Farms For Food
The Environment and Farming
Country people care for their land. Over the past few generations farmers have learnt a lot about land care, more sustainable farming practises and drought proofing their properties. Our farmers have evolved from previous methods that were harmful to our soil and our water ways to better protect and nourish the soil and to benefit from conservation practices. Farmers hold the best knowledge of their land and how to care for it, it is their home and their business.
Protecting your environment and combating a changing climate.
Advances in Carbon Farming can be explored with your local agri-business to improve productivity and to sequester carbon into the soil.
Farmers can take several steps to protect native wildlife and flora while maintaining their agricultural practices. Here are some effective strategies:
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Sustainable Land Management: Implement practices that minimize soil degradation and promote healthy ecosystems, such as crop rotation, reduced tillage, and cover cropping.
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Biodiversity Corridors: Establish and maintain wildlife corridors that connect patches of native vegetation. This facilitates animal movement and supports genetic diversity.
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Native Planting: Incorporate native plants into farm landscapes, such as along fences and in windbreaks. This provides habitat and food for local wildlife.
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Pest and Weed Management: Use integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that reduce chemical use and protect beneficial insects. Controlling invasive weeds also helps preserve native plant species.
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Water Conservation: Implement water-saving techniques, such as rainwater harvesting and sustainable irrigation practices, to protect local water sources that wildlife depend on.
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Habitat Restoration: Participate in or support local habitat restoration projects to rehabilitate degraded areas, ensuring they are conducive to native flora and fauna.
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Farm Management Plans: Develop a farm management plan that includes biodiversity goals, outlining specific actions and monitoring strategies to enhance and protect native wildlife and flora.
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Education and Awareness: Stay informed about local wildlife and flora through workshops or community programs and encourage fellow farmers to also adopt conservation-friendly practices.
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Collaboration with Conservation Groups: Work with local environmental organizations to gain insights, resources, and support for wildlife protection initiatives.
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Regenerative Practices: Explore regenerative agriculture techniques that focus on improving soil health, enhancing biodiversity, and increasing resilience to climate change.
Significant Flora and Fauna
The Mallee region of Victoria is home to several significant and endangered flora and fauna species. If you want to do more to protect the biodiversity in your region work with your local Landcare groups to research more. Here are some notable examples:
Mallee Emu-Wren (Stipiturus mallee)
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Status: Endangered
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Habitat: Prefers dense, low shrubland in the Mallee.
Banded Lapwing (Vanellus tricolor)
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Status: Vulnerable
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Habitat: Found in open grasslands and disturbed areas; sensitive to habitat loss.
Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus)
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Status: Near Threatened in some areas
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Habitat: Commonly inhabits woodland and scrub in the Mallee.
Black-tailed Native-hen (Gallinula ventralis)
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Status: Vulnerable
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Habitat: Lives in wetlands and grasslands, often at risk from habitat degradation.
Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii)
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Status: Vulnerable
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Habitat: Found in woodlands and forests; reliant on native vegetation for food.
Mallee Fowl (Leipoa ocellata)
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Status: Endangered
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Habitat: Prefers heath and scrub habitats, known for its unique nesting behaviour.
Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis)
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Status: Endangered
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Habitat: Once widespread, it is now found in limited areas; requires specific habitat types for burrowing.
Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis)
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Status: Vulnerable
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Habitat: Lives in woodlands and forest areas; affected by habitat fragmentation.
Western Gerygone (Gerygone fusca)
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Status: Not listed, but significant in the Mallee
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Habitat: Inhabits dense shrubbery and woodland edges, known for its distinctive call.
Painted Honeyeater (Grantiella picta)
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Status: Vulnerable
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Habitat: Prefers eucalypt woodlands and is often associated with mistletoe.
Striated Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus)
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Status: Common but significant
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Habitat: Inhabits woodlands and scrub, recognizable by its bright colours and distinctive call.
Little Eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides)
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Status: Not listed, but significant
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Habitat: Found in open woodlands and grasslands, known for its hunting skills.
Mallee Box (Eucalyptus populnea)
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Status: Vulnerable
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Description: A key species in Mallee ecosystems, it provides habitat and food for various fauna.
Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii)
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Status: Endangered in some areas
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Description: Important for soil stabilization and as a food source for wildlife.
Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha)
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Status: Near Threatened
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Description: Known for its vibrant yellow flowers, it plays a role in local ecosystems.
Mallee Ash (Eucalyptus incrassata)
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Status: Vulnerable
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Description: A significant tree species in the Mallee, crucial for habitat.
Sandhill Wattle (Acacia ligulata)
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Status: Vulnerable
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Description: Found in sandy soils, it provides habitat and food for local fauna.
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Conservation Covenants
In Victoria, a conservation covenant is a legally binding agreement that aims to protect and manage land for conservation purposes. These covenants are typically established between landowners and a government agency or a conservation organization, ensuring that specific conservation values of the land are preserved for future generations.
It is a legally binding agreement that protects land in perpetuity.
Farmer George Cullinan, who discovered a Plains-Wanderer on his property near Birchip established a conservation covenant on his land. Read more here.
