More than 140 landholders from across the Southern Tablelands and Liverpool Plains learned about the opportunities to secure annual payments for conservation work after attending workshops held by the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust.
Ecologists and other experts spoke at the well-attended workshops to explain the nature market in NSW, as well as the eligibility requirements for funded programs of the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust.
This includes the organisation's annual fixed price offer and the soon-to-open Liverpool Plains Cracking Clays conservation tender, which will be accepting expressions of interest from producers in the Gunnedah and Liverpool Plains LGAs in July.
Northern Inland Regional Manager Leith Hawkins met several producers who valued the opportunity to better understand their options through private land conservation.
“Producers want to see how protecting nature will impact their bottom line, and how their investment in nature might bring long-term benefits to their business, their families and their communities.
“We had some great interactions with people seeking practical direction on whether nature markets hold any opportunities for them, and next steps for those who were interested in taking it further.”
Event facilitators spoke about the programs and offerings available through the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust, and how they differ from other programs including private sector, nature repair and carbon farming markets.
Expressions of interest in the Liverpool Plains Cracking Clays conservation tender open 22 July, and information sessions will occur across the region from 25 July.
To register for an information session, visit bct.nsw.gov.au/clays.