Landholders interested in grants to protect box-gum grassy woodlands, grey box and buloke grassy woodlands, or seasonal herbaceous wetlands on their property are invited to lodge an Expression of Interest with the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) by November 13.
Goulburn Broken CMA Senior Landscape Planner Jenny Wilson said these species were Threatened Communities listed under the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
“Through the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme, the Goulburn Broken CMA is delivering a Nationally Significant Ecosystems project that aims to protect these particular ecosystems on private land by providing incentives to landholders,” Dr Wilson said.
“These ecoystems typically include grey box, yellow box and bulokes and native grasses as well as seasonally herbaceous wetlands, which are dips in the paddock that only get filled by rainwater.”
The landholder incentives help with the costs of managing an area for conservation in accordance with a 10-year management agreement.
The grant maybe used for fencing, planting, off-stream watering points and/or weed and pest animal control.
“Protecting and improving these trees, shrubs and grasslands is important for many reason,” Dr Wilson said.
“These species provide important food, corridors and habitat for birds, insects, mammals and reptiles and boost farm productivity by helping manage water and soil nutrients, reducing erosion and salinity and providing carbon storage.
“Healthy and resilient landscapes and waterways also have aesthetic, tourism and recreational benefits that can be enjoyed by locals and visitors.
“As the majority of remnant vegetation in the catchment is on private land, we are keen to support landholders to protect and enhance these threatened communities for broader environmental, social and economic benefits.”
Landholders interested in finding out more about the grants can contact Jenny Wilson on (03) 5822 7700 or download an EOI form to register interest here.