The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust and conservation agreement-holder Dr Guy Fitzhardinge welcomed members of Rabobank’s global sustainability team to Pennyroyal, at Mandurama, in the state’s Central West, last month to learn more about private land conservation’s role in delivering biodiversity outcomes across a property portfolio.
Rabobank delegates from Holland, New Zealand and across Australia were offered the site visit to understand how conservation outcomes were delivered alongside agricultural production.
Rabobank’s team were able to ask Dr Fitzhardinge how he balanced agriculture and biodiversity goals, and heard from NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust ecologist Tiffany Mason how species were thriving through dedicated management across a conservation agreement area and Wildlife Refuge on the property.
“The significant stands of box woodland, which still exist on the property in an otherwise over cleared landscape, are testament to the management of the property,” Central West Regional Manager Glenn Harpley said.
“The Threatened Ecological Community of tree species, grasslands and the other plants and animals that depend on it are all managed by Dr Fitzhardinge, alongside agricultural production on the property.
“We were able to show the Rabobank team the importance of what’s on the agreement areas: for example, a species like mistletoe, which is vital for woodland birds to nest in, is a food source and offers for shelter during droughts.”
The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust supports landholders with opportunities to earn annual payments for their conservation efforts, or, as with Dr Fitzhardinge, access to grants for specific conservation work.
To learn more about the conservation agreements available to you visit: www.bct.nsw.gov.au/apply-for-a-conservation-agreement