North West Regional Landcarers

Seeding diverse native ground cover on farms for drought and climate resilience

This case study highlights North West Landcare’s participation in a five-year collaborative research project led by Western Sydney University. Working within a consortium, the project focuses on restoring diverse, drought-resilient native ground cover on farms to improve soil health, biodiversity, and climate resilience, while building capacity for regional communities to better withstand future drought.

Capacity building - LEP_13_RLC_06

The issue

Open grassy woodlands across NSW have been extensively cleared and degraded, reducing biodiversity, weakening soil health, and disrupting ecosystem function. This decline has contributed to ecosystem collapse, leaving regional landscapes less able to retain water, store carbon, and provide reliable forage. As a result, farming systems and rural communities are increasingly vulnerable to drought and climate change. The loss of diverse native ground cover further accelerates erosion and reduces resilience. Addressing this challenge requires rebuilding functional, drought-tolerant ground cover and restoring key ecosystem services to support sustainable agriculture, strengthen natural systems, and improve the long-term resilience of regional communities.

 

The solution

Over the five-year project (July 2025–June 2030), the Consortium’s Resilient Landscapes program will deliver transformative solutions by demonstrating proven methods to restore climate-resilient native ground cover across NSW. Using a whole-of-system approach—collect, produce, establish, manage, learn and share—the project will stabilise soils, improve water retention, increase carbon sequestration, and provide reliable forage. Supported by a significant investment from the Future Drought Fund and substantial co-investment, it will rebuild biodiversity, reconnect landscapes, and strengthen ecosystem services. By building knowledge and capacity, the project will leave a lasting legacy, enabling regional communities to better withstand future droughts.

The impact

This project is important because it directly addresses declining landscape health and increasing drought vulnerability across NSW. By restoring diverse native ground cover, it improves soil stability, water retention, and carbon storage, which are critical for sustainable farming. Stronger ecosystem function supports biodiversity and more reliable forage, reducing risk for farmers during dry periods. The project also builds knowledge and capacity within regional communities, enabling long-term adoption of resilient practices. Ultimately, it strengthens natural capital, supports agricultural productivity, and helps communities adapt to climate change, ensuring more stable livelihoods and healthier, more resilient landscapes into the future.

 

Author: Mandy Craig

Key facts

  • Associate Professor Paul Rymer from Western Sydney University Visits Consortium partners North West Landcarers in Tamworth.
  • North West Regional Landcarers Inc is committed to contribute to steering group, node group, expert group and consortium meetings throughout the project from codesign, collect, produce, establish, learn and share stages.
  • Other consortium members: University of New England, Charles Sturt University; Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Biodiversity Conservation Trust; NSW Local Land Services; NSW Landcare; Laguna Native Grains; Yarrabin; Grant and Keogh Farms.

Project Partners