For restoration projects

SO YOU WANT TO LIST A PROJECT? 

We love it that you are committed to improving the water quality and biodiversity of your local waterway. There are two things about listing your project with us:

1. You need to be, or have, a Field Partner, and 

2. You need to be prepared to do some crowdfunding (see below). 

Once you’ve got to grips with these, contact us to get the ball rolling. 

Become, or have, a Field Partner

A Field Partner is an organisation which has signed an MOU with us.

We need to work with Field Partners because:

1. The staff at Million Metres  cannot be at all places at once, so Field Partners are required to manage stream restorations, from council approvals through planning, spot spraying, nursery liaison and volunteer management.
2. Being a Field Partner, or having one, gives us and donors reassurance that their money will be spent as promised, and that the plants that they have paid for will survive.

Typically Field Partners are already experienced in the on-the-ground delivery of riparian restoration projects and know the processes and best practice for riparian restoration. Such organisations can be regional, district or city councils and community restoration groups. The MOU is a simple agreement which lays out what the Field Partner and we will deliver in terms of project delivery and reporting. Contact our Project Manager about becoming a Field Partner. 

The crowdfunding bit

What is crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding is asking a crowd to each put a small amount of money to a common cause.

So while each individual is giving a small, and affordable, donation; the cumulative effect of this action results in thousands of dollars towards a common goal.

Crowdfunding is a very old concept – the pedestal for the Statue of Liberty was crowdfunded in 1882. The difference now is we have technology and the internet to make it simpler, easier, and more widely accessible.

What we fund?

We will fund the plants, and any costs associated with getting the plants in the ground, such as contract labour for planting, weed matting, fertiliser tabs, and plant delivery to the site.

What we do (how we are different from other websites):

Just like other crowdfunding websites, we provide the “platform” that brings the parties together to make the fundraising happen.

• We upload your project page onto the wesbite; and
• Once your campaign is running, we provide your donors with email updates on your fundraising campaign, your planting and water quality or biodiversity outcomes annually.

How we differ from other platforms: 

• You don’t have to provide your donors with a tangible gift – as long as you provide information for the ongoing story, a donor knowing they have made a difference to the environment is reward in itself;
• Compared to other crowdfunding websites which take fees ranging from zero to 30% or more, we take 15%. This covers our running costs however long term we aim to gain a sponsor so we take zero;
• We have our own network of sustainability minded individuals and organisations which are eager to support the platform, and provide small amounts of funding by offsetting their carbon emissions (non-accredited); and
• By using Field Partners, we can give donors assurance that the riparian projects are credible and that best practice is being used in riparian planting;

What you’ll need to do:

1. Know your story

People like to give to a good cause. The way people identify with a cause is through story. Your story is the story of your land, and your involvement in its restoration. It’s the wider community benefit of a healthy waterway.

2. Provide content for your page on our website

You tell your story through your content – in particular, a crowdfunding video. The video is your chance to make sure your networks and audience understand the importance of the project.

Your video will be supported by field notes that outline the technical aspects of your project. You’ll also be expected to provide a thank-you message to those who donate.

Once you’re in touch with us, we’ll provide you with a detailed guide for providing content for your page. 

3. Define your networks

Before you launch your campaign, you’ll need to know how you’re going to promote it. The first five days of any crowdfunding project are vitally important as they provide the momentum for the rest of the campaign.

Your whole team will have their own networks, and the most effective crowdfunding projects contact everyone they know to inform them of the project.

4. Run your campaign

Your campaign is 30 days (or however long your campaign will be) of hard slog. You’ll be contacting everyone you know, as well as local press to let them know what’s going on.

You’ll need to be committed to success, and campaign promotion for the entire period to succeed. Ask us for the Million Metres crowdfunding toolkit when you’re ready to plan your campaign. 

5. Provide follow-up data

Your donors want to know that you’ve done what you said you would.

We will email annual updates to your donors, complete with anecdotal, visual, and scientific evidence of improvements in your stream health. But you have to give us the information first!