Critically endangered Plains-wanderers, one of the most unique birds in the world, has a brighter future thanks to farmers Andy and Judy McGillivray who have protected 239 ha of the birds’ grassland habitat on the Patho Plains in northern Victoria, on Yorta Yorta Country.

Plains-wanderers are ground-dwelling birds that are found only on grasslands in inland eastern Australia.

They are ranked number one in the world out of 9,983 bird species on the Zoological Society of Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered bird list. They have no close relatives anywhere in the world and are the sole member of an ancient avian family, the Pedionomidae.

The quail-sized bird has declined precipitously over the last decade, and there are fewer than a thousand left across the country.

Andy and Judy, who have already safeguarded 200 ha of Plains-wanderer habitat on two properties, said agreeing to protect another property was common sense.

“Ours is one of the best privately-owned parcels of land for this bird in the world,” Andy said.

“It’s a little bit of paradise for them, and I get a really nice feeling knowing that I’m protecting them. Protecting the land hasn’t changed the way I farm at all, so they’re a no brainer. Helping these important birds is not costing us anything.”

Andy and Judy have protected their land with conservation covenants through Trust for Nature. A conservation covenant is a voluntary, legally binding and permanent agreement that requires landholders to actively manage their land.

Farmers in north east Victoria are ensuring the survival of critically endangered Swift Parrots and Regent Honeyeaters by restoring habitat on their land.

Trust for Nature, in partnership with the North East Catchment Management Authority, have worked with 64 landholders to plant 44,000 bird-friendly trees and shrubs as part of Bush for Birds, a $5 million landscape-scale project restoring habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot.

With both birds threatened with extinction due to loss of habitat, there are now thought to be only around 300-400 Regent Honeyeaters and 1500-2000 Swift Parrots remaining in the wild.

Farmer Michael Schultz, near Springhurst, said participating in the project has been a win-win on his property, both for productivity and the environment.

“The project hasn’t affected productivity on our farm at all, like some people would expect. Instead, the project is enhancing our productivity. By planting areas with low-density trees and shrubs next to dams and thinning 5 hectares of existing bushland with unnaturally dense eucalypt regrowth, we’re improving water quality for stock and lowering the risk of damage in the event of a bushfire.”

The Board and Executive of Trust for Nature, one of Victoria’s oldest conservation organisations, have endorsed a ‘yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum on enshrining in the Constitution an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to parliament and government.

In a statement, the organisation strongly supported a Voice to “help to strengthen our partnership in working together to heal and protect Country.”

Corinne Proske, CEO at Trust for Nature, said supporting the Voice was important for the organisation’s conservation work.

“Aboriginal Victorians have cared for Country for thousands of years. To properly restore and safeguard the health of our environment, we must work with the original custodians of the land. Supporting First Nations self-determination is supporting healthy Country.

“The Voice referendum is an historic opportunity for us to grow and move forward as a nation. We all have a stake in the future of this land, and it’s our hope that everyone will participate in the upcoming vote,” Corinne said.

Endangered Raymond Island Spider-orchids, found only on Raymond Island, Gunaikurnai Country, in East Gippsland, have a more secure future thanks to landholders who have protected their main home.

The orchid’s primary colony has been protected under two conservation covenants through Trust for Nature, the first on Raymond Island, protecting 25 hectares forever.

“As long-term East Gippsland residents, we’re excited to have placed Trust for Nature conservation covenants on our land on Raymond Island,” said landholders Jane and David.

“We purchased this land with the intention of applying for a covenant. It’s a very special area of natural bushland on the island, with large tree species providing a canopy over smaller forest species with some rare orchids at ground level,” they said.

“We are pleased to ensure that these 25 hectares are preserved permanently as habitat for an extensive range of flora and fauna, and for Homo sapiens to enjoy and nurture.”

A conservation covenant is a voluntary, permanent, legally-binding agreement placed on a property’s title that ensures native vegetation is protected forever. The covenant limits activites that might damage the environment and requires the landholders to maintain and improve its health.

“The great thing about these two properties is that they are next to each and link to an area of core habitat within the Raymond Island Gippsland Lakes Reserve. This creates a continuous band of remnant vegetation that runs from the centre of the island to the southern shore,” said Trust for Nature Senior Conservation Officer Paul Harvey.

“The covenants have an overstorey of mature Southern Mahogany trees, which is very unusual on Raymond Island, and they have have never been cleared or logged. Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos and Koalas also live on the properties,” Paul said.

One of Victoria’s oldest conservation charities welcomes Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s commitment to reform our environmental protection laws.

Over the last 50 years Trust for Nature has protected 110,000 ha of freehold land in Victoria.

Last week the Australian Government announced plans to overhaul environmental laws, including introducing an independent, national, Environment Protection Authority.

CEO of Trust for Nature, Corinne Proske, says the changes will help build on the job we do. She said, “Trust for Nature was set up to increase conservation on private land.

“We protect threatened species, but we can’t successfully save them alone—we need a national legal framework in place that supports environmental protection and provides organisations, landholders and governments with clarity around their role in helping to preserve the habitats our plants and animals need to survive.”

To date over 1,500 Victorians have placed conservation covenants on their properties to permanently protect their conservation values.

The covenant remains on the property title, even after the property changes hands.

Corinne said, “We are really pleased to see the introduction of National Environmental Standards and a commitment to investigate barriers and incentives for the protection and restoration of biodiversity on private land.

“We also applaud the commitment to partner with First Nations to achieve better outcomes for community and nature. Improved cultural land management is  key to the sustainability of our environment.

“Plants and animals don’t recognise state and federal borders, so more support nationwide for habitat management and protection.”