The Black Summer bushfires devastated habitats across East Gippsland but local volunteers and communities are rallying together to restore and nurture impacted species.

With financial support from the WIRES Landcare Wildlife Relief and Recovery Grants, Far East Victorian Landcare is coordinating a citizen science project across the region aimed at monitoring the recovery of habitat and the diverse wildlife it supports including platypus, swamp wallabies and brown falcons.

Identifying key sites within each of the 12 impacted communities throughout East Gippsland, initial stage one activities will focus on monitoring and assessment of effected sites. Trail cameras will record both the activity and return of wildlife and simultaneously, the impacts of pest animals on habitat recovery.

“This will enable environmental volunteers and other interested groups, like schools for example, to undertake accurate fixed point photo monitoring of vegetation recovery over time,” explained spokesperson Penny Gray. “Monitoring the recovery of the flora will identify areas and species that are slow to recover or not recovering at all because the fire was too intense. This information will assist the community and potentially agencies in prioritizing areas for on-ground works or other recovery processes.”

Community volunteers will be trained in the use of the cameras and the uploading of data to a fixed point (it is expected this will be a web page which will be developed as part of the project) where results can be shared with the broader community and enhance subsequent stages of the coordinated project.

“The results would develop management plans that aim to improve habitat and wildlife recovery,” Penny added. “It could inform the strategic location of nest boxes, priority weeds and potential re-vegetation or habitat augmentation works that will lead to improved outcomes for wildlife in our bush fire affected ecosystems.”

Facilitated by unprecedented public appeals and donations, the $1million WIRES and Landcare Wildlife Relief and Recovery Grants is providing a crucial lifeline to the essential work of Far East Victorian Landcare other local Landcare environment networks and community groups working to restore bushfire impacted habitat across the country.

WIRES CEO Leanne Taylor said this grants scheme with Landcare Australia is committed to protecting and preserving Australian wildlife, habitat and local communities from the effects of climate change and extreme natural disasters.

Leanne said: “This partnership between Landcare Australia and WIRES is an important step towards the restoration and recovery of Australian wildlife and landscapes deeply scarred by the unparalleled impacts of bushfires and drought.”

Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish said the grants program will improve outcomes for wildlife support and associated habitat rehabilitation projects.

Dr Norrish said: “Through partnerships like this, Landcare Australia is getting on with the job of providing funding to local groups quickly and helping to drive and coordinate national bushfire and drought response with targeted high-priority actions, which are delivered on the ground by locals.”

Landcare Australia have announced more than $300,000 in grants to landcare groups, community groups and land managers who are undertaking crucial bushfire recovery projects.

Made possible due to the extraordinary volume of donations from generous organisations and private donors, the Landcare Australia Bushfire Recovery Grants will support 23 wide-ranging regeneration projects focusing on activities including impacted rainforest revegetation, nest boxes for decimated native species and feeding programs for endangered wildlife.

“This grants program is supporting farmers, Landcare groups and other community groups to overcome the impacts of the bushfires. Key issues for them include restoring essential wildlife habitat, getting on top of invasive weeds, erosion control and protection of our waterways and aquatic habitat. The funding came from generous donations during the bushfires from across the country and around the world, including our partners Brambles CHEP, Bushman’s Tanks, Bloom Aid and Hawkes Brewing.” Dr Shane Norrish, CEO Landcare Australia.

“I would like to thank everyone for their incredible support. The donations have made it possible for Landcare Australia to support Landcare groups and other community groups to undertake good quality, hands on projects that will greatly increase bushfire recovery efforts in their local communities. Without this type of support, most community groups would struggle with the size of the recovery task.”

Landcare groups receiving a grant include:

*Wilson Creek Huonbrook Landcare Inc (90 mins from Gold Coast) –  helping to repair and restore ancient Gondwana Rainforest in Nightcap and Mount Jerusalem National Parks impacted by Mt Nardi fire. Activities include guide development of fire retardant rainforest vegetation and management of invasive weeds competing with natives species.

*Nana Glen Landcare Group (30 mins outside Coffs Harbour) – assisting native species of Nana Glen including goannas, eastern grey kangaroos, pretty faced wallabies, land mullets, water dragons, bearded dragons, sea eagles and Wonga pigeons impacted by Liberation Trail fire with supplementary food and water stations. The group also aim to install 50 habitat nest boxes of various types across 172 hectares of fire-impacted private and public land for animals including cockatoos, small parrots, brushtail and ringtail possums, bats, kingfishers, kookaburras and the Powerful Owl.

