Launch of Land for Wildlife workshops in the Tweed


Private landholders play crucial role in biodiversity conservation

A series of Land for Wildlife workshops will be launched by Tweed Shire Council on Saturday, 29 November 2014 at Burringbar Hall. Land for Wildlife is a voluntary property registration scheme that helps private landholders manage wildlife habitat on their property.

The 10 workshops, funded by a National Parks and Wildlife Foundation grant with additional funding by Council, will focus on practical elements of biodiversity conservation for private landholders. Workshops are free and open to everyone.

Council's Biodiversity Project Officer, Michael Corke, said that a survey of landholders registering for the program provided the impetus for the workshops.

"Questionnaire responses highlighted the need for better habitat management skills and a desire for greater knowledge of biodiversity conservation strategies and programs," Mr Corke said.

"These needs are coupled with a strong sense of land custodianship and a growing awareness of the crucial role that private landholders play in biodiversity conservation."

The workshops, to be conducted over the next two years, respond directly to these needs.

"They will provide the contextual knowledge, practical skills and supporting resources to help landholders conserve and enhance the natural heritage values of their land," Mr Corke said.

"If you want to learn about how we manage the Tweed's amazing biodiversity, how to encourage native fauna, identify and control weeds, propagate native plants and re-establish rainforest on cleared land, these workshops are for you, " he said.

"We will also explore techniques for assessing and boosting soil health and our rich indigenous cultural heritage."

Workshops will be practical and largely field-based. Participants will receive handouts and supporting resources, such as industry standard plant identification texts, will also be available.

"The first workshop is a 'meet and greet' and will be lots of fun. There will be a native plant and seed swap, land rehabilitation case studies and a biodiversity trivia competition with prizes. It will be a great opportunity for landholders to meet and share experiences. The second workshop, held on the same day, will outline the Shire's amazing floristic biodiversity and set the context for subsequent workshops. A threatened species recovery project will be showcased.

For more information about the workshops, please contact Council's Biodiversity Project Officer, Michael Corke, on (02) 6670 2592, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. The first two workshops will be held on Saturday, 29 November 2014 at Burringbar Hall. Morning tea and lunch will be provided. Bookings are essential.

For more information visit Tweed Shire Council