An entrepreneur commercialises conservation : The case of Earth Santuaris Ltd
Journal
Greener Management International
ISSN
0966-9671
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2002
Author(s)
Abstract
In this paper the author presents a case study of Earth Sanctuaries Ltd, an attempt by one entrepreneur to marry stock-market capitalism with native wildlife conservation. Launched in 1985, the company was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in 2000 and rapidly expanded to operate ten different sanctuaries. However, by early 2002, the company faced a number of major problems that threatened its survival, including difficulties relating to the uniqueness of its business model, cash-flow management, the process of securing capital from external investors and an overly ambitious growth agenda. The primary goal of" Earth Sanctuaries is to regenerate some of Australia's original ecosystems by eliminating introduced species and managing the land back to the point where original plant and animals can be successfully reintroduced. The firm then generates income via tourism, merchandise sales, accommodation and consulting services. The enterprise is the brainchild of Dr John Wamsley, who until recently also ran the firm as chief executive officer. The case study outlines the genesis of the original business idea by the founding entrepreneur, the history of the firm to date, the steps taken to ensure its survival and the lessons that can taken from this pioneering ecopreneurial project for other new entrepreneurial ventures.
Language
English
Keywords
Entrepreneur
HSG Classification
not classified
Refereed
No
Publisher
Interleaf Productions
Publisher place
Sheffield
Number
38
Start page
109
End page
116
Pages
8
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
3123