On Farm Bush Bonanza in Lockhart
Sharing the Story of local farming legends
Collaborations - LEP23_036_LLC3_3
The issue
Steve and Cheryl Mathews have a property with a good creek line through it, but unfortunately the creek often overflowed and caused erosion and flooding. The floods could be so severe that the water entered the shearing shed, causing damage and delays as the shed was restored to working condition. The farm was a mixed farm with aging trees down the creek line and little shrub layer or younger trees coming along to replace the old sentinels. Native grasses and rushes were also lacking in the creek line. Steve also felt his mental health declining with the pressures of farming.
The solution
The Matthews’ received a grant from the then Catchment Management Authority (now Local Land Services) for 12km of fencing along the creek line in 2009. Where possible the area was direct seeded by Murray Local Land Services Seed Services. The species selected were all endemic to the region. This was done to enhance the local habitat and encourage local flora and fauna to the area. As the property is a mixed farm with cropping and grazing it still had to remain financially viable. Producing a whole farm plan was essential to work out the area that could be successfully revegetated to enhance native habitat.
The impact
In 2024, a field day was held to showcase the success of the Matthews’ creek restoration. The Bush Bonanza was a great success with 17 participants. Camera traps were put up in the property the week before to capture wildlife calling ‘Pinevale’ home. Ringtail Possums and a Squirrel Glider were detected which delighted the crowd. Mason Crane from the Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) presented a Conservation Award to Steve and Cheryl to acknowledge them signing a Conservation Agreement with the BCT. Steve’s mental health has improved greatly as a result of the biodiversity block on the farm
Learnings
Landholders who increase biodiversity on their farms often use areas that are not suitable for cropping to improve habitat which has the additional benefit of conserving natural environments for endangered species.
Key facts
- Biodiversity Conservation Trust offers conservation agreements to support NSW landholders
- 1,000 trees have been established
- 51 species of bird have been recorded