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Land For Wildlife Properties Open To Visitors

Have you ever noticed a green diamond-shaped Land for Wildlife sign on a property gate and wondered what it meant? Here’s your chance to find out about Land for Wildlife and what it offers to landholders.

By Department of Sustainability and Environment - 10th September 2003 - Back to News

For the past 22 years a steadily growing band of volunteers has been actively protecting some of Victoria’s most precious wildlife through the scheme.

"Land for Wildlife is a voluntary scheme that aims to encourage and help private landholders to provide habitat for wildlife on their property," said Pam Clunie, Statewide Coordinator of Land for Wildlife at the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) in Bendigo.

"Even though the property may be managed primarily for other purposes, the scheme offers landholders advice, written information, field days, property visits and a Land for Wildlife sign to acknowledge the efforts being made."

The Land for Wildlife Open Property Scheme, taking place in Victoria throughout September, is designed to give landholders an opportunity to make contact with like-minded people and share their ideas and experiences, and to let the public come in and appreciate the work they are doing.

"Ten properties are open around Victoria during September. The public can come along and learn about nature conservation on private land and how the Land for Wildlife program can help them," Ms Clunie said.

"The properties open this year include small and large, bush blocks and farms, and are just a small sample of more than 5800 properties involved in the scheme."

Visitors can hear about and see the many restoration and protection measures landholders have implemented on their land. Activities range from enjoying wildlife spotlighting tours near Lakes Entrance to birdwatching on properties near Franklinford and Port Albert.

"It’s an excellent chance to allow the public to learn about the Land for Wildlife program, and hopefully others will be encouraged to join," she said.

This is the third year the Open Property Scheme has been running, and in South Gippsland, one property will be open:

• Port Albert, Sunday, 21 September, 10am to 1pm.
  This 36-acre property retains 20-acres of an undisturbed remnant of Healthy Coastal Woodland vegetation. Approx. 1.5km north of Port Albert township (VicRoads map 104, D4), this diverse coastal vegetation provides excellent wildlife habitat and many birds. The enthusiastic owners have created their own wildlife wetland, including an island and shallow areas for waterbirds. Come and hear about the owners’ experiences in restoring and protecting habitat on their land. The morning will feature a guest speaker, Tony Brindley from Wildlife and Wetland Creations to give advice on creating your own artificial wildlife wetland. A guided botanical walk around the property will follow. Bring along binoculars for birdwatching. Tea, coffee and light refreshments will be provided. For further information, please contact Julia Deleyev on (03) 5172 2550 or email julia.deleyev@dse.vic.gov.au before Friday 19 September.

Full details of the Open Property Scheme around Victoria are available from Pam Clunie, Statewide Coordinator, Land for Wildlife DSE on 5430 4363 or pam.clunie@dse.vic.gov.au.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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