“For the last eight years we’ve been concentrating on getting rid of the blackberries. There were areas where they just dominated. Pulling them back has changed the whole property in terms of its appearance and the habitat potential for different animals and plants,” David says.
The property is home to towering mountain gums and silvertops, huge blackwoods and gullies filled with tree ferns. It will continue to change as species adapt and move with climate change, some disappearing, others finding a new refuge.
Formerly a soil scientist, David is keenly aware of the importance of the ecosystem services the property provides.
Formerly a soil scientist, David is keenly aware of the importance of the ecosystem services the property provides.
“I like to think of ecosystem services as important to all life on the planet, not just people. Catchments are very important – we want to deliver high volumes of good quality water. We’re not to control nature through management, we’re trying to assist nature in doing its own thing.”
In 2019 David registered the property with Land for Wildlife.
“It makes a commitment, and it’s a valuable tool for giving us access to information,” he says.
Since then, supported by the Australian Government’s Protecting Important Biodiversity Areas Program, David has protected the property forever with a conservation covenant, contributing half the costs of covenanting.
“It’s locking in the commitment beyond me. It recognises other people’s appreciation of the property, and our obligation to look after it. I don’t see the property as a possession, I am just the caretaker for the time being.”
Supported by the Australian Government’s Protecting Important Biodiversity Areas Program, Trust for Nature is partnering with landholders to permanently protect habitat with conservation covenants, with landholders contributing half of the cost of covenanting.
Register your interest here.
Watch more of David and Mary’s story below.
Register your interest here.
Watch more of David and Mary’s story below.