HRH Dana Firas, Chair of INTO

The International National Trusts Organisation  (INTO) has recently reinforced its position linking cultural and natural heritage. Chair of INTO, HRH Princess Dana Firas, recently addressed leadership of Trusts from around the world at a hybrid event attended by more than 1,300 staff, volunteers and partners.

She set out a powerful case for treating nature and culture as a single, interdependent system, arguing that INTO members are uniquely placed to lead climate action and nature recovery by rooting it in people, place and long-term care and management. At the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), we have long recognised and advocated for Heritage as Climate Action, and the crucial role that links nature, people and culture.

‘Nature is not backdrop. Nature is not a resource. It is a living part of our culture.‘

– HRH Princess Dana Firas

A recent survey shows that global pressures are being felt across the INTO network, from funding stresses: to defining the role of National Trusts in today’s society: to generational change and embedding climate resilience in our work. However, by embracing natural heritage as a central pillar of our work in conservation and advocacy, there is so much value that we can bring to our communities.

INTO are working collaboratively through various projects, youth delegates and partners to bring powerful stories to COP31 later this year.  

‘Let us strengthen the bonds between people and place, between culture and nature, and between present and future. Let us care for nature through culture, and for culture through nature.’ 

– HRH Princess Dana Firas, Chair of INTO        

Find out more at:

INTO Climate and Heritage

INTO First Nations Youth at COP30