Net Optimism: Markets for protecting nature

Net Optimism is an event series where we invite change makers, innovators, and subject matter experts to discuss key topics that contribute to transitioning to an equitable and regenerative economy. 

At a time where pessimism seems prevalent due to challenges including mental health, the climate crisis, and a pandemic, these constructive conversations shine a light on the positive change, action, and solutions already in motion. In fact, there is much to be optimistic about. 

Proudly hosted by the Morris Group and Rewild Agency, these events serve to bring together a broad cross section of people from business and community who want to learn, share practical information, synthesize new ideas, collaborate and scale up local action.

Net Optimism: Markets for protecting nature 

How do we protect nature by pricing natural capital and environmental services? Are we limiting the value of nature by calculating it as a financial product or is this the only way to drive action? What are the opportunities for businesses who look beyond the carbon lens? This panel will explore innovation in environmental markets which deliver financial value while improving biodiversity.

Join Hayley Morris (Rewild Agency, Impact Sustainability and Morris Group) as she facilitates a diverse panel discussion, between Nigel Sharp - CEO, Triverton Agriculture Impact Fund, Carolyn Suggate - Director, Organic Investment Cooperative and Anjali Nelson - General Manager - Operations, GreenCollar.

About the Speakers

Hayley Morris - Director, Rewild Agency / Founder, Impact Sustainability / Executive Director, Morris Group

Hayley has been working with businesses and their sustainability strategies for over 15 years. She is a Director of Rewild Agency, a strategic consultancy and founder of Impact Sustainability, a SaaS platform that support businesses to manage their sustainability and carbon footprint.

In her role as Executive Director of her Family Office, the Morris Group, Hayley leads the Group’s sustainability across their businesses which span hospitality, tourism, brewing, aviation, and agriculture. Hayley also leads her family’s philanthropy and impact investments through the Morris Family Foundation with a focus on climate change and regenerative food systems.

Hayley is the co-founder and Chair of environmental non-profit Sustainable Table, and a board member of The Next Economy. 

Nigel Sharp - CEO, Triverton Agriculture Impact Fund

Nigel Sharp is an Australian environmentalist and biodiversity recovery practitioner known for his work throughout Australia with threatened species conservation, regenerative and sustainable agriculture, biodiversity sensitive urbanism and indigenous enterprise development. Nigel began his career as a rural property valuer, which led to senior positions across the property funds management industry, including being CEO of an ASX listed property fund. In 2000 he acquired the predator-free ecosystem known as Mt Rothwell in Little River, Victoria and built his knowledge in biodiversity and threatened species recovery, introducing breeding programs for species such as the Eastern Quoll, Eastern barred bandicoot, Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby and many others.

Subsequently, Nigel founded several environmental focused organisations, most notably Tiverton Rothwell Partners, Tiverton Agriculture Impact Fund, Dragonfly Enviro Capital and not-for-profit Odonata Foundation. Nigel works with investors and philanthropists to catalyse funds for the betterment of the planet and First Nations Self Determination.

Carolyn Suggate - Director, Organic and Regenerative Investment Cooperative

Carolyn is an ambitious, collaborative, community minded, rural woman from North East Victoria. Having grown up in Agriculture, she understands meaningful ways to enact long term and powerful change in sustainable food and agricultural systems. Through her concern around the preservation of family farms and businesses she founded ORICoop in 2017. A Co-operative that brings together organic and biodynamic producers around Australia, enabling better market options and more transparency for their products as well as enabling co-investment pathways and developing a value measure for improved land stewardship.

This system design includes strategic farmer owned solutions, that includes Australia’s first Ecological Credit. This was designed to enable a sustainable finance mechanism to support producers in their transition to better and more sustainable outcomes while producing food that sustains biodiversity and supports more sustainable agriculture. ORICoop also connects businesses in their journey beyond Net-Zero within their own supply chain in our urgent need for transition in agriculture, food and business.

Anjali Nelson - GM Operations, GreenCollar

Anjali has been engaged in the carbon sector since 2009 with a focus on innovating nature-based solutions to climate change. She has led the development of UN Award winning projects in the Pacific and brings this experience to building GreenCollar’s portfolio of innovating and high-integrity projects. In 2022, Anjali led the development of GreenCollar’s NaturePlus Standard for the Nature Positive market. Anjali now oversees GreenCollar’s broader operations with ongoing oversight of the company’s international safeguards work. She has degrees in International Relations and Politics, with a Masters of Environment from the University of Melbourne.

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About Rewild Agency:

Rewild Agency is a sustainability advisory team who help organisations develop their sustainability plans and transform them into action. Through our strategy setting, design (ESD), measurement, communication, and education services we work with organisations to embed sustainability at the heart of their operations. Our holistic approach defines both the big-picture and day-to-day detail of what sustainability means for each organisation we work with. We offer guidance through the certifications to match ambitions. Underpinning everything we do is communication and education. Because progress is driven by people, not plans.

About Morris Group:

Morris Group is an independent family-run Australian business operating across tourism, hospitality, technology and aviation industries. The group is united by a shared commitment to operate sustainably and create positive impact for its people, the places in which it operates, and for the planet. Morris Group believe economic success and sustainability go hand-in-hand. Aiming to exceed a ‘tread lightly’ approach by strengthening and enriching the environments in which they work, the Morris Group actively restores, repairs and enhances the natural ecosystems they operate within, with a vision of success defined by strong communities, thriving environments and happy people.