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21 October 2009
Land for Wildlife program launched
Byron Shire Council launched Land for Wildlife today - Wednesday 21 October.
Land for Wildlife is a voluntary property registration scheme that encourages and supports landholders to manage areas of their property for wildlife habitat.
“We are excited to be able to offer the Land for Wildlife program for the first time in the Shire” said Council’s biodiversity extension officer, Wendy Neilan.
“Private landholders, groups of individuals, schools and other government bodies who manage land with 1 hectare or more of High Conservation Value vegetation are eligible to apply.
“Byron Shire Council recognises the significant contribution being made by private landholders to nature conservation in the Shire. Land for Wildlife is about recognising this contribution and supporting people to manage areas of their land for wildlife habitat.
“Through joining the program, participants will receive advice and ongoing support to achieve land restoration goals¸ learn about local plants and animals, creating habitat and how to incorporate nature conservation into overall property management.
”There are also many benefits of becoming part of a network with likeminded people,” she said.
Accord to Ms Neilan, experience in other regions has shown membership in Land for Wildlife can become contagious. She said neighbours seeing the improvements happening next door, become motivated to join the network and connectivity in the landscape is increased.
“Another added benefit is that improvement in biodiversity values often leads to an increase in the productivity of land. For example restoring vegetation along creek lines can improve water quality and stabilise creek banks against erosion.”
Mayor Jan Barham officially launched the program and recognised the first group of landholders registered for Land for Wildlife in the Shire at Keith and Rhonda Wrigley’s property at The Pocket.
The Wrigley’s is a working cattle property with areas of High Conservation Value vegetation including rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest, and is home to 17 rare and threatened plant species. It is also home to a diversity of local wildlife including 90 bird species, platypus, wallabies, bandicoots, microbats, snakes, lizards and frogs.
Ms Neilan said Keith and Rhonda have incorporated nature conservation goals into their overall farm plan. Their registration as one of the first Land for Wildlife properties in the Shire and is a well-deserved acknowledgement of this commitment to provide habitat for wildlife.
For more information on Land for Wildlife including how to apply to become a registered property go to Council’s website at www.byron.nsw.gov.au/land-for-wildlife or contacting Byron Shire Council’s Biodiversity Extension Officer on 66267119 or email: mailto:biodiversity@byron.nsw.gov.au
Who is eligible?
Land for Wildlife welcomes landholders who:
- Have a property with at least 1 hectare of native vegetation mapped as High Conservation Value (HCV) or within a wildlife corridor,
- Manage part or all of their property as habitat for native plants and animals,
- Are interested in integrating nature conservation with other land uses, such as agriculture or tourism.
A “working towards” registration category is available to landholders who do not qualify for full registration at the first property visit.
Neighbouring properties may join together and apply for group registration.
What landholders receive
Landholders who qualify for registration receive:
- A site assessment of vegetation, significant flora and fauna, habitat values and management issues
- a Land for Wildlife sign in recognition of their commitment to wildlife conservation.
- ongoing support and advice through - workshops, field days, newsletters
END.
Media Contact: Donna Johnston
Media Communications Officer
Byron Shire Council
Ph: 02 6626 7320
Byron Shire is located at Australia's eastern-most point with a population of almost 29,000. It is a thriving community where residents and visitors live, work and play in a sustainable environment and where Council strives to deliver the highest standard of local government services and infrastructure.
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