The Gib is Land for Wildlife
The Mount Gibraltar Reserve has been officially registered with Land for Wildlife, a voluntary and free conservation program coordinated by Council and the Community Environment Network.
Council’s Bushland Projects Officer, Karen Guymer said the registration was a first for council-managed land in the Shire.
“Despite its proximity to urban land and the pressures from feral and domesticated animals, this important reserve is home to many native animals,” Ms Guymer said.
Jane Lemann, from the Mount Gibraltar Landcare and Bushcare Group said, “It’s great that this agreement recognises The Gib as an important wildlife habitat.”
John Asquith, from the Community Environment Network, said he was pleased that Council had joined other local governments in NSW in registering land with the program.
Land for Wildlife is a voluntary program which aims to encourage and assist landholders to provide habitats for wildlife on their property, even though the property may be managed primarily for other purposes.
Its goals are to promote continuity of habitat across landscapes, community participation in nature conservation, and to contribute to the ecologically sustainable long-term viability of agricultural systems.
Across the Wingecarribee Shire 57 landholders have registered their patch of bush with the Land for Wildlife program.
“If you live on a property with half a hectare or more of natural bush, forest, native grassland, wetland or rainforest and you are interested in wildlife conservation, this program may be for you,” Ms Guymer added.
Land for Wildlife provides free comprehensive property assessments, a social network, occasional e-newsletters, workshops and incentives such as free native plants for members.
The next workshop, “Focus on Fauna” will be held in Colo Vale on Thursday 13 March with fauna ecologist Garry Daly and Office of Environment and Heritage threatened species officer, Kylie Madden.
To find out more about the program, or to complete an expression of interest, visit Council’s website at www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/services/environment/land-for-wildlife or contact Council’s Bushland Project Officer on phone 4868 0819.