Riverina cemeteries have become conservation havens thanks to local councils and the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust.
Several cemeteries across the Riverina are being managed to preserve native habitats and species under conservation agreements, including Stockinbingal and Wallendbeen, both owned by Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council.
Nicky Godber, Regulatory Compliance Officer with Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council, said that with the support of the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust, local councils are managing, maintaining and monitoring local cemeteries for the species who inhabit them:
“While small country cemeteries may seem an unlikely place to manage biodiversity for future generations, these areas are helping protect our unique plants and animal species, such as chocolate lilies, bluebells and superb parrots.”
“Our small and historical cemeteries are really important to locals and provide a vital sense of connection to the area.”
“It’s important that we care for these places for the long term, and that means managing them in a way that protects our native plants and animals.”
These small cemeteries, and the volunteers and workers that manage them, are one of the regions unique successes, according to NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust Senior Ecologist, Mason Crane:
“Cemeteries might seem an unusual place for biodiversity conservation, but they’re essential to conservation in our area. They often have high biodiversity value as they are islands of native vegetation that have been left to function in an otherwise highly modified agricultural landscape.
“Stockinbingal and Wallendbeen cemeteries are both exceptional examples of remnant threatened box-gum woodlands which has otherwise been heavily cleared.
“An understorey diverse in natives is particularly well preserved in these locations, as well as old grandmother box trees with large hollows providing important habitat for arboreal mammals and birds.” Mr Crane said.
“We’re working with other councils to secure further cemetery vegetation which is a gold mine for biodiversity in heavily cleared landscapes. We can provide grant funding for fencing, pest control and weed spraying to support the management of these sites.”
Visit a conservation cemetery in the following locations:
- Stockinbingal: Grogan Rd, Stockinbingal
- Wallendbeen: Off N Jindalee Rd, Wallendbeen
- North Berry Jerry: Lynham Ln, Berry Jerry
- Marrar: Canola Way, Marrar
- Monteagle: 14 Sads Ln, Monteagle