Private Land Conservation Matters (PLCM) – Murray Style

Recognising strengths in partnership

Self sustenance - LEP_23-020_RLC07

The issue

The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) partnered with Landcare NSW to raise awareness on the importance of conservation on private land. The aim of the Private Land Conservation Matters Project (PLC Matters) is to encourage more landholders to implement best practice conservation management on their land. It is aimed at the conservation community, including BCT agreement holders and Landcarers. The PLC Matters project supports landholders by delivering education and training opportunities and facilitating access to peer networks and support through Landcare and BCT regional staff.

The solution

The two-year $1.4M statewide partnership delivered 143 educational events and attracted 4115 attendees. A strength of the project was recognising that different communities need different approaches and that local landcare groups are well placed to co-design and host bespoke activities.

Working closely with the Murray-Riverina BCT team, the Murray region was responsible for 24% of the total events. Corowa District Landcare, West Hume Landcare, RGA Landcare, Western Murray Land Improvement Group and Holbrook Landcare Network collaborated to hold 14 events spread from Tumbarumba to Barham, as a well as inter-agency training opportunities.

The impact

Some of the topics covered included native grasslands and box-gum woodland management tips, highlighting local native wildlife, threatened species and natural capital on farms, how property covenants impact production decisions, building connections through Aboriginal cultural experiences and community togetherness.

The diverse range of activities enticed 427 participants to maintain ongoing connections with Landcare, the BCT and empowers landholders to continue conservation management into the future. The Private Land Conservation Matters project demonstrates the trust the NSW Government has in Landcare NSW as well as the value of investing in Landcare groups to support local action and builds on the significantly increased commitment to the land conservation efforts.

Further information on the individual events can be found on the Landcare group's websites and social media.

Private Land Conservation Matters | BCT Landcare NSW website

Landcare Co-ordinators in the Murray

Author: Paula Sheehan