Council’s conservation programs recognised
Wingecarribee Shire Council has been highly commended at the second annual ‘Keep NSW Beautiful’ Regional Blue Star Sustainability Awards at a ceremony held in Orange on Saturday 5 November.
Keep NSW Beautiful (KNSWB) is the state’s premier organisation for litter reduction and environmental sustainability.
In the category of Habitat and Wildlife Guardianship, Council was recognised for their Partnering for Conservation wildlife and community engagement programs which assist private land holders achieve conservation outcomes on their land.
Programs include Habitat for Wildlife, Land for Wildlife and Vegetation Conservation Programs.
“This is a great acknowledgment for all the work done on environmental sustainability and conservation by Council and the community,” said Council’s Bushland Projects Officer Karen Guymer.
Currently 198 community members are involved in Habitat for Wildlife and over 2600 hectares of privately owned native vegetation is being conserved through the Land for Wildlife program.
The Vegetation Conservation program involves a detailed management plan and financial commitment between landholders and Council to conserve and enhance endangered ecological communities.
“Council works closely with community members who devote a considerable amount of time and energy to these projects,” said Ms Guymer. “The recognition reflects the stewardship we have together for the environment.”
Council’s conservation programs were developed in response to the priorities identified in the Wingecarribee 2031+ Community Strategic Plan, the Wingecarribee Biodiversity Strategy 2003 and the overarching vision and goals of the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative.
For more information on these programs visit www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/get-involved.
The biggest award of the night was the Overall Regional Sustainability Award, which was awarded to Maitland City Council.
“Maitland is setting an excellent example for what a regional town or city can really achieve if they make the environment and local heritage a top priority,” said KNSWB Chief Executive David Imrie.
For more information on the KNSWB Blue Star Sustainability Regional Awards visit http://knswb.org.au/all-the-winners-of-the-blue-star-sustainability-regional-awards.