A million reasons to say thank you

The last few years have been significant ones for FNPW. A national strategy that is already delivering. A tree planting program that has passed one million trees in the ground. Partnerships that are deeper, more ambitious, and built for the long term. None of it happened by accident, and none of it happened alone.

David Knowles has been part of this organisation for eight years, three of them as President & Chair, and as he steps back from that role, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on what we have built together.

Thinking bigger, acting bolder

If there’s a thread that runs through everything FNPW achieved during David’s time on the board, it’s the shift toward thinking at a national scale.

“The organisation has taken a leap forward in its approach to tackling the problems we are here to solve,” David reflects. “Taking a national view and focusing on the most important areas, where we can have the greatest impact, across Australia, is absolutely the right thing to do.”

That thinking took its clearest form in FNPW 2025-2028 strategic plan, Partnering for Impact, which David helped shape alongside the board and executive team. “Being part of developing that strategy was really enjoyable,” he says, “and we are already starting to see its impact. Its impact should be felt well beyond 2028.”

One trowel, one million reasons

Ask David to name a moment that has stayed with him, and he goes straight to Lane Cove National Park, and the day our tree planting program hit one million trees.

“It was a standout moment because it involved marking a milestone as well as actually planting a living tree into the Earth,” he says. “I still have the trowel and I intend to keep it.”

That detail says a lot. One million is a number that matters. A trowel pressed into soil is the feeling behind it.

Growing with the urgency of the moment

Conservation has become a more urgent, more scrutinised space over the past eight years, and FNPW has grown with it.

“As well as the environment itself, we have evolved our thinking in terms of who we partner with and who funds our work,” David says. “Those funders and partners have all become more sophisticated over the last few years, and I expect they will continue on that path.”

What held steady through all of that change was a clear sense of purpose. “With any charity, it is always about the mission and vision,” he reflects. “You can never lose sight of the reason you exist.”

What makes us different

When we asked David what he believes sets FNPW apart, his answer was simple. “FNPW has the ability to bring everything together. We can bring important initiatives to life and we can often turn good ideas into bigger and better ideas that result in more impact.”

That capacity to convene, connect, and amplify is something we see reflected in every partnership we hold, from Traditional Custodians and scientists to corporate supporters and on-the-ground conservation teams.

To everyone who made it possible

David also had something he wanted to say to the donors and supporters who have backed this work.

“The first thing I would do is thank them for their support, and their care for the environment and our amazing wildlife. I would say that they support a great organisation doing important work well. Their support will be critical going forward as we look to continue our increasingly urgent work.”

We couldn’t put it better ourselves.

What we’re proudest of

Beyond the milestones, what David says he’s most proud of is the people. “When I look around the boardroom table, I think we have a group of really high-calibre, experienced and committed people.”

A strong strategy and the right people to carry it forward. At our most recent AGM, David passed the role of President & Chair to Kelly O’Shanassy, and left behind an organisation well placed to meet what comes next. That’s not a bad thing to leave behind at all.

“I care about the things that drew me to FNPW in the first place, so I’ll stay involved. At the same time, I’ll create a bit more space in my life.”

David, from everyone at FNPW, our partners, our supporters, and every species this work exists to protect: thank you. It has been a privilege to do this alongside you.