CONTACT:
Jodie Lewin
02 9564 0576
0448 810 054
jodie@nct.org.au
MEDIA RELEASE
²² July 2010
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Protect your own private bushland reserve
Central West landholders will once again have the opportunity to protect the natural bushland on their
properties forever thanks to a conservation agreement program being delivered by the Nature Conservation
Trust of New South Wales.
Following the successful completion of the first round of the Central West Conservation Covenant Program,
the Nature Conservation Trust is again seeking landholders who want to protect natural bushland on their
properties through a permanent conservation agreement with the organisation.
Properties will be selected through an assessment process that will focus on the type of native vegetation
present, the size of the area, the location of the vegetation in relation to other patches of bushland, and the
presence of important plants and animals such as Glossy Black Cockatoos, Swift Parrots and Diamond
Firetails.
Incentive funding for participating landholders has been made available to the program by the Central West
Catchment Management Authority. This funding can be used to contribute to on-ground works such as feral
animal and weed control, fencing and improving habitat for wildlife. The Nature Conservation Trust will
provide ongoing management advice, information and assistance.
Central West landholder Andrew Knop, who recently protected 730 hectares of bushland on his property near
Dubbo with a Nature Conservation Trust covenant, explains his motivation for protecting his land.
“A covenant protects native bushland and the wildlife it supports for future generations and helps to preserve
all your hard work,” said Andrew.
“Putting a covenant on my property means the restoration works will be protected forever.”
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Andrew’s property forms part of the Sappa Bulga Ranges, which is a significant remnant of native vegetation
in a landscape that has been largely cleared and modified for agriculture. There are two Endangered
Ecological Communities on the property – Box-Gum Woodland and Fuzzy Box Woodland – and a number of
threatened bird species present, including the endangered Glossy Black Cockatoo. The property also has
potential habitat for many more threatened animal and plant species.
Project Officer for the Nature Conservation Trust, Danielle Smetana, said that protecting native vegetation on
private property is critical for protecting biodiversity.
"Native vegetation in the Central West Catchment has been highly modified and remnants of bushland on
private land provide important hubs of biodiversity to help maintain regional landscape health," said Danielle.
"Protecting these remnants is vital if we are to ensure the survival of our unique plants and animals."
The Central West Conservation Covenant Program is a joint project between the Nature Conservation Trust
and the Central West Catchment Management Authority, supported by the Australian Government's Caring
for our Country initiative.
To find out more about the program, visit www.nct.org.au or contact Danielle Smetana in Nature
Conservation Trust’s Orange office on 02 6365 7881. Expressions of interest close 13th August 2010.
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jodie Lewin - Fundraising and Public Relations Manager
Ph: 02 9564 0576
Mob: 0448 810 054
Email: jodie@nct.org.au
IMAGE ATTACHED: Project Officer for the Nature Conservation Trust, Danielle Smetana, with Dubbo
landholder Andrew Knop, who has protected the bushland on his property with a Nature Conservation Trust
covenant.
NEWS 
