Abstract Summary
The Australian Government has pledged A$ 100 million over the coming 5 years towards Reef restoration and adaptation science, thus providing a globally significant opportunity to advance coral reef restoration. This program will build on the outcomes from the Reef Restoration and Adaptation program; a 12-month program definition phase that will be finalised in early 2019. To maximise opportunities for co-investment and global collaboration, the funding will be distributed through the Great Barrier Reef Foundation; a charity dedicated to protecting and preserving the GBR. The GBRF has a large network of science, funding and corporate partners and a strong track record of fundraising and delivering programs with impact. As part of our contract with the Australian Government, we have pledged to raise funds to match the Government funding 1:1 over the course of this program. The restoration program will be delivered and funded through a coordinated portfolio approach, where concepts such as outcomes focused research and development programs, global consortia, innovation challenges, conservation prizes and significant private-public partnerships all have a strategic role to play. In addition to our core network of research collaborators, we are partnering with network and innovation experts as well as with lead philanthropists and organisations that share our vision for coral reefs. In this talk I will highlight the need to look beyond traditional funding models to deliver urgent solutions, and how we can all benefit from being part of a greater cause. I will also argue the need to better coordinate and expand our current platform to include non-traditional partners to help us solve wicked challenges.
