Ipswich City Council

Wildlife

Land for Wildlife | Flying Foxes | Habitat Nest Boxes | Wildlife Carers

Land for Wildlife

Land for Wildlife is a voluntary scheme which aims to encourage and assist private landholders to provide habitats for wildlife on their property, even though the property may be managed primarily for other purposes.

If you wish to create or protect wildlife habitats on your property, then the Land for Wildlife scheme can offer you advice and assistance, whether you manage a farm, a bush block, a council park or school ground.

Land for Wildlife membership will not change the legal status of the property in any way.

What are the benefits of habitat retention to the landholder? Habitat retention can play a major role in sustainable agriculture, for example:

It can assist in erosion and salinity control;
Maintains a natural means of controlling pests;
Provides shade and shelter for livestock.

Why retain bushland on private land?

Over 70% of bushland in South-east Queensland is privately owned and managed. Private landholders hold the key to the survival of many species of wildlife. Wildlife habitat on private land can:

Contribute to the survival of plants and animals that are dependant on the habitats that once occupied the fertile areas now largely affected by human impacts.
Can protect remnant native vegetation.
Provide links between isolated nature reserves, allowing for wildlife movement and genetic interchange.

Most importantly, you can demonstrate a commitment to maintaining our native plants and animals so that they continue to characterise our environment.

What are the benefits of joining Land for Wildlife?

Land for Wildlife can offer you:

1. Advice

How wildlife habitat can be integrated with other uses of private land to the benefit of the landholder and wildlife;
The management of wildlife habitat, the fauna occurring in an area, its ecological role and its needs.
Other forms of assistance or incentives that are available to landholders.
Each property applying for Land for Wildlife status is individually visited by competent extension staff.

2. Contact

With like-minded landholders and a chance to share in their ideas and experiences through the scheme's publications, at field days and other activities.

3. Written information

In the form of regular newsletters and a more detailed Notes series.
A Land for Wildlife sign is provided free of charge to acknowledge the efforts being made by the landholder on behalf of wildlife conservation.
The scheme is backed-up by its own team of dedicated extension staff, providing you access to a range of skills and resources available through the participating Queensland Councils.

Land for Wildlife can go hand-in-hand with other land management schemes such as Landcare and Bushcare.

Consider fencing and revegetating an eroding stream bank with locally native vegetation. The river frontage is protected from erosion, plants are protected from pests by wildlife, the landscape is improved, shelter is provided for livestock, native fauna adds to the interest of the area and it may provide a relaxing fishing or picnic spot.

The scheme can help you to create a "healthy ecosystem" on your property.

Qualifying for Land for Wildlife

The Land for Wildlife scheme welcomes and encourages landholders that are committed to:

managing all or part of their property in a way which clearly aims for the maintenance and enhancement of native habitat
attempts to integrate nature conservation with other land management objectives.

The Land for Wildlife status of the property will then be retained as long as these objectives continue to be upheld. If the property changes ownership then the new owners need to re-apply for registration under the scheme.

Land for Wildlife is responsive to the needs of landholders and recognises that each landholder will have a different capacity to participate in the scheme.

If you are interested in joining the scheme then we suggest that you apply now, even if you don't think your property will yet qualify for registration. We can give you advice now to help you achieve your goals and you will be kept informed through our publication as you progress toward registration.

How do I join Land for Wildlife?

For a Land for Wildlife Application form please contact:

Ipswich City Council
Health, Parks and Recreation Department
PO Box 191
IPSWICH QLD 4305
Phone: 07 3810 6666

An officer from Council will contact you to arrange a meeting to discuss your plans. Subject to a favourable assessment, your property will be entered on the Land for Wildlife register. If you do not qualify at this time, you may wish to work toward registration with our help.

Do something positive for yourself, your family and your property by doing something positive for wildlife.

Join us in protecting native wildlife throughout its range for the benefit of current and future
generations - you and your property can play an important role.

Features of Land for Wildlife at a glance

It's free
Cooperative
There are no fees
The scheme recognises the significant contribution being made by landholders
The Land for Wildlife scheme is jointly managed by participating Councils and supportive community organisations in South-east Queensland
Voluntary Inclusive
Landholders make a personal commitment to the scheme. They may withdraw at any time if they wish. Farms, bush blocks, parks, school grounds, golf courses and cemeteries, small and large properties are all eligible
Free of all legal binds
Land for Wildlife status does not alter the legal status of the property in any way. It does not convey the right of public access nor does it mean that the area is an official wildlife sanctuary
Groups can also be registered. Group registration is particularly suited to a number of small blocks or several larger properties with a "landscape approach" to wildlife habitat

Last Updated 9 Nov 2009 |

Print this page |