Protecting and enhancing Mosman’s natural wealth
Our Mission
The Foundation raises and disperses funds to unleash the potential of local partners to preserve, protect and enhance the natural wealth of Mosman. We support good environmental practise and educational initiatives in our community.
The foundation was set up through Mosman Council with an inaugural grant from Don Seaton – a local who was passionate about the environment. The first board members were appointed in 2021.
We have funded locals to deliver: Living Seawalls to support life in our waterways, sensory gardens to help children connect to nature, weeded critical areas of national parks, a youth bush school, research projects protecting underwater forests and endangered seahorses, taught children how to compost and grow food, seeded wild grasses and flowers and brought schools together to celebrate the environment. Apply in the next round to get your project added to this list!
What We Do
GRANTS
We provide regular grants to local community organisations for worthwhile environmental projects.
FUNDRAISING
We raise funds through our regular giving program, via discretionary personal donations and corporate support.
EDUCATION
We seek to educate the local community on ways in which they can influence local environmental outcomes.
Supporting Local Projects
Want to make a difference to Mosman’s natural environment and heritage? Do you have a project that improves the quality of Mosman’s flora, fauna, soil, air or water?
You can apply as an individual, an organisation, group or company, as long as your project enhances and protects Mosman’s natural wealth. All applications will be reviewed by the board and short-listed applicants will be interviewed.
You can download a copy of our Grant Application Guidelines here.
To apply, please email us directly here.
Grant are up to $10,000, however we will also consider larger projects where the benefit to the environment is significant.
Meet Our Board Members
Phil Vernon
Phil is a professional director and adviser with a focus on sustainable finance. He was previously CEO and Managing Director of Australian Ethical Investment and Group Executive with Perpetual Limited.
Currently, he is a Director of Futurity Investment Group, Eticore Pty Limited, climate change think tank Beyond Zero Emissions, the Environmental Defender’s Office and the Planet Ark Environmental Foundation. He is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
Clare Taylor
She has two hives of honeybees in her garden, where she also grows her own vegetables.
Yolande Stone
Yolande Stone (BSc, UQld, M Env Stud, UNSW) worked as a plant pathologist in Queensland and then in chemical research in California, including in a program to develop pesticides to replace DDT.
Yolande recently retired after 20 years in the Department of Planning where she was Director of Planning Policy, Systems and Reform and was also involved in the environmental assessment of major projects. She still gives lectures at the University of Sydney to postgraduate students on EIA and DA processes.
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As a resident of Mosman since 1979, Yolande has been actively involved in local community organisations including Mosman Parks and Bushland Association and is a volunteer in the Council’s bushcare and harbourcare programs.
Poon Fletcher
Poon is a senior lawyer with over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry gained at global law firms and Australian domestic banks. She is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. However, through her background in agricultural zoology and research in veterinary pathology, she has an appreciation of environmental challenges and the scarcity of funding for organisations that want to protect and sustain natural ecosystems.
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Bruno da Silva
Bruno is a sustainability-savvy procurement professional with a knack for turning complex policy into practical impact. With 20 years of experience across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, he’s helped build organisational muscle where none existed—especially in finance, governance, and environmental strategy.
In Mosman’s own Taronga Zoo, Bruno led the shift to 100% renewable electricity, slashing emissions and improving savings. He’s brought commercial smarts to animal welfare, modern slavery compliance, and green innovation.
Bruno brings energy, ethics, and excellence to everything he does.
Cécile Walton
Cécile’s experience covers both strategic and operational matters across global and country-specific sustainability, change management and human resources functions, programs and initiatives. Over the span of her career, Cécile has worked with MinterEllison (ESG governance consulting), the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (Group Sustainability / Group Corporate Affairs) and Accenture (domestic and international client-facing assignments).
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Donate Now
The Mosman Environment Fund was set up with an inaugural donation of $500,000 from Don Seaton. Wishing to continue the work of the Fund in perpetuity, we are seeking donations from residents, local organisations, and frankly anyone who would like to support the good work we are doing for the Mosman Environment.
If you’d like to meet with us and talk about what we’re doing, please complete the contact us form, and one of the board will be in touch. Or if you are ready now, please click the GiveNow button below, or use the QR code, to take you to our secure donations page.
