More than a year since the devasting fires that ravaged the Corrigin and Narrogin regions, work is underway to fence unprotected remnant bushlands on private farmlands.
Thirteen landholders have been contracted to erect 28kms of fencing at a total value of $126,720 to secure recovering native vegetation under Round One of the ‘Recovering Wheatbelt Landscapes after Fire’ program.
The initiative, led by Wheatbelt NRM, is funded under the State NRM Community Stewardship Grant Program.
“Wheatbelt NRM is very pleased to have received this support to contribute to the recovery effort, which for many famers, will take decades” says CEO Karl O’Callaghan
“Our project partners, Corrigin Farm Improvement Group and The Facey Group, are on the ground connecting landholders with additional assistance such as BlazeAid who are helping erect the fences during May and June.”
Round two of the program will be announced in the coming months and fire affected landholders will be able to apply for funding support to purchase seedlings for revegetation, infill planting and habitat augmentation. Restoring habitat for threatened fauna includes the installation of nest boxes and feral animal control.
“Much of the eucalypt woodlands burnt were critically endangered eucalypts of the Western Wheatbelt. These provide important habitat for species such as Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos, Red Tailed Phascogales, malleefowl and Peregrine Falcons as well as several species of protected plants. It is vital these threatened species are given every opportunity to bounce back as quickly as possible.”
Across the two rounds $278,000 will be allocated to on ground fire recovery works.
For further information about the program or support eligibility contact Wheatbelt NRM Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator Jacquie Lucas on 0499 389 134 or jlucas@wheatbeltnrm.org.au
Photo credit Claudia Hadlow of The Facey Group picturing remnant vegetation showing signs of recovery after the fires of 2022.
Claudia Hadlow - Facey Group, for the photograph.