Great Southern Landscapes

Linking Critical Habitat for Threatened Species on NSW Crown Land

To create and relink critical habitat for a host of threatened species including the Regent Honeyeater, Superb Parrot and the Koala, we are working with community groups and government to restore key areas of NSW Crown Lands.

Key Facts

60,000

Plants

100ha

To be revegetated

10

Threatened animals protected

3

Native plant species protected

3

Threatened ecological communities protected

To create and relink critical habitat for threatened wildlife, we are planting 60,000 trees across 187 hectares of Crown Lands in NSW alongside landholders, local communities and Australian Government Green Army teams. A host of threatened plant and animal species including the Regent Honeyeater, Superb Parrot and the Koala, are set to benefit from the new and improved habitat.

Crown Lands, which cover almost half of New South Wales, play a vital role by providing refuge for a broad range of species and linking key habitat areas.

On-ground work is being carried out across six environmentally significant sites including Fivebough wetland, Rowes Lagoon, Collector Reserve, Tharbogang, Bredbo Travelling Stock Route and Three Ways Reserve.

The Challenge

Crown Lands face a broad range of threats ranging from a loss of native grasslands and eucalypts due to heavy clearing and overgrazing, to unauthorised activity including illegal dumping of refuse, harvesting of firewood and motor bike riding.

The Solution

To help restore these valuable pieces of public land, we are working with community groups and government to restore habitat and enhance Crown Lands across New South Wales. The work will improve the value of the land and will result in multiple positive conservation outcomes for habitat, wildlife critical wetlands and regionally significant species and ecological communities.

Sites include areas like the Tharbogang, containing two Ecologically Endangered Communities (Mallee and Grey Box) as well as an Aboriginal cultural site, and Three Ways Reserve, an environmentally significant site designated for public recreation and conservation

Community involvement is a core component of the project, with local landholders and partners actively involved in revegetation activities, such as the planting of new trees and seedlings. Community and school planting days, run in partnership with organisations such as Landcare Australia, engage a broad range of groups and individuals and give people a sense of stewardship over their local environment.

The project is supported by the Australian Government’s 20 Million Trees Programme, part of the National Landcare Programme.

Project Officer

Graham Fifield

Land and Restoration Lead

Fascinated by the environment from a young age, Graham has worked with Greening Australia for more than 15 years. After studying environmental science and resource management, he completed his honours degree which focused on the relationship between sheep and trees on farms. On graduating he was employed by Greening Australia, and today works as our Land and Restoration Lead in the ACT and NSW.