Promoting Revegetation and Environmental Connectivity
Teaching landholders how to identify native plants and the benefits of retaining native plants on their property
Capacity to Deliver - LP011-026
The issue
Members of Hay Plains Landcare identified gaps in knowledge amongst landholders around the importance of native vegetation, plant identification and species selection. The group also wanted to encourage community members and landholders to learn about and implement biodiversity in gardens and properties and identify future planning needs to develop a community native garden.
Native plants are recognised as indicators of the suitability of land for agriculture, yet many people find it hard to identify one plant from another.
The solution
Hay Plains Landcare hosted a Field Trip to the renowned ‘Zara’ Conservation Sandhill with Martin Driver to see a wonderfully conserved ecosystem after an above average rainfall year.
Martin Driver is a highly experienced Ecologist and Project Manager with the Australian Network for Plant Conservation. He is passionate about the production and ecological roles of native vegetation in agricultural landscapes and supporting landowners to meet their objectives in management and restoration. Martin is also owner of Conargo property "Barrabool" in the Riverina region of NSW and has included many practical revegetation strategies into its operations.
The Field trip provided information on native plant management and identification, the benefits of retaining a locally native remnant vegetation site and the suitability of native species to be grown in different landscapes.
Native plant photo ID booklets were given to participants to help identify local native vegetation.
A filmmaker also came along, to film the event and produce a short video highlighting the benefits of retaining native vegetation while promoting Hay Plains Landcare and MLI.
The impact
This field day has:
- Increased knowledge of the local and surrounding communities and their land owners.
- Increased landholder capacity.
- Increased region-specific vegetation.
- Produced a 3 minute film for others to benefit from the field trip.
Key facts
- The diversity of vegetation communities and the benefits of retaining a locally native remnant vegetation site
- 25 participants Improved knowledge and skills in plant identification and revegetation and managing local native sites on their property
- Hay Plains Landcare made many social connections