Three environmental groups in the Northern Rivers region have received $55,000 for major environmental repair work in the region. They are among the community environmental groups in New South Wales to have received funding through the Raymond Borland Bequest grants program, launched last year by Landcare Australia.
A total of $300,000 was awarded to 13 groups in New South Wales to undertake projects that will repair and restore the natural environment, thanks to a generous bequest from Sydney businessman, Raymond Borland, to Landcare Australia.
Big Scrub Rainforest Landcare Group, based in Bangalow, received $19,988 to restore two high-conservation-value big scrub lowland rainforest remnants – Booyong Flora Reserve and Mortons Scrub – whose lowland subtropical rainforest vegetation is listed as a critically endangered ecological community.
The project will also include an on-site field day.
Byron Creek Catchment Landcare Group received $15,000 to repair creekside vegetation on the properties of local landholders, which will protect and improve the water quality in the upper catchment of Byron Creek.
The project will involve local landholders in repairing the riparian vegetation on their properties, which will protect and improve the water quality in the upper catchment of Byron Creek. The effects of this will be seen in our local area, and also in the water quality of Byron Creek downstream.
EnviTE Environment received $20,894 to restore critically endangered lowland subtropical rainforest that links the Nightcap and Goonengerry National Parks, and extends work undertaken in a previous project funded by the NSW Environmental Trust. The project will be carried out on a property located in a narrow gorge between the parks forming a significant wildlife corridor.
The focus of this project is restoring the riparian area of the site which has not had previous work and consolidating this with regenerating areas. The property is located in a narrow gorge between the parks, forming a significant wildlife corridor.
Mick Delaney of EnviTE Environment believes that the funding can help the group achieve great outcomes.
‘Through this Raymond Borland Bequest grant from Landcare Australia we can restore habitat for 27 threatened species with a further 60 known to occur in a 5km radius. The bush regeneration works will stimulate natural regeneration in this highly resilient site and improve the health and connectivity of vegetation, which will improve native flora and fauna habitat and enhance resilience to climate change and other threats,’ he said.
