The Federal Government is backing local landholders and communities in East Gippsland to lead the way in bushfire recovery through a $1 million grant to support the regeneration of impacted plants and animals.
Not-for-profit organisation Trust for Nature will facilitate an on-ground bushfire recovery program for local land managers to create ‘refuge areas’ where unique species such as Yellow-bellied Gliders, the Long-footed Potoroo and Creeping Shield Ferns can recover across the region.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said as part the project practical recovery actions will include control of feral animals like deer and foxes, weed removal and revegetation with local landholders who are still recovering from the Black Summer Bushfires.
“The refuges will also work to improve the resilience of wildlife that are found in unburnt areas of East Gippsland,” Mr Chester said.
“By linking key properties and unburnt areas, the project will provide areas where wildlife and plants can come back and regenerate across the landscape.”
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said the project will be supported through the Government’s $200 million investment to help native wildlife and their habitats recover from the devastating impacts of the black summer bushfires.
“Trust for Nature will support practical action where private and public lands meet, helping recover and connect key habitats like grassy woodlands, wetlands and riverbanks,” Minister Ley said.
“This will help create refuges for an array of bushfire impacted species such as the turquoise parrot, Greater Gliders and Lyrebirds to recover with a little helping hand.”
Expressions of interest will be distributed to landholders seeking participation in project activities backed up with a targeted extension program.
Further information on Trust for Nature and the Ecosystem Recovery and Ecological Refugia Protection programs can be found here: https://trustfornature.org.au/
