About the Project
South West NRM has been engaged by the National Trust of Western Australia to undertake stewardship visits and update Bushland Management Plans for 23 properties protected through its Conservation Covenant and Stewardship Program.
The National Trust’s program enables private landholders to voluntarily protect areas of significant natural heritage through conservation covenants. Registered on the property title, covenants provide long-term protection while landholders retain ownership and day-to-day management of their property.
Through this project, South West NRM will review existing covenant information, undertake stewardship visits, prepare Stewardship Reports and update Bushland Management Plans for the 23 properties.
A mature grass tree (Xanthorrhoea sp.) towers over South West NRM Technical Officer Environment Jade Riley in Wilyabrup, where a conservation covenant helps protect an established area of native bushland for the long term.
Why this project matters
Private land accounts for a significant proportion of Australia’s natural heritage and can include important native vegetation, wildlife habitat and areas supporting threatened species. Conservation covenants provide a way for landholders to protect these areas for the long term.
Each covenanted area represents a commitment to protecting a piece of our natural heritage, and together they make an important contribution to conservation across the South West.
Ongoing stewardship helps support that commitment, providing updated information about each property and practical guidance for its management into the future.
The National Trust’s Conservation Covenant and Stewardship Program currently includes almost 200 registered covenants protecting around 20,000 hectares across Western Australia.
Conservation covenants are registered on the property title, so their protections remain in place when a property changes ownership.
What we're doing
South West NRM is undertaking stewardship work across 23 covenant properties throughout the South West.
For each property, we will:
- Review existing covenant documentation, previous Stewardship Reports and Bushland Management Plans
- Review available information about the property, including records of threatened flora and fauna in the area
- Engage with landholders as required
- Undertake an on-ground stewardship visit during the peak flowering period and record flora and fauna observed during the visit
- Assess vegetation condition, regeneration and habitat values
- Consider management issues and threats including weeds, feral animals, grazing, disease, fire and fencing
- Prepare a Stewardship Report documenting findings from the visit
- Update the property’s Bushland Management Plan with management recommendations, actions and priorities
- Incorporate feedback from the National Trust and landholder into the final plan
Resources
Project partners and funding
The project is being delivered by South West NRM for the National Trust of Western Australia as part of its Conservation Covenant and Stewardship Program.
