How can I help? Halting the decline of Threatened Ecological Communities

When a development or activity is proposed in an area where Threatened Ecological Communities are known to be present, it is important to remember that any impact may be continuing the process leading that ecological community towards extinction in nature. Any action that can be taken to limit the impact of a development or activity on Threatened Ecological Communities should be considered at the outset.

Recovery and Threat Abatement Actions

DECC has prepared a Priorities Action Statement (PAS) to promote the recovery of Threatened Ecological Communities,threatened species and populations, and aid in the abatement of Key Threatening Processes in New South Wales. This database identifies actions that can be undertaken to recover Threatened Ecological Communities, species and populations. More details on recovery and threat abatement can be found at the �Recovery and Threat Abatement� page of this website or on the particular Threatened Ecological Community profile page.

There are also a number of Recovery Plans that have been developed or are under development for Threatened Ecological Communities including Cumberland Plain Woodland, Kurri Sand Swamp, Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub and White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely�s Red Gum Woodland.

Draft and Final Recovery Plans can be found on this site. Finalised documents are also available on the Threatened Ecological Community Profile page.

Impact Mitigation

In areas where development is proposed, there are a number of strategies that can be used to mitigate the impacts of developments and activities. These include undertaking bush regeneration activities, relocating or changing the design of proposals, restricting access to Threatened Ecological Communities, incorporating vegetated buffer zones for Threatened Ecological Communities into proposals, and revegetating areas adjacent to Threatened Ecological Communities with stock grown from locally sourced seed.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation of degraded Threatened Ecological Communities can improve their integrity and utility giving these areas a better chance of survival. Whilst there may be only a small extent of these communities left, there may be an even smaller amount in moderate or good condition. Rehabilitation of Threatened Ecological Communities that are in low condition will help to reverse the decline of these ecosystems and ensure they are still able to provide their ecosystem services.

Best Practice Guidelines are under preparation for a number Threatened Ecological Communities and will be accessible from the Threatened Ecological Community Profile page for that community when finalised. These guidelines will show example sites where you can see the practices in place and will provide information on processes that have been successfully implemented in restoring those Threatened Ecological Communities.

Incentives

Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) offer a range of funding incentives to landholders and local councils for a range of environmental improvements on private and public land including Threatened Ecological Communities. For more information on CMA Incentives contact your local CMA.

Voluntary Conservation Agreements

A Voluntary Conservation Agreement (VCA) is a joint agreement between landowners and the Minister for the Environment. The Agreement provides permanent protection for the special features of your land and is voluntary. The area under the Agreement is registered on the title of the land ensuring that if the land is sold, the Agreement and management requirements remain in place. For more information on VCAs see the Conservation Partners page on the DECC website.

Conservation Management Networks

Broadly, a Conservation Management Network (CMN) is a network of vegetation remnants, their managers and other interested parties. A key to the CMN model is a single administrative umbrella that coordinates the protection and management of a suite of widely dispersed, ecologically related remnants under different land tenures.

For more information on CMN�s see the Grassy Box Woodlands CMN webpage.

Volunteer work

Depending on where you live, there are a number of community groups that work to manage and restore native vegetation across the landscape such as, Bushcare, Landcare, Coastcare, Swampcare or Wetlandcare. Contact your local council and find out details for these groups in your local area. These groups are a means by which local people can improve their local environment in a hands-on way. These groups are involved in a number of activities including:

• Bush regeneration/rehabilitation
• Weed control programs
• Re_vegetation
• Wetland and Creek restoration projects
• Track construction/maintenance
• Seed collection and propagation