Project Terra Nova — Bonorong Correspondence
Correspondence between Sarah Ironbach, Assistant Director of Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, and Brad Coleman of the Guardian Conservation Initiative. The emails span mid to late July 2018, confirming arrangements for an initial site assessment of a proposed wildlife sanctuary project. References are made to prior demonstrations by a mutual contact named Melanie and the need for strict confidentiality regarding the project's unconventional nature.
From: Sarah Ironbach
To: Brad Coleman
Date: 25 July 2018, 5:47 PM
Subject: RE: Sunday Confirmed
Brad,
Perfect. Grant and I will be ready. Bags have been packed for a week now — I think he's reorganised the equipment checklist three times.
See you Sunday.
Sarah
From: Brad Coleman
To: Sarah Ironbach
Date: 25 July 2018, 4:12 PM
Subject: Sunday Confirmed
Sarah,
Melanie's confirmed everything on her end. Sunday afternoon works — I'll arrive around 2pm.
Looking forward to finally meeting you both in person.
Brad
Brad Coleman
Project Coordinator
TerraNova Conservation Foundation
From: Sarah Ironbach
To: Brad Coleman
Date: 11 July 2018, 2:18 PM
Subject: RE: Access Granted
Brad,
We're in. Grant's already halfway through the Phase 0 documentation — I had to physically pull him away for a meeting this morning.
The scope is extraordinary. I have questions, obviously, but Melanie said to direct those through the portal rather than email. Understood.
Thank you for this opportunity. I know I keep saying that, but I'm not sure I'll ever stop meaning it.
Sarah
From: Brad Coleman
To: Sarah Ironbach
Date: 11 July 2018, 9:33 AM
Subject: Access Granted
Sarah,
You and Grant should now have access to the project portal. Melanie's uploaded the site documentation, preliminary surveys, and the Phase 0 briefing materials. Review everything before our meeting — there's a lot to cover, and I'd rather spend our time on questions than basics.
The portal uses the credentials Melanie provided during her last visit. If you have any technical issues, contact her directly — she's faster at resolving those than I am.
Brad
From: Brad Coleman
To: Sarah Ironbach
Date: 18 June 2018, 11:05 AM
Subject: RE: Timeline Question
Sarah,
The two-week initial assessment is standard for all new site coordinators. It gives you time to understand the environment firsthand before committing to longer-term arrangements. Melanie can discuss the details of what comes after — that's outside my remit.
What I can confirm is that the Foundation is prepared to support the Bonorong transition for as long as necessary. Emma's capability assessment was part of our due diligence — we wouldn't have proceeded if we weren't confident your absence could be managed.
Brad
From: Sarah Ironbach
To: Brad Coleman
Date: 17 June 2018, 3:22 PM
Subject: Timeline Question
Brad,
Quick question that Melanie suggested I direct to you: what happens after the two-week assessment? She mentioned "longer-term arrangements" but was vague on specifics. Grant and I want to understand what we're committing to before we finalise staffing coverage.
Emma's more than capable of running things here — that's not the concern. We just want to plan properly.
Sarah
From: Brad Coleman
To: Sarah Ironbach
Date: 23 May 2018, 2:14 PM
Subject: RE: Introduction — TerraNova Conservation Foundation
Sarah,
I appreciate your enthusiasm, and I'm glad Melanie's demonstrations have given you a sense of what's possible. She has a talent for showing rather than telling.
To answer your question directly: yes, this is real. I understand the instinct to doubt — most people in your position would. But you've seen what you've seen, and I suspect you've already moved past the question of whether to believe toward the question of what to do about it.
The Foundation has been building toward this for some time. Your expertise — yours and Grant's — represents exactly what we need for the next phase. Melanie will remain your primary contact for operational matters. I handle the administrative side: documentation, logistics, coordination with our broader network.
I've attached a preliminary briefing document. Read it, discuss it with Grant, and let me know what questions remain. Melanie's scheduled another visit for early June — she can address anything the document doesn't cover.
Brad
Brad Coleman
Project Coordinator
TerraNova Conservation Foundation
From: Sarah Ironbach
To: Brad Coleman
Date: 22 May 2018, 10:41 AM
Subject: RE: Introduction — TerraNova Conservation Foundation
Brad,
Thank you for reaching out. Melanie mentioned you'd be in contact, though I wasn't sure what to expect.
I'll be honest: if I hadn't seen what Melanie showed us, I would have dismissed your email as either a scam or a very elaborate joke. A "new frontier for conservation" sounds like marketing copy. But Grant and I have seen things that don't fit into any framework we were trained for, and we've spent the last two weeks trying to reconcile what we witnessed with what we thought we knew about the world.
We haven't succeeded. Which I suppose is the point.
Grant has questions — pages of them. I have fewer questions and more of a feeling, which is that whatever this is, it matters more than anything else we're likely to encounter in our careers. If that sounds naive, I apologise. But Melanie was very clear that you value commitment over caution, and I want you to know where we stand.
What happens next?
Sarah
From: Brad Coleman
To: Sarah Ironbach
Date: 20 May 2018, 9:17 AM
Subject: Introduction — TerraNova Conservation Foundation
Dear Ms Ironbach,
My name is Brad Coleman, and I'm reaching out on behalf of the TerraNova Conservation Foundation regarding a project that I believe will be of significant interest to you and your brother.
Our mutual associate, Melanie, has spoken highly of Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and the work you've accomplished there. She has indicated that you've recently been introduced to aspects of our work that most people never encounter, and that you've responded to that introduction with the openness and professionalism we seek in potential collaborators.
The Foundation operates conservation initiatives that extend beyond conventional boundaries. Melanie's role is to identify individuals whose expertise and disposition align with our needs. Based on her assessment, you and Grant represent ideal candidates for a project we're currently developing.
I won't elaborate on specifics in this format — Melanie has explained our preference for secure communications. Consider this an introduction and an invitation. Further details will follow through appropriate channels.
I look forward to working with you.
Regards,
Brad Coleman
Project Coordinator
TerraNova Conservation Foundation
