Landcarers across NSW have planted over 30,000 trees as part of the Landcare NSW and Transport for NSW Bushfire Revegetation funding.
All planted within 50km of a bushfire affected zone, Landcare NSW Operations Manager, John McLoughlin, says the project was just another way Landcare is helping support projects that assist native flora and fauna back to health.
“The past two years have significantly affected our landscapes and our community. Our Landcare NSW community have done incredible work in supporting our landscapes in response to the destruction. Whether maintaining existing refuges, pest control so native species can recover, or revegetation works like tree planting they’ve been inspiring. This project is just one of the many ways they have helped,” says John.
“Indeed, many revegetation projects in the Northern Rivers were badly affected by the floods and so this funding helped repair the existing sites that were affected by both.”
Spread throughout all of NSW from Northern NSW hinterland to the Alpine regions, 28 Landcare NSW Member Groups put up their hand to plant trees by the end of June and despite COVID they rose to the challenge.
“The Landcare NSW & Transport for NSW Bushfire Revegetation Funding has been highly successful with 31,988 trees planted by 23 bushfire impacted community organisations across NSW. Our groups originally were planting 27,765 but there was a groundswell movement with many reporting in-kind plantings bringing our total to nearly 32,000!”
The plantings were held across 110 sites to ensure landscape scale restoration and a diversity of both geographic areas and native species benefiting for the project. Approximately over 300 different species endemic to the local landscape were planted as part of the project.
“Many of the trees planted will help support threatened species throughout NSW who are struggling in response to the bushfires. These include the glossy black cockatoo, koalas, glider species and flora and fauna. By investing in the further rehabilitation and development of local biodiversity this funding will ensure that threatened species are supported to recover.”
Whian Whian Landcare Group Member and Border Ranges Richmond Valley Local Landcare Coordinator, Emma Stone, said the funding was welcomed with open arms, with the flexibility being its strongest asset.
“This project had a target of 3,500 trees but with there was such fantastic support for the revegetation ventures that we achieved more and planted 4,668 trees in the ground.
“The project supported plantings on 17 properties which was nearly 50% of the Whian Whian Landcare membership and has really strengthened morale and motivation within the group with landholders working together to achieve the target.
“Our biggest focus is supporting existing species to recovery as well as planting next to existing corridors to provide species protection for animals such as the koala.
“There has already been expressions of interest to plant further trees and explore further opportunities like the Bushfire Revegetation Project and help our native wildlife recover!”
