Land for Wildlife - Features, services & qualifications
Features
It's Free - there are no fees. The scheme recognises the significant contribution being made by landholders.
Voluntary - landholders make a personal commitment to the scheme. They may withdraw at any time if they wish.
Free of legal binds - Land for Wildlife status doesn’t alter the legal status of a property in any way. It does not convey the right of public access (for hunting or any other purpose) nor does it mean that the area is an official wildlife sanctuary prohibiting hunting all year.
Support network - the scheme has a network of extension officers and community volunteers around the State. Each property is visited and assessed.
Inclusive - Farms, bush blocks, parks, school grounds, golf-courses, municipal reserves, cemeteries, scout and youth camps, tourist enterprises, Commonwealth land, prisons, industrial land; small and large properties, are eligible.
Cooperative - the scheme has a co-operative relationship with the Bird Observers Club of Australia, a community organisation.
Groups - can also be registered (ask for our group brochure). Group registration is particularly suited to a number of small blocks or several larger properties with a 'landscape approach' to wildlife habitat.
Services
1. An on site visit to provide advice and answer questions
2. Advice about how you can contribute to biodiversity conservation
3. Field days, neighbourhood days, open-properties and information sessions
4. A regular Land for Wildlife newsletter
5. Land for Wildlife Notes with detailed information on specific topics
6. A Land for Wildlife sign if the property is fully registered.
*These services are free-of-charge. The Land for Wildlife sign remains government property and is returned to the government if the property is sold or the landholders no longer remain as members. A small fee, payable to the landholder, may apply to entry to private property for open days.
Property qualifications
Some landholders who are already integrating nature conservation with other land management objectives qualify immediately. Other applicants can ‘work towards’ registration.Some ways of incorporating nature conservation on your property are:
- Retaining and protecting remnant vegetation
- Allowing leaf litter, fallen logs and branches to accumulate in habitat areas
- Fencing areas near native bush to allow regeneration
- Restricting livestock access to stream banks
- Fencing natural wetlands
- Leaving river snags in place for fish habitat
- Protecting dead trees with hollows
- Planting local native trees shrubs and grasses
- Constructing a wildlife dam (with an island, shallows and natural vegetation)
- Controlling pets, environmental weeds, rabbits and foxes.