'The lives of present and future South Australians will be enriched by the conservation of our natural and cultural heritage.'

Although established under an Act of Parliament in South Australia in 1955, the National Trust is not a Government body and relies on membership fees, sponsorship and museum entry fees for its survival.

The National Trust in South Australia has active programs in three areas:

	Managing heritage buildings and nature reserves including over sixty museums and folk history collections.
	Devising and disseminating policies on a range of heritage issues and lobbying for improved protection of our heritage.
	Providing awareness raising programs in the broader community on cultural and natural heritage matters.

With over 100 historic buildings, including Collingrove Homestead in Angaston, Ayers House on North Terrace and Beaumont House in Adelaide, as well as 28 nature reserves under its management, the National Trust is the largest community heritage organisation in South Australia.

The Trust generates 75% of its annual turnover through membership fees, sponsorship and the letting of its many properties. Funds generated through property leases are then channelled back into maintenance of those properties. Consequently the National Trust oversees bed & breakfast accommodation, function centres, fully operational pubs, horticultural developments as well as a large number of public museums and folk history collections.