Collaborating to deliver Land for Wildlife
As a Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance member, BLI partnered with Great Eastern Ranges and WWF-Australia to deliver Land for Wildlife Assessments as part of their Cores, Corridors and Koalas project on the Dorrigo Plateau, with part of the funding supplying a skilled botanist to tour each property and train the landholders and BLI staff in plant ID.
Self sustenance - LEP_23 _033_LLC_BLI_04
The issue
1. Bellinger Shire has incredible biodiversity and a vast array of plant community types, so the plant species lists for Land for Wildlife visits tend to be slow and/or not comprehensive when visiting regions the coordinator is less familiar with.
2. While there is some reimbursement for the delivery of each LFW assessment, it does not cover the full staff cost of the program, and whilst this is seen as a worthwhile in kind contribution by Bellinger Landcare, it is a cost nonetheless.
The solution
1. By partnering with Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance in the delivery of their part of the project Cores Corridors and Koalas project, Bellinger Landcare was able to contract expert assistance in the identification of plateau plant species, as well as some basic instruction of both property owners and Landcare staff in plant ID. This was further enhanced by inviting a local landholder with considerable botanical knowledge, who has now become a volunteer land for wildlife assessor on the plateau.
2. A portion of the funds was also used to offset the BLI staff time which the regular Land for Wildlife reimbursement does not cover, and through the project we attracted a new volunteer assessor for the plateau, which will save staff time (staff will still go on the visit, but wont have to do all the paperwork).
The impact
Landholders came away with a better appreciation for the plant species on their property, and landcare staff and volunteers now have more knowledge for future visits. The plant lists produced at the time were more comprehensive and the accompanying iNaturalist surveys more thorough.