Group efforts to conserve this spectacular green parrot by protecting existing habitat and planting more have seen substantial on-ground progress. The collaborative projects led by the NSW Government’s Saving our Species program involve a diverse range of partners including:
These partners are uniting their unique skills and passions to address habitat loss by protecting mature trees with hollows crucial for breeding success, and by planting thousands of new trees and shrubs to increase habitat and landscape connectivity for the birds.
Greening Australia has partnered with Saving our Species since 2017, delivering important on-ground restoration to over 1,000 hectares of Superb Parrot Box Gum woodland habitat in southern NSW, and over 400 hectares of newly established Sandhill Pine and Box-Gum woodland habitat, both of which are threatened woodland communities.
Achieving this in less than a decade is a significant positive result, said Saving our Species Superb Parrot project coordinator, Dr Damon Oliver.
“To have a practitioner partner such as Greening Australia who can cover all aspects of a restoration project, including monitoring, engagement and reporting, makes the Saving our Species superb parrot project cost-effective and successful.”
Greening Australia Program Specialist Nicki Taws said the survival of this highly mobile bird relies on the availability of suitable habitat across a broad sweep of inland NSW farmland.
“The expertise of the Saving our Species team and researchers at the Australian National University has helped us prioritise breeding areas within this wider region so that the project can have its greatest impact.
“Landholders can also benefit from the plantings providing windbreaks and shade and shelter for livestock. Once farmers can see that restoring habitat in strategic ways across their property not only helps native biodiversity but also improves value for stock and pastures, they are keen to do more.”
These projects are also benefitting local communities by employing local businesses for everything from graphic design and catering to sign making and fencing.
These projects have achieved outstanding on-ground outcomes so far, thanks to the teamwork, knowledge sharing, skills, shared commitment and cost-saving initiatives brought by each partner involved. Efforts to protect and restore woodland habitat on farms continue, with momentum and interest in these projects building.
This article is adapted from one shared by Saving our Species in their June 2024 issue of Partnering with Purpose (subscribe to receive future issues).
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