On the back of the very popular and successful GDL Paddock Tree Project in autumn 2022, Gunning District Landcare applied for funds from the Biala Wind Farm Community Grant at the end of 2022 to run the project again. We were delighted to receive around $20,000! This funding enabled us to increase the scale of the project, distributing 408 native trees, weed mats and sturdy guards to 18 properties in the Gunning region in 2023. 

We put out a call for expressions of interest in March, with landholders in the Gunning region offered 1-25 trees, weedmats and guards per property. It looked like the project was going to be under-subscribed so we increased the offer to 1-50 trees, weed mats and guards per property. These were quickly taken up!  

Protecting new paddock trees from stock and other annimals is the key to success, so we followed in the footsteps of other Landcare groups in the region (e.g. Hovells Creek Landcare, Upper Lachlan Landcare, Yass Landcare) by purchasing rolls of tough steel mesh to turn into sturdy tree guards. There were two guard sizes on offer: 1.2m high which is fine for sheep and other small animals, and 1.65m high which is good for cattle, horses and other large animals.

Applicants agreed to contribute $20 per small guard and $25 per large guard, and agreed to provide the steel posts to secure the guards. The landholder contribution meant that we could stretch the grant funds further, and it also gave the landholders a greater sense of investment in the project and the trees that they are establishing.

On Saturday 13th May, we held a working bee for participating landholders to cut up and collect their guards, seedlings and weed mat. It is a big job cutting up the guards, but it can be enjoyable when there are plenty of hands to help! The photos above are from this day.

There are a number of benefits for landholders being involved: with the high price of steel, participation in the project meant that landholders were paying less than half for the guards than if they were doing it alone; they had assistance in cutting up the mesh guards; they received appropriate Eucalypt seedlings, propagated by the Yass Landcare Nursery; it gave them access to the expertise from Gunning District Landcare volunteers; and it was a chance to meet other like-minded landholders in the region.  

Scattered paddock trees are vital in the Australian landscape, for wildlife, ecological health and productivity. You can read more about all these important benefits here.

Gunning District Landcare is proud of its Paddock Tree Project and is incredibly grateful to the Biala Wind Farm Community Grant for making it possible in 2023.