A billionaire couple’s $120M gift offers a 'lifeline' to the world’s rarest parrot before it vanishes forever.

An Australian billionaire couple has committed more than $120 million to 10 conservation organisations in one of the country's largest philanthropic contributions towards environmental protection. Alexandra and Julian Burt, through their Wright Burt Foundation, are supporting initiatives focused on protecting threatened wildlife, restoring natural habitats and expanding conservation efforts across Australia. Among the beneficiaries is BirdLife Australia, which will receive $10 million to support the recovery of the critically endangered Western Ground Parrot, also known as Kyloring. Fewer than 180 of these birds are believed to remain in the wild. The wider commitment will also fund land acquisition, ecosystem restoration and scientific research, including efforts to expand protected habitats and strengthen the recovery of threatened native species.

Who are Alexandra and Julian Burt?

Alexandra and Julian Burt are Australian philanthropists who have committed the funding through their charitable organisation, the Wright Burt Foundation.Alexandra is the granddaughter of mining entrepreneur Peter Wright, who was a business partner of Lang Hancock, the father of Australian mining billionaire Gina Rinehart.

The Wright and Hancock families were associated with the development of Western Australia's iron ore industry.

The couple generally maintain a low public profile and support several causes through their foundation, including environmental protection, education, arts and heritage.Julian Burt has spoken about his longstanding interest in nature, recalling how he kept ant farms, raised pigeons and even kept redback spiders in jars during his childhood.The couple also owns Bullo River Station, a cattle property in Australia's Northern Territory. The property is managed in partnership with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, combining cattle-station operations with conservation and wildlife-protection initiatives.

How will the $120 million be distributed?

The Wright Burt Foundation's commitment will be shared among 10 Australian environmental and conservation organisations. Three organisations will receive $25 million each, two will receive $10 million each, while the remaining five will receive approximately $5.33 million apiece.The reported allocations are:

* Australian Wildlife Conservancy: $25 million

* Bush Heritage Australia: $25 million

* Greenpeace: $25 million

* BirdLife Australia: $10 million

* Great Southern Land Conservancy: $10 million

* Aussie Ark: approximately $5.33 million

* Conservation Partners: approximately $5.33 million

* Great Barrier Reef Foundation: approximately $5.33 million

* Rainforest Rescue: approximately $5.33 million

* South Endeavour Trust: approximately $5.33 millionThe individual figures are rounded, so their combined total differs slightly from the reported commitment of more than $120 million.

The contributions will support different aspects of conservation, including wildlife recovery, habitat restoration, land acquisition, environmental research and ecosystem protection.

$10 million donation could help save Australia's rare parrot

One of the most significant projects supported by the donation is the recovery of the Western Ground Parrot, also known by its Noongar name, Kyloring.BirdLife Australia will receive $10 million to accelerate efforts to prevent the species from becoming extinct. The bird is classified as Critically Endangered, with fewer than 180 individuals believed to remain in the wild.The majority of the remaining population, approximately 150 birds, is found in Cape Arid National Park on Western Australia's south coast. A smaller population survives in the Waychinicup-Manypeaks area, while birds are also part of a captive conservation programme at Perth Zoo.The species faces several threats, including extensive bushfires, habitat degradation and predation by invasive animals such as feral cats and foxes.BirdLife Australia said experts had previously estimated a 75% likelihood that the Western Ground Parrot would become extinct by 2038 without urgent intervention. This is a risk estimate rather than a confirmed extinction timeline.The new funding will support a recovery programme involving the movement of birds between wild populations, habitat protection, improved monitoring and efforts to increase breeding success.Researchers also plan to improve methods for locating and monitoring nests, while strengthening fire management and invasive-predator control in important habitats.The programme will involve collaboration with Western Australia's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and Noongar Traditional Custodians.

Australian Wildlife Conservancy receives $25 million

The Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) will receive $25 million to expand its conservation operations and protect threatened native species.The organisation currently manages conservation programmes across approximately 1.7% of Australia's landmass. It aims to expand this to 5%, an area comparable in size to Germany.The funding will support strategic land acquisitions, the establishment and management of wildlife sanctuaries, habitat restoration and efforts to control invasive predators, particularly feral cats.It will also allow the organisation to expand scientific research into lesser-studied wildlife. One initiative will focus on bats, which account for more than 20% of mammal species but are often overlooked in conservation programmes.AWC plans to survey its sanctuaries to identify bat populations, determine which species are threatened and improve scientific understanding of their distribution.The organisation has also been working with the Burts at Bullo River Station, combining cattle-station management with scientific conservation and habitat restoration.

Bush Heritage Australia plans to acquire a 20,333-hectare property

Bush Heritage Australia will also receive $25 million, with part of the funding expected to support the proposed acquisition of Wooroora Station, a cattle property covering approximately 20,333 hectares, around 100 kilometres south-west of Cairns in Queensland.The property contains rainforest, woodland and other important habitats. It provides habitat for several native species, including southern cassowaries, koalas, yellow-bellied gliders and Lumholtz's tree-kangaroos.Approximately 98% of its natural landscape remains intact, making it an important area for biodiversity protection.The property is located near Bush Heritage Australia's existing Yourka Reserve. Protecting the two landscapes could help create a larger connected habitat for wildlife.The organisation has described the proposed acquisition as an important conservation opportunity. The property should not yet be described as a completed purchase or an established conservation reserve.

Other organisations receiving funding

The remaining contributions will support several other environmental initiatives across Australia.Greenpeace will receive $25 million. The organisation works on environmental issues including climate change, forest protection and ocean conservation. However, a detailed breakdown of how this particular grant will be allocated has not been publicly established.Great Southern Land Conservancy will receive $10 million to support land acquisition and conservation management.Aussie Ark will receive approximately $5.33 million to accelerate its three-year conservation masterplan. The organisation's work includes breeding, habitat restoration and rewilding programmes involving threatened native species such as Tasmanian devils, eastern quolls and Manning River turtles.Rainforest Rescue will also receive approximately $5.33 million. Much of the funding will support its Daintree Oxbow Project, which aims to protect and restore approximately 600 hectares of ecologically important land in Queensland. The remaining money will strengthen the organisation's capacity to undertake long-term restoration work.The Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Conservation Partners and South Endeavour Trust are also among the beneficiaries. The specific project-level allocation of their respective grants has not been established in the public announcements reviewed.

Australia faces growing biodiversity challenges

The donation comes as Australia's native wildlife faces increasing pressure from habitat loss, invasive species, climate change and extreme weather events.According to Australia's Environment Report 2025, the country's threatened-species list reached 2,175, following the addition of 39 species during the year. The report also identified climate change as a threat affecting nine out of 10 newly listed species.The funding is expected to provide conservation organisations with additional resources to pursue long-term projects, acquire ecologically important habitats and strengthen programmes aimed at preventing further wildlife declines.For the Western Ground Parrot, the $10 million contribution to BirdLife Australia provides additional support for an urgent recovery programme. For other conservation organisations, the wider commitment could help expand protected landscapes, restore ecosystems and support threatened species across Australia.