Small scale project brings large scale benefits
Yaven Creek Valley landholders discussing the proposed revegetation plans.
It may only cover five hectares, but the Yaven Creek Rivers to Ridgelines project is bringing far-reaching benefits to the Riverina Highlands in New South Wales.
The small-scale revegetation project is a collaboration between the Riverina Highlands Landcare Network, Riverina Local Land Services and five adjoining landholders in the Yaven Creek valley.
Together, they are working to connect areas of native vegetation in what has been described as the most cleared and degraded box gum woodlands in NSW.
Funded by Landcare Australia, through the support of the Jaramas Foundation, the landholders have been offered assistance with the cost of site preparation, fencing, and revegetation activities that will establish native vegetation and connect areas of remnant vegetation in the region.
Years of clearing and degradation in the area has created environmental issues such as gully erosion, declining ground cover, nutrient run-off and loss of shade and shelter for stock. To combat these problems, the project involves creating corridors that will subdivide large paddocks so that better grazing management can be used.
This is not the first time the Riverina Highlands Landcare Network has worked on a project like this. With a focus on proactively working with landholders and the community to care for the environment and support sustainable agriculture, this project is being conducted in a similar way to a successful project the network undertook in the Tarrabandra area.
According to Yaven Creek landholder and Riverina Highlands Landcare Network secretary, Jess Pearce, the project’s collaborative approach had brought positive opportunities for the area.
“The project has been a great opportunity for the community to combine their efforts,” Jess said.
“This work is often done in isolation, so the collaboration means the landholders get to lean on each other. This is particularly helpful for those in the group who had never been involved with Landcare or tree planting before.”
To meet the demands of revegetating the area, over 2,500 local native plants are being grown by volunteers at the Riverina Highlands Landcare Nursery in Tumut.
“This project is all about the community coming together to help their area,” said Jess. “With the nursery specialising in growing native plants to suit the region’s local climatic conditions, it’s the perfect place to source our trees.”
Landcare Australia has been partnered with the Jaramas Foundation since 2012. With a focus on supporting sustainable agriculture techniques that reduce or repair environmental degradation, Jaramas has helped fund 35 projects to the value of $791,000.
Jaramaus Foundation chair, Robin Craig said the aim of the foundation is to support projects that build better communities.
“We are delighted to support this project as it not only brings together the local landholders, but benefits the whole community by reducing sediment run off, creating wildlife corridors, educating students in sustainable farming techniques and providing propagation skills to nursery volunteers,” Robin said.
Visit: riverinahighlandslandcare.com.au for more information.
