Four local Landcare bushfire recovery projects have been selected to aid in the recovery of native wildlife and habitat in seven regions severely impacted by the Black Summer bushfires.
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Federal Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie said Landcare Australia and the National Landcare Network are co-ordinating the projects which include Mid Coast 2 Tops Landcare, ALL Sustainable Futures, Hastings Landcare and Luskintyre Landcare Group.
"Our unique native plants and animals are already benefitting thanks to the on-the-ground efforts from Landcare and other community groups, but there is still work to be done," Dr Gillespie said.
"These new projects will build on the broad range of recovery activities already being carried out by Landcare and other community groups in the wake of the fires.
"It is vitally important that we continue to do this work so that our native iconic species, can return to their natural environments and thrive."
"Our local Landcare volunteers are perfectly placed to see the roll-out of this funding in our towns and villages that were affected during the Black Summer Bushfires," Dr Gillespie said.
"These are part of more than 100 new projects that will not only directly support native species recovery, but also provide benefit for bushfire-affected communities and landholders."
In the Hastings, ALL Sustainable Futures at Lower Pappinbarra received $299,854 to rehabilitate the Pappinbarra River riparian corridor by fencing the river. This project will help exclude livestock while allowing native animals to move across the landscape.
The team will also carry out erosion control measures to restore eroded river banks; collect and growi local seed species; replant riparian corridor with endemic species that support bank stabilisation, food and shelter for specific threatened species such as platypus, powerful owl, koalas; remove weed species to encourage native regeneration; and capacity build current landholders to maintain riparian health via field days for landowners in the Pappinbarra, Hastings, Thone and Wilson rivers.
They will also develop electronic learning materials to foster commitment and skills in future land managers (Tocal College Agriculture students) to improve riparian health.
By completion, ALL Sustainable Futures will achieve a more resilient community with the skills and commitment to continue to improve riparian health for natural disaster mitigation. The riparian corridor will less eroded, and in a more resilient state.
Hastings Landcare received $50,000 for post fire threatened species habitat recovery.
Their Hollows in the Hastings project aims to install 190 nesting boxes and artificial hollows across 19 properties in the Hastings region.
Boxes will cater specifically for threatened owl species and their prey. Species likely to use the boxes include powerful owl, masked owl and sooty owl.
The smaller 'prey' boxes and hollows have potential to help additional threatening species such as yellow-bellied glider, squirrel glider, greater glider and micro bat species.
Hastings Landcare will choose 19 suitable properties post expression of interest. Nesting boxes will be monitored annually, via wireless nest box camera, by landholders who will then report to Landcare and Charles Sturt University.
These results will influence Landcare's nesting box programs into the future. Project partners include The Hastings Bird Watchers, Charles Sturt University and private landholders.
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