Protecting and Restoring Natural Biodiversity

In its simplest form, natural biodiversity (biological diversity) is the variety of all native life forms (eg plants, animals and micro-organisms). It would be impossible to identify all the different species in the catchment and what threatens each of them, but by protecting as much of each vegetation community (eg woodlands, grasslands etc…) as possible, we can hope to protect the life that depends upon this vegetation.

Unfortunately our remaining native vegetation (remnant vegetation which has not been planted) is threatened by lack of regeneration, damage caused by stock, weeds and other pests, changes to natural water flows, and chemical spray drift.

Animals using this vegetation are also under threat due to the lack of links (corridors) or stepping-stones allowing them to find food & shelter as they move from one patch of vegetation to another. The projects listed below may help alleviate these threats and increase biodiversity protected in the catchment.

ELIGIBLITY CRITERIA FOR THESE PROJECTS

- Revegetation should be with local native species (local provenance should be used wherever possible) and a good mix of species used in most cases. All revegetation must exclude grazing.

- Buffers and corridors should be greater than 30m in width and connect with remnant vegetation.

- Revegetation of blocks to improve biodiversity should be greater than 1ha in size (although this can be planted over a couple of years) and close to remnant native vegetation.

- Environmental weed control in remnant areas should use minimum disturbance methods so as not to damage existing vegetation.

ON-GROUND ACTIVITIES ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING

On-Ground Activities	Typical Incentive Rate
Fence to exclude stock from remnant (non-planted) vegetation	$3000/km of fence (for projects with exceptionally high quality of remnant vegetation bonus rates by negotiation)
Environmental weed control	50% total costs of contractors reimbursed or 50% of applicants own labour and chemical costs reimbursed (with labour valued at $25/hr)
Other projects protecting remnant vegetation and biodiversity	Reimbursements negotiated on site or ring the project officer to discuss ideas
Vertebrate pest control	50% of applicants chemical costs