Almost 500 new strategically located eucalypt trees are being planted in paddocks around Cowra to reconnect vital woodland habitat for local birds.
Sadly, many of the old, solitary paddock trees still remaining in our heavily cleared landscape are now starting to die off, so replacement plantings are needed, say Landcare officers.
Mid Lachlan Landcare and the Cowra Woodland Birds Program have recruited local landholders to come to the rescue through the ‘Paddock Tree’ partnership.
Through the Paddock Tree Project, Mid Lachlan Landcare has been supplying mesh and posts for tree guards to participating landholders, to help ensure the newly planted seedlings have the best chance of survival.
Individual paddocks trees are important for both biodiversity and aesthetics.
“Trees are a beautiful feature in the landscape and they are also critical for the survival of native bird species such as the superb parrot, the swift parrot and all of our owls,” said John Rankin from the Cowra Woodland Birds Program.
“The loss of paddock trees and our woodland environments has meant that a number of our native birds and other animals are declining,” he said.
Initially, the Cowra Woodland Birds Program supplied funding to purchase seven rolls of heavy duty mesh, which could each create about a dozen tree guards.
“We had such strong demand from people wanting to take part that Mid Lachlan Landcare then bought another 10 rolls of mesh, while the landholders purchased the tube stock and put the guards together in the paddock,” said Mid Lachlan local Landcare coordinator Tracee Burke.
Another 10 rolls were bought through the Central Tablelands Local Land Services funded ‘Driving Sustainable Land Use’ project, which supports landholders to engage in improved grazing management practices and advises farmers on ecosystem repair priorities to boost farm productivity.
“We’ve now supplied enough guards for approximately 320 trees, and we know that many landholders are chipping in from their own pockets to buy more mesh and posts in order to extend their plantings. In total we calculate about 500 new paddock trees have gone in this season across the Cowra Shire,” said Ms Burke.
“There has also been significant interest from people who haven’t officially signed up to the projects, but who are looking at doing similar paddock tree plantings on their properties in the future.
For more information about the Cowra Paddock Tree Project phone Tracee Burke at Mid Lachlan Landcare on 0417 799 425 or email: midlachlanlandcare@gmail.com