LANDCARE NSW AND TRANSPORT FOR NSW BUSHFIRE REVEGETATION PROJECT PLANTS OVER 30,000 TREES

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!”

Media Release: Landcare NSW welcomes federal grants for regions impacted by Black Summer

Landcare NSW welcomes grants of approximately $50,000 and $300,000 now available for local bushfire recovery projects in regions impacted by Black Summer bushfires

 21st May, 2021

Local Landcare groups, environment networks and community groups working on bushfire recovery projects can now access funding of approximately $50,000 in a landmark new grants program funded by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.

Recently announced by Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley, the $14 million Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants program is supporting recovery projects in seven government designated regions impacted by the Black Summer bushfires in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia, four of which are in NSW.

NSW Landcare communities in the NSW North Coast and Tablelands, NSW Greater Blue Mountains and World Heritage area, forests of the NSW South Coast, NSW alpine environments are target areas for the funding.

In addition to funding of approximately $50,000, landscape-scale partnerships working together on bushfire recovery projects can also access funding of approximately $300,000.

Landcare NSW CEO, Dr Adrian Zammit said the funding will ensure that community-led environmental activities will be delivered in the most vulnerable bushfire-impacted regions.

“Our communities have been ravaged by fire, drought and flood and this funding will benefit habitats and landscapes through landscape restoration, improving biodiversity and supporting community resilience.”

“From revegetation and regeneration projects to invasive species control, data collection and community engagement, the diversity of funding will ensure all bushfire impacted communities have the support they need to rebuild and recover.”

The grants program will be co-delivered by all the relevant peak state Landcare bodies who will work together to support project applicants, and coordinate a wide range of high-impact on-ground community and environmental projects over the next 12 months for community landcare.

Applications for grants will remain open until June 16 with successful applicants notified late June.

To apply and for further information visit www.landcareledbushfiregrants.org.au

Available for interview

Landcare NSW CEO, Dr Adrian Zammit

This grants program is jointly managed by Landcare Australia and the National Landcare Network, delivered in conjunction with Queensland Water and Land Carers, Landcare NSW, Landcare ACT, Landcare Victoria, and the Landcare Association of South Australia to mobilise, build capacity, increase participation and support Landcare and community groups, landowners, land managers and other partners for improved delivery of bushfire recovery actions. 

The Program has been supported by the Australian Government’s Bushfire Recovery Program for Wildlife and their Habitat