Watercourses are some of the most degraded areas in our landscape and on our farms. But a well managed riparian zone is an asset to any landholder, improving landscape function, productivity and increasing property values. Local native vegetation is the key.

Watershed Landcare's 'Connecting Our Waterways' project aims to restore and improve the connectivity of riparian vegetation in our region. The project will provide incentives to landholders to improve the condition of their riparian vegetation.

'Riparian vegetation' refers to the plants growing on the banks of rivers or creeks and along the edges of wetlands. A healthy, well functioning riparian ecosystem includes native trees, shrubs, grasses and forbs forming a complex structure of groundcover, understorey and canopy.

Some of the benefits of a healthy riparian ecosystem include improved water quality with an associated increase in stock health, a decrease in insect and bird pests that damage pastures and crops, provision of windbreaks and shelter which can lead to improved stock growth and productivity through reduction of heat or cold stress, increased channel stability and reduced erosion risk, and even an increase in capital value of land and potential opportunities for diversification such as eco-tourism.

So how do we improve or restore the riparian vegetation on our farms?

The most effective activities for improving or rehabilitating riparian vegetation include:

• removing weeds, such as willows,

• replanting with appropriate native plants,

• fencing to exclude or manage stock access.

The 'Connecting Our Waterways' project will provide individual landholders funding of up to $5500 to carry out on-ground works, including materials or labour for fencing to exclude/manage livestock in riparian corridors; troughs, pumps, etc. to provide alternate stock water; tube stock, tree guards, labour for planting, and willow removal.

Expressions of interest close on 31 July.

For more information and an EOI form contact Agness Knapik, Watershed Landcare Co-ordinator, on 0435 055 493 or info@watershedlandcare.com.au

This project is supported by Watershed Landcare through funding from Landcare Australia and the Jaramas Foundation.