*Habitat Recovery Alliance (50 mins outside Adelaide) – after the December 2019 Cudlee Creek bushfires destroyed over 21,000 hectares, this alliance of eight dedicated local groups has received 300 new volunteer participants eager to assist in habitat restoration through the seeding and planting of appropriate local native species on multiple private and public properties within the area impacted by the Cudlee Creek fire.

*Cann Valley Landcare Group/Far East Gippsland Landcare Network (90 mins outside Bega) – Wangarabell Valley and the Genoa River were severely fire damaged in January 2020 causing vast destruction of forest, habitat, flora and fauna. While proposing restoration works on over 160 hectares, works include rescue of the Genoa River Correa, an endangered plant native to the region, which was regenerated in 2012 but now specimens have largely been destroyed. Only one large plant remains a source for cuttings and replanting.

For full list of grant recipients visit landcareaustralia.org.au/2020-bushfire-recovery-grants

WIRES and Landcare Australia have joined forces in a landmark $1million partnership supporting recovery of wildlife habitats impacted by bushfire and drought across Australia.

Facilitated by unprecedented public appeals and donations, the WIRES Landcare Wildlife Relief and Recovery Grants will provide eligible local Landcare environment networks and community groups access to grant funding of up to $20,000 to maximise and coordinate restoration projects.

As the country continues to face an international health pandemic, vital relief programmes for bushfire-affected habitats have been delayed or temporarily halted. The WIRES Landcare Wildlife Relief and Recovery Grants will support the planning and subsequent implementation of vital regeneration projects for vulnerable native species, whose populations were decimated, some to the point of extinction.

INT|VISION OPPORTUNITY: Blue Mountains Koala Project – a citizen science group dedicated to the health of surviving koala populations in Blue Mountains and Kanangra-Boyd National Parks, both heavily impacted by bushfire, is one organisation applying for support through the WIRES Landcare Wildlife Relief and Recovery Grants. Focused on a number of regeneration activities including native species replanting, rehabilitated koala release and community engagement, Blue Mountains Koala Project is one of a wide-range of eligible local Landcare environment networks and community groups across the country working on significant habitat restoration for vulnerable species.

The WIRES Landcare Wildlife Relief and Recovery Grants is a ground-breaking alliance between two not-for-profits who have been part of the fabric of local communities for over 30 years.

The largest wildlife rescue organisation in the country, WIRES rescues and rehabilitates native animals. They are also working on a range of relief and recovery plans to implement the best solutions to assist surviving wildlife and ensure the survival of remaining animals.

While Landcare Australia supports the Landcare grassroots movement of individuals and groups who have a shared vision to restore and protect the environment in local communities through sustainable land management and conservation activities.

WIRES CEO Leanne Taylor said this partnership with Landcare Australia marks the beginning of a powerful union, committed to protecting and preserving Australian wildlife, habitat and local communities from the effects of climate change and extreme natural disasters.

 Leanne said: “This partnership between Landcare Australia and WIRES is an important step towards the restoration and recovery of Australian wildlife and landscapes deeply scarred by the unparalleled impacts of bushfires and drought.”

Welcoming the new partnership, Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish said the grants program will improve outcomes for wildlife support and associated habitat rehabilitation projects.

Dr Norrish said: “Through partnerships like this, Landcare Australia is getting on with the job of providing funding to local groups quickly and helping to drive and coordinate national bushfire and drought response with targeted high-priority actions, which are delivered on the ground by locals

Dr Norrish added: “For over 30 years, WIRES has actively rehabilitated and preserved Australian wildlife and inspired others to do the same. Now WIRES are funding community-led protection of habitat by actively supporting Landcare groups and networks, and other environmental community groups to improve the outcomes for wildlife and biodiversity.”

Applications for grants will remain open until April 30 with successful applicants notified late May.

Landcare Australia will be considering applications from:

• Landcare groups, networks, or community environmental organisations undertaking works in an area affected by drought or bushfire in 2019 or 2020; with
• Projects that are directly-related to the implementation of bushfire or drought-related wildlife recovery activities including;
  • post fire habitat restoration/creation projects
  • installation and monitoring nest boxes
  • revegetation of habitat and food trees for native fauna
• Species the grant program aims to assist include;
• Threatened Glossy Black Cockatoo
• Sugar Glider
• Greater Glider
• Brush-Tailed Rock Wallaby
• Koala
• Kookaburra
• Regent Honeyeater
• Rosellas

Landcare is inviting Australians to use their extra day this leap year to volunteer with a Landcare group located in communities impacted by bushfires.

