New data from the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust has shown how private landholders across NSW are making a powerful impact by protecting the state’s threatened species and environment.
The Biodiversity Impact Report | Conservation on Private Land: 2018 to 2025 shows that private land conservation is delivering great conservation outcomes across the state.
The Biodiversity Conservation Trust found that participating landholders have:
- Established almost 3,000 permanent biodiversity monitoring sites;
- Prevented the loss of approximately 35,000 hectares of native vegetation;
- Protected habitat for at least 304 threatened species;
- Safeguarded 41 threatened ecological communities;
- Contributed nearly 40% of the total area added to NSW’s protected area network since 2018.
“When we support landholders with the right incentives and support, conservation on private land can be planned, implemented and measured with confidence,” said NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust Principal Ecologist and report author, Dr James Brazill-Boast.
“Long-term monitoring is essential because it tells us not just what we’re doing, but what’s actually working.”
Landholders participating in the Biodiversity Conservation Trust program manage their properties for conservation and work with expert ecologists who track environmental changes over time.
The properties managed under conservation agreements are supporting a greater variety of species and stronger, healthier ecosystems, helping reduce risks to some of NSW’s most threatened plants and animals.
“Biodiversity is the cornerstone to a healthy environment, from the microorganisms in our soil to the largest tree on the horizon,” said Minister for Environment, Penny Sharpe.
“80% of land in NSW is privately managed. Biodiversity protection can only be done by working closely with private landholders.
“These results show how successful this partnership between landholders and the Biodiversity Conservation Trust can be. I would encourage anyone interested to investigate this rewarding partnership for their land.”
The Report is available to read at: nsw.gov.au/bct-impact-report.
