Financial help for biodoversity projects on offer

Funding to support habitat conservation opens again in the middle of this month. Landholders will be able to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to undertake on-ground works that will help conserve biodiversity while having a primary production co-benefit.

Last year’s projects are now complete and the coming years will demonstrate the benefits of native shelterbelts and fencing of private wetlands to increase native plant and animal species diversity.

Limestone Coast residents Robert and Dianne Mignanelli (pictured) from Reedy Creek used funding for a fencing project that will protect remnant Mallee vegetation on their property. The area was fenced to keep stock from an area of land so that native plants could rejuvenate.

“The Habitat Conservation grant has enabled us to fence off approx. 17 hectares to support vegetation and provide the chance for native plants to re-establish in the landscape. Fencing off the Mallee vegetation has also assisted us with managing stock,” Robert said.

“The vegetation that is now protected from grazing will also give our stock a shelterbelt; having this balance is important for creating a sustainable future for the next generation,” Dianne said.

Landholders with ideas for future conservation projects are encouraged to check our website for further information about the grants. Project ideas that may be considered are; fencing to protect wetlands or native vegetation, revegetation projects and planting shelterbelts.

For more information call the Limestone Coast Landscape Board on (08)8429 7550 or visit the website www.landscape.sa.gov.au/lc