The Iconic Estates Eastern Forests project worked with landowners in East Gippsland to protect a range of forest types with conservation covenants, giving the habitat of native animals long term security.

East Gippsland Conservation Officer, Paul Harvey, said, “It’s really important that we look after the habitat of our native mammals, birds and reptiles, not just because they play an important part in the ecosystem but for future generations.

“East Gippsland has an amazing diversity of forests, including threatened Rainforests, Box Forests and Grassy Forest types.

“Dry forest and forests with old habitat trees are important too for a range of threatened animals such as the Southern Brown Bandicoot, Eastern Quoll, Goanna, Barking Owl and the Swift Parrot”.

Paul explained that, “The project is focused on delivering permanent protection in conjunction with landholders through conservation covenants.

“These voluntary, on title agreements allow private landowners to conserve natural habitat on their properties in perpetuity protecting our heritage through successive generations”.

Incentives were available to landholders to assist with covenanting and any associated fencing.