Native Vegetation Management Study Commences

A study is being conducted in the Bega Valley Shire area by a social research company Ipsos to better understand how native vegetation is managed and to explore opportunities for future support to landholders.

“Over the past 9 years a group of local agencies have provided support to over 230 landholders with advice, design information, funds, implementing works and landholder group networking to assist them with the management of their native vegetation,” Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority (SRCMA) Board Member, Kerry Pfeifer said

The study involves interviewing wide range of landholders for 15 minutes by phone during April to gain feedback, experiences and opinions on managing native vegetation.

SRCMA commissioned the study to find out how well the agencies have supported the 230 landholders engaged in managing 4000 hectares of native vegetation as well as what services they and other landholders in the area would like supplied in the future.

“The information from the study will also be used to inform Australian and NSW Governments of the support needs of landholders to build healthy resilient landscapes to withstand future threats such as climate change,” Mr Pfeiffer said.

The support to landholders has been provided by SRCMA, Bega Valley Shire Council, National Parks and Wildlife, South East NSW Private Forestry, Far South Coast Landcare Association, Department of Primary Industry and the Rural Lands Protection Board. The project has been possible through funds from the Australian and NSW Governments’ Natural Heritage Trust program.