becoming an acknowledged Founding Donor with a donation above $20,000? Please provide your details and a member of the Natural Burial Ground Trust will contact you to organise a Case for Support document and answer any questions you may have.
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