Thursday, 04 April 2024 11:06

Habitat Restoration Planning Workshop

On March 24th, Gunning District Landcare partnered with Birdlife Australia to host a workshop addressing the decline of woodland bird species and the vital role of habitat restoration. The event, featuring speakers Margot Oorbeek from Birdlife Australia and Janet Heffernan of the Connectivity Crew, was both informative and inspiring.

Margot Oorbeek began the day with a presentation highlighting the challenges faced by woodland birds in our region. She outlined the stark reality: habitat loss, fragmentation, poor habitat condition, and invasive species have led to 51 species or sub-species classified as threatened or in significant decline in our region. Despite the sobering statistics, Margot underscored the potential for habitat restoration on private land to reverse this decline, benefitting both wildlife and agricultural productivity.

Following a lovely catered lunch, Janet Heffernan introduced us to the Habitat Prioritization Plan for the Upper Lachlan Shire (ULHCPP) and the Connectivity Crew. The ULHCPP identifies areas where revegetation projects may provide maximum conservation benefit, so that those areas may be preferentially targeted for further habitat enhancement within the Shire. The Connectivity Crew was formed within Upper Lachlan Landcare to help facilitate the implementation of the plan across the Shire. Previously, the Crew has helped facilitate funding opportunties for landholders, and continues to seek more opportunities.

Margot Oorbeek also discussed the Birds on Farms ACT-Yass Project, emphasizing its collaboration with rural landholders to restore woodland habitat. Through this project, one of their team members visits a landholder's property, performs a site inspecition, and develops a Habitat Restoration Plan tailored to the objectives of the landholder. The completed Habitat Restoration Plan will include all the necessary information needed to apply for funding opportunities in the future with ease. The Habitat Restoration Plans are provided at no cost and without any obligation to the landholder.

The activities outlined in the Plans will not only support bird populations but also enhance farm productivity through practices like shelterbelt establishment and creekline restoration.

The event concluded on a hopeful note, highlighting the potential for collective community action to address environmental challenges. If you'd like to have a look at the Powerpoint presentations from the day, visit the "Resources" tab on our website. For those interested in participating, further information about the project and Habitat Restoration Plans is available by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

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