Dubbo landholders protecting our environment
Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe has praised the efforts of locals in Dubbo who have protected threatened habitats and species under an agreement with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT).
Eighteen agreement holders across the Dubbo region are protecting 8,163 hectares under conservation agreements funded by the NSW Government, with 95% of the land protected forever.
Minister Sharpe said the private land conservation efforts of farmers and property owners across New South Wales are important to protecting threatened species.
“Dubbo landholders, and landholders across the Central West who have entered an agreement with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust are an example of how we can continue to protect our environment and ensure the survival of threatened species,” Minister Sharpe said.
More than half the protected area in the Dubbo LGA is covered by funded agreements where landholders receive annual management payments in exchange for managing the conservation area.
The Trust’s annual management payments help level out the peaks and troughs in farm income which is increasingly important in a changing climate.
“For many, the added benefit of receiving annual management payments is on top of protecting the land for their family, and future generations”, Minister Sharpe said.
NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust Regional Manager Glenn Harpley said landholders across the Central West were seeing the benefit of managing a conservation site on their property.
“We work with landholders right across the region, assisting them to manage native vegetation and protect the habitats and native animals they take pride in having on their properties,” he said.
“Statewide, the private land conservation efforts of farmers and property owners protect more than 200 threatened species across almost 3% of New South Wales.”
Managing a conservation site under a NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust conservation agreement comes with the assistance and advice of ecologists and support staff. With further funded conservation agreement opportunities expected to open later this year, now is the time to learn more.
Landholders interested in private land conservation can visit www.bct.nsw.gov.au or phone 1300 992 688 for more information.
What is the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust?
The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust, or BCT, is the NSW Government agency tasked with protecting and enhancing biodiversity on private land across New South Wales. It was established under Part 10 of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.
What is private land conservation?
Private land conservation is the protection of native species and habitat on privately-owned land. Landholders enter into a long-term agreement to maintain and enhance biodiversity on their properties.
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