Land For Wildlife
Land for Wildlife’s main aim is to promote community engagement in private land conservation by encouraging landowners to provide secure wildlife habitats by protecting natural values on their properties, even if their property may primarily be managed for other purposes such as farming, horticulture or tourism.
The Land for Wildlife Program
From small beginnings in Victoria, Land for Wildlife (LFW) is now a national program delivered to all states in Australia. In NSW, the program is managed by the Hunter-based Community Environment Network (CEN), who maintain a statewide property register and employ us as the Regional Provider for the Clarence Valley.
Our role is to implement, coordinate and manage the program where we provide trained assessors to perform the on-ground property checks, surveys, reports and final registration application packages.
As of 2022, there are 150 Land for Wildlife members in the Clarence Valley, all who help create and protect valuable wildlife habitats totalling over 7,300 hectares of land.
Working in conjunction with landholders and Land for Wildlife members, the Clarence Environment Centre offers:
- professional bush regeneration and weed eradication
- work for the dole initiatives
- seed collection and plant identification services
- nest-box building & distribution
- a native plant nursery
- LfW community social events and educational days
Who can join Land for Wildlife?
Anyone with a minimum of half a hectare (1 acre) of bush land that they would like to set aside as wildlife habitat can join the program. It is entirely cost-free to the landowner, and is non-legally binding, meaning the status does not attach to the land’s title. By this, the program offers an ideal opportunity for a landowner to see how conservation fits in with other plans for their land without any permanent commitment. Schools, and even farmers, are encouraged to join the program, because managing part of a farm for biodiversity is compatible with agriculture.
How can you get Land for Wildlife?
The best and easiest way to start the registration process is to fill out the Community Environment Network (CEN) Expression of Interest form here. The completed form should be returned to the CEN, who will forward it on to us if your property falls within our region. The coordinator or an assessor will then get in touch to arrange a suitable day and time for a property assessment.
The assessment process usually takes up to two hours (depending on land size and terrain), when we perform a flora survey, which will help us identify significant ecosystems of the property. At the end of the assessment a full list of all species identified on the land will be provided free of charge to help you understand the values you are managing.
If your property is found to be suitable for Land for Wildlife, you can then sign up and become a member of the network where you agree to manage (all, or part of) your land with wildlife conservation in mind.
What are the benefits of being a Land for Wildlife member?
You will also receive a gate sign to show your neighbours and the community you are proud to be a Land for Wildlife member.
