Melbourne’s most threatened animals are getting a helping hand thanks to a new initiative to protect their habitat.
Melbourne Habitat Forever will create 15 new sanctuaries on private land for threatened animals like the Powerful Owl, Southern Brown Bandicoot, and Growling Grass Frog.
The project is being driven by Victorian conservation organisation Trust for Nature and funded by Melbourne Water.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to protect habitat for these threatened species,” said Ben Cullen, South Central Area Manager at Trust for Nature. “It will help us improve the health of waterways and connect ecosystems around the edge of the city.”
“Melbourne is known for its city life, and I hope that one day it will be just as famous for its thriving biodiversity and ecosystems,” said Ben.
Melbourne Habitat Forever will create 15 new sanctuaries on private land for threatened animals like the Powerful Owl, Southern Brown Bandicoot, and Growling Grass Frog.
The project is being driven by Victorian conservation organisation Trust for Nature and funded by Melbourne Water.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to protect habitat for these threatened species,” said Ben Cullen, South Central Area Manager at Trust for Nature. “It will help us improve the health of waterways and connect ecosystems around the edge of the city.”
“Melbourne is known for its city life, and I hope that one day it will be just as famous for its thriving biodiversity and ecosystems,” said Ben.
Melbourne Water Executive General Manager, Service Futures Chris Brace said that the partnership is a great example of how landholders and community can help secure Melbourne’s environmental future.
“Protecting biodiversity and healthy waterways go hand in hand. By supporting habitat on private land, we’re creating vital links across the landscape for species, ecosystems and future generations,” he said.
Trust for Nature will work with landholders to protect habitat on their properties forever with conservation covenants. These agreements restrict threats such as clearing and intensive farming. Registered on a property’s title, the covenant continues to protect habitat when the property is sold.
Grassy woodlands, wetlands and habitat along waterways are some of the threatened ecosystems that the project will focus on, which are increasingly under pressure from climate change and development
These habitats provide homes for threatened wildlife like the Powerful Owl, Southern Brown Bandicoot and Growling Grass Frog, which have declined due to loss and degradation of their habitat, invasive species, and climate change.
Powerful Owls are Australia’s largest owls, and depend on large, old trees for the hollows where they roost and nest. Southern Brown Bandicoots are now restricted to isolated populations in south east Melbourne.
Growling Grass Frogs were once widespread across Victoria, but have declined and wetlands around Melbourne are now a core of their distribution.
Trust for Nature will work with landholders to develop a management plan to look after habitat, and provide ongoing support through the organisation’s Stewardship Program. It will also work with Traditional Owners to identify and protect culturally significant properties.
For media enquiries, please contact communications@tfn.org.au
“Protecting biodiversity and healthy waterways go hand in hand. By supporting habitat on private land, we’re creating vital links across the landscape for species, ecosystems and future generations,” he said.
Trust for Nature will work with landholders to protect habitat on their properties forever with conservation covenants. These agreements restrict threats such as clearing and intensive farming. Registered on a property’s title, the covenant continues to protect habitat when the property is sold.
Grassy woodlands, wetlands and habitat along waterways are some of the threatened ecosystems that the project will focus on, which are increasingly under pressure from climate change and development
These habitats provide homes for threatened wildlife like the Powerful Owl, Southern Brown Bandicoot and Growling Grass Frog, which have declined due to loss and degradation of their habitat, invasive species, and climate change.
Powerful Owls are Australia’s largest owls, and depend on large, old trees for the hollows where they roost and nest. Southern Brown Bandicoots are now restricted to isolated populations in south east Melbourne.
Growling Grass Frogs were once widespread across Victoria, but have declined and wetlands around Melbourne are now a core of their distribution.
Trust for Nature will work with landholders to develop a management plan to look after habitat, and provide ongoing support through the organisation’s Stewardship Program. It will also work with Traditional Owners to identify and protect culturally significant properties.
For media enquiries, please contact communications@tfn.org.au