As the country come to terms with the devastation of the unprecedented bushfires, Landcare groups play a critical role in supporting recovery of biodiversity, landscapes and communities – and you can volunteer with Landcare to assist the restoration process.

When conditions allow, Landcare and other community groups will need volunteers to help with regeneration, restoration and rebuilding. With an extra day this leap year on Saturday 29 February, it’s the perfect opportunity to ‘Leap into Landcare’.

If you would like to participate but aren’t sure where to start, please click here for more information.

*The information you provide will help us find you a volunteering opportunity and will be shared with the Landcare organisation in your state or territory as well as local Landcare groups seeking assistance. Please be patient. Some Landcare groups will require immediate action while others may need longer to coordinate recovery projects and activities.

After the first response during a natural disaster, local Landcarers are there for the long term, with on-ground works over months and years. They provide affected people with opportunities to actively participate in community and environmental recovery, working together to repair properties and nurture communities and the environment.

Beyond the immediate aftermath of natural disasters, Landcare groups also provide a social hub, including bringing people together and running workshops with mental health experts to talk to group members directly.

“Landcare groups and volunteers are already part of the impacted areas and are bringing people together in the long-term to work on regeneration, restoration and rebuilding projects over the coming months and years,” said Dr. Shane Norrish, CEO Landcare Australia.

“Landcare projects provide people with opportunities to actively participate in community and environment recovery, working together to restore land, water and coastal landscapes, enhance habitat and strengthen community resilience. And there can never be enough volunteers.”

Landcare Australia is also accepting donations to the 2020 Landcare Australia Bushfire and Natural Disaster Fund. All donations will go directly to Landcare groups for ongoing recovery support. Visit landcareaustralia.org.au/donatebushfires for more information

Landcare Recovery Support Activities

Some of the activities community Landcare groups and volunteers across Australia will co-ordinate during bushfire recovery include:

• mobilising volunteers to help farmers and landholders with support activities
• restoring habitat for wildlife including construction and installation of nest boxes and replanting Indigenous vegetation (grasses, shrubs and trees)
• revegetating bush areas, paddock trees and shelter belts as conditions become appropriate
• removing burnt and fallen trees from fence lines, roads and access tracks
• cleaning up rubble from burnt sheds and other infrastructure including fencing which usually involves many kilometres and therefore days of rolling up and removal of damaged wire
• installing temporary fencing to manage immediate stock and pest control needs
• replacing permanent fencing over a longer period of time
• organising knowledge sharing workshops to provide information to landholders on best practice fire recovery
• supporting farmers and landholders with projects that improve soil health, conservation activities, and adaptation to climate change techniques critical to managing land and water assets
• working with Traditional Owner groups to protect and enhance cultural heritage and environmental outcomes on Country

Winning Landcare projects were announced on Wednesday night at the NSW Landcare Awards at Broken Hill Civic Centre, where Landcare champions from across NSW came together to celebrate impressive achievements in the Landcare community.

Hosted by Chris McCulloch, Business Partner for Landcare at Local Land Services, the awards celebrate incredible efforts to protect NSW land, water and biodiversity.

Last night’s ceremony saw award winners from diverse categories, including farming, Coastcare and Indigenous land management, announced by representatives of award sponsors and NSW Landcare community champions/stalwarts.

Stephanie Cameron, Chair of Landcare NSW together with Richard Bull, Chair of Local Land Services paid tribute to award finalists and champions.

‘Last night’s Landcare Awards Gala Event in Broken Hill was a great celebration of Landcare in NSW. The awards recognised individuals, groups and partnerships across the state as well as, and most importantly, First Nations custodians caring for country,’ Mr Bull said. 

Mrs Cameron added: ‘On behalf of the Landcare NSW community, I congratulate all the nominees and recipients of the awards. Landcare is about communities working together to create positive outcomes for the environment and the agricultural landscape across NSW.  It has never been more important that we continue to support and recognise the dedication and commitment of our Landcarers and recognise their tremendous efforts.’

Grand champions of the NSW National Award categories will go on to represent the whole NSW Landcare Community at the 2020 National Landcare Awards in Sydney.

Landcare Australia CEO, Dr Shane Norrish, commended recipients of the NSW Landcare Awards on their outstanding accomplishments.

‘It’s an honour to be able to recognise the great work being carried out by our Landcare champions in NSW,’ Dr Norrish said.

‘The Landcare Awards program provides landcarers the ideal opportunity to get together and celebrate the individual and collective achievements of landcare in the community.

He added: ‘Landcarers across Australia deserve to be acknowledged and we’re looking forward to seeing NSW winners represent their community at the National Landcare Awards next year.’