Land for Wildlife

Land for Wildlife Celebrates 10 Years

This year, 2008, Land for Wildlife celebrates its tenth year anniversary in Queensland. From humble beginnings within South East Queensland, Land for Wildlife has grown into a statewide program with over 3000 members. SEQ remains the stronghold of Land for Wildlife activities with over 2200 registered members plus another 459 members working towards registration as of June 2008. Over 43,500 hectares of habitat for wildlife is protected under Land for Wildlife in SEQ with a further 2800 hectares being restored.
The partnership between SEQ Catchments and Local Governments of SEQ is key to the success of Land for Wildlife in SEQ. Fostering a sense of regional identity within SEQ, the partnership between SEQ Catchments and Local Governments aims to deliver high quality advisory services and materials to Land for Wildlife members across SEQ. Informative newsletters and technical notes offered free to Land for Wildlife members are available to download from this webpage.

What is Land for Wildlife?

Land for Wildlife is a voluntary nature conservation program that aims to support private landholders to protect and enhance native flora and fauna on their property. Land for Wildlife also encourages landholders to integrate nature conservation with other land management activities such as grazing and hobby farming.
Land for Wildlife aims to bring together like-minded landholders to share their skills and knowledge about nature conservation activities through workshops, field days and the quarterly newsletter.
Land for Wildlife is a national program that was developed in Victoria in 1981 to combat land degradation and declines in native wildlife in the rural landscape.

 

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Does it cost to join?

No. Land for Wildlife membership is free. You will receive a property assessment conducted by trained Land for Wildlife Extension Officers and a landholder folder with technical information sheets.

Who is eligible to join?

Properties over one hectare in size may apply for Land for Wildlife membership. Properties will need to contain at least half a hectare of “retained habitat” - native vegetation that provides good quality habitat for native animals and has been managed primarily for nature conservation for a minimum of 5 years. Schools, organisations, community groups and private landholders are welcome to join.

How do I join?

Phone Deborah Metters, the SEQ Regional Land for Wildlife Coordinator on 3503 1423 or email dmetters@seqcatchments.com.au and state:

Your name
The address of the property you want to register
The size of the property
Your contact phone number

Your local Land for Wildlife Extension Officer will then contact you to arrange a suitable time to come and visit your property.

Land for Wildlife registration

If your property is registered as Land for Wildlife, you will receive a copy of your property assessment, a Land for Wildlife sign and a folder containing technical notes and other useful information. You will receive quarterly newsletters and will be invited to field days and workshops.
If your property is not eligible for full registration, your property may be listed as "Working Towards Registration". You will still receive all Land for Wildlife program information and invitations to workshops and field days, but you will not receive a sign.
Land for Wildlife registration does not alter the legal status of a property in any way. It does not convey the right of public access nor does it mean that the area is an official wildlife sanctuary.

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Benefits of Land for Wildlife registration

You will receive advice and support on:

 

Land for Wildlife membership also provides advice on:

 

And finally, as a registered Land for Wildlife member, you will receive the distinctive Land for Wildlife sign to hang on your front gate.

Does Land for Wildlife permanently protect my property?

No. Land for Wildlife is an education based program to encourage and assist private landholders to mange their property for nature conservation. Land for Wildlife registration ceases when the registered landholder moves or sells the property.

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How can I permanently protect my property?

There are 2 main options for landholders who want to permanently protect the conservation values of their property. Firstly, statutory conservation covenants and associated Voluntary Conservation Agreements (VCAs) are offered by most Local Governments in SEQ. Conservation covenants are legally binding on the title of your property and are usually accompanied by rate rebates or other financial incentives. Secondly, Nature Refuges are legally binding agreements with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service that provide protection to the nature conservation values on private lands.
Land for Wildlife, VCAs and Nature Refuges are all complementary programs and work side-by-side to achieve the same outcomes of nature conservation.

For more information on Nature Refuges follow this link:
http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/nature_conservation/nature_refuges/

For more information on your local VCA and VCC program follow the links below:

 

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Downloads

Newsletters:


Tech Notes:

 

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Contacting LFW

Contacting your local LFW Extension Officer:

For all other Southeast Queensland regions contact the Regional Coordinator Deborah Metters on (07) 3211 4404.

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