Protecting endangered ecological communities of norther Nambucca
Protecting endangered ecological communities of norther Nambucca
Local Landcare Coordinator secures funding to protect three endangered ecological communities along the coastal zone
Taking Action -
LLCI033-083
The issue
Tucked behind a favourite local surf spot, down sandy and rutted road just north Nambucca Heads, sit three endangered ecological communities - Swamp Sclerophyll, Coastal Salt Marsh, and Littoral Rainforest, all superb representations of these rare vegetation communities. The area provides a corridor to EECs to the north as a recognised climate change corridor, support essential ecosystem services, and hold immense cultural and educational value given their proximity to the population center.
Despite their importance and resilience to date, these ecosystems are now under serious threat from invasive weeds from a disturbed site in the north and from the adjacent urban zone. Weeds are spreading rapidly, out-competing native shrub and groundcover species, reducing fauna habitat and sources of food.
The solution
Through funding from the Local Landcare Initiative, Nambucca Valley Landcare's new local coordinator was tasked with identifying new sources of funding and priority locations for restoration. Through interrogating vegetation mapping, followed by a site survey, the threat to these stunning areas was recorded. NVL coordinated a funding application, leveraging a contribution from the Nambucca Shire Council and NSW National Parks, and garnering support from a local Dunecare group to support activities. The application to the Environmental Trust’s Restoration and Rehabilitation Grant Program was successful, awarding a total of $95K to protect the EECs of northern Nambucca.
The impact
Through securing financial resources, leveraging those resources, NVL’s Local Landcare Coordinator has initiated a project to restore and protect nationally significant habitat. Further, garnering community support with supervised and resourced volunteer bush regeneration, along with capacity building events, the long-term protection of this area will be managed by an engaged, empowered, and resourced group of people, so that generations to come might find this secluded patch of incredible coastal bushland.
Key facts
- LLCI funding provided support for a Local Landcare Coordintor to identify threats to endaangered ecological communities
- The Local Landcare Coordinator was able to seucre resources, council and community support to protect the area through the Environmental Trust's Restoration and Rehabilitation Grant Program