Private Land Conservation | Bushfire Recovery

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Wingecarribee Land for Wildlife and Habitat for Wildlife programs are expanding to help regenerate our bushland and native gardens for local wildlife.


Now that the ash has settled and we are seeing signs of regeneration, Wingecarribee Shire Council is ramping up its private land conservation program to assist residents with their recovery effort. There are two different programs that residents can apply for help through:

Habitat for Wildlife

Residents in towns and villages who have lost their gardens to the fires can join the Habitat for Wildlife program to receive:

  • $50 native plant voucher
  • Backyard planting guide
  • Sign for front fence
  • Wingecarribee Web e-newsletter
  • Invitations to local workshops

Land for Wildlife

Residents who have bushland that was burnt by last summer's fires can join Land for Wildlife to get help from an expert ecologist to advise on the recovery process and assistance applying for $2,000 per year grants. Land for Wildlife members receive:

  • Free property visit and report from an expert ecologist
  • Plant species lists for the property
  • A suite of mapping products
  • Eligibility for $2,000/year Conservation Partners Grant (funding available for bush regeneration, weeding, fencing, pest animal control, erosion control)
  • $50 native plant voucher
  • Recovery project scoping and help with grant application
  • Sign for front fence
  • Wingecarribee Web e-newsletter
  • Invitations to local workshops

Which program is right for me?

Questions
Habitat for WildlifeLand for Wildlife
How did last summer's fires affect your property?Your garden was damaged by the bushfires.The bushfires burnt native bushland on your property.
Which program is best for you?Habitat for Wildlife is for any resident who lives in a village or town and wants to encourage wildlife in their backyard.Land for Wildlife is for residents that have larger rural properties with native bushland and a passion for the environment.
Entry requirementsA commitment to providing safe habitat for native wildlife in your backyard.At least 0.5 hectares (1.25 acres) of native bushland and a commitment to conserving habitat on your property
Link to application form:


Why wait until spring?

The regeneration process after a fire is slow and is largely dependent on the intensity of the fire and follow up rainfall. During the first 6 months after a fire the remaining plants and soil are incredibly fragile and starting the recovery process too early can sometime cause more damage than good because we have not had a chance to see the regeneration potential of the environment.

Spring is the ideal time to commence any recovery project for plants and animals, especially after a major bushfire. The regenerative process usually kickstarts in Spring when regular frosts end and we expect to see a major sprouting of the seedbank.


Wingecarribee Land for Wildlife and Habitat for Wildlife programs are expanding to help regenerate our bushland and native gardens for local wildlife.


Now that the ash has settled and we are seeing signs of regeneration, Wingecarribee Shire Council is ramping up its private land conservation program to assist residents with their recovery effort. There are two different programs that residents can apply for help through:

Habitat for Wildlife

Residents in towns and villages who have lost their gardens to the fires can join the Habitat for Wildlife program to receive:

  • $50 native plant voucher
  • Backyard planting guide
  • Sign for front fence
  • Wingecarribee Web e-newsletter
  • Invitations to local workshops

Land for Wildlife

Residents who have bushland that was burnt by last summer's fires can join Land for Wildlife to get help from an expert ecologist to advise on the recovery process and assistance applying for $2,000 per year grants. Land for Wildlife members receive:

  • Free property visit and report from an expert ecologist
  • Plant species lists for the property
  • A suite of mapping products
  • Eligibility for $2,000/year Conservation Partners Grant (funding available for bush regeneration, weeding, fencing, pest animal control, erosion control)
  • $50 native plant voucher
  • Recovery project scoping and help with grant application
  • Sign for front fence
  • Wingecarribee Web e-newsletter
  • Invitations to local workshops

Which program is right for me?

Questions
Habitat for WildlifeLand for Wildlife
How did last summer's fires affect your property?Your garden was damaged by the bushfires.The bushfires burnt native bushland on your property.
Which program is best for you?Habitat for Wildlife is for any resident who lives in a village or town and wants to encourage wildlife in their backyard.Land for Wildlife is for residents that have larger rural properties with native bushland and a passion for the environment.
Entry requirementsA commitment to providing safe habitat for native wildlife in your backyard.At least 0.5 hectares (1.25 acres) of native bushland and a commitment to conserving habitat on your property
Link to application form:


Why wait until spring?

The regeneration process after a fire is slow and is largely dependent on the intensity of the fire and follow up rainfall. During the first 6 months after a fire the remaining plants and soil are incredibly fragile and starting the recovery process too early can sometime cause more damage than good because we have not had a chance to see the regeneration potential of the environment.

Spring is the ideal time to commence any recovery project for plants and animals, especially after a major bushfire. The regenerative process usually kickstarts in Spring when regular frosts end and we expect to see a major sprouting of the seedbank.


  • This Spring, we are helping Wingecarribee residents who have gardens that were damaged by last Summer's bushfires with a $50 native plant voucher if they join the Habitat for Wildlife program. Habitat for Wildlife is about providing a backyard garden that is wildlife friendly, and is for people who live in the Wingecarribee Shire who love native animals. 

    Bushfire affected Habitat for Wildlife members will receive:

    • A colourful metal sign to install on their front gate or fence
    • Resources including the Backyard Habitat Planting Guide
    • A native plant gift voucher to the value of $50
    • Subscription to the Wingecarribee Web E-Newsletters
    • Access to workshops and events as they happen

    Please fill out this application form to join the Habitat for wildlife program - if you are having trouble with the form, you can download a PDF version instead.

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  • Please fill in this application form if you would like to join the Wingecarribee Land for Wildlife program. Land for Wildlife is for properties that have at least 0.5 hectares (1.25 acres) of native vegetation, including vegetation which may have burnt by the Morton and Green Wattle Creek Bushfires.

    All Land for Wildlife members will receive:

    • Free property visit from an experienced ecologist to assess the regeneration process
    • Species list of plants and animals
    • Bushfire recovery project recommendations for the Biodiversity Conservation Trust's Conservation Partners Grants - $2,000 per year
    • Suite of environmental mapping products
    • Land for Wildlife property report
    • Invitation to Land for Wildlife events and workshops

    We will be processing all bushfire affected properties wishing to join Land for Wildlife in Spring 2020. The regeneration process after fire takes time and is largely dependent on intensity of the fire and follow up rain. Waiting until Spring will let us have a better idea of the ecological recovery potential of your bushland,  because this is when we expect to see the most new growth.

    If you are having trouble with the form, you can download a PDF version instead.

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  • This form is for people who have already registered to participate in the EPA’s Bushfire-Generated Green Waste Clean-Up and Processing Program.  Click here for Council info.

    Council is now seeking additional information from participants in order to plan works related to the processing and removal of green waste from your property.

    Fire affected trees, shrubs, logs, stumps and piles of green waste are within the scope of the work.

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