This information is relevant across Victoria. Revegetation is very location specific; consult local experts, community groups and your Trust for Nature manager for further advice. Many region-specific guides are available. 

• Prioritise protecting existing habitat and encouraging natural regeneration 

• Apart from increasing habitat for wildlife, benefits of revegetation include: 

• Shade and shelter for livestock 

• Improved water quality 

• Soil stabilisation and erosion control 

• Weed management 

• Increased carbon stored in vegetation and soil 

• Develop a plan for revegetation that considers your site, neighbouring properties, and wider landscape 

• Prepare site for planting at least 12 months before revegetation 

• Monitor revegetation after planting 

• Many funding opportunities for assistance with revegetation exist. Discuss with your Trust for Nature manager 

Planning 

• Consider area for revegetation and how it connects to areas of existing habitat. Suitable sites for revegetation may include: 

• • Along and around waterways 

• • Around existing habitat  

• Along fencelines 

• • Corridors that connect existing habitat 

• • Corners of paddocks 

• • Degraded habitat where key species have been reduced or lost 

• Choose plants that already exist or would likely have existed in habitat on your property 

• Build a species list of plants for revegetation: 

• • Identify plants already growing on your property 

• • Use tools such as local plant guides and NatureKit 

• Choose plants specific to areas of your property such as wet gullies or dry ridges 

• Aim for diversity of structure and species, including a mix of trees, shrubs and groundcovers 

• Plan revegetation in stages. Consider planting a mix of trees and understorey vegetation first 

• Consider non-living elements of habitat such as rocks and logs 

Preparation 

• Start preparing revegetation site at least 12 months before planting 

• Control weeds and pest animals, especially rabbits and other herbivores 

• Consider if soil preparation techniques are needed to improve soil aeration and moisture such as ripping or mounding  

Planting 

• There are two main methods for revegetation: 

• • Direct seeding involves placing plant seeds directly into soil 

• • Planting involves placing young plants in soil 

• Choose method of revegetation based on site and resources. In general, direct seeding by machine is cheaper and planting by hand is more resource-intensive 

• Quantities of plants or seeds required are specific to type of habitat 

• Time planting or seeding for growing season when temperatures and moisture are suitable (usually autumn, winter and spring in Victoria) 

• Aim for a patchy revegetation rather than rows or stands of one species 

• Watering (or hydrogel crystals) at planting can be useful, but in general water and fertiliser are not required after planting or seeding 

• Fence revegetated areas to manage grazing and introduced animals such as rabbits 

• Use tree guards where necessary, but these can be costly and resource-intensive 

• Monitor revegetation and record survival of plants at regular intervals 

• Revegetation takes time – don’t be disheartened by slow results 

• Control weeds and pest animals as required 

• Replace dead plants as needed 

• Thin seedlings and young plants if necessary 

• Take photos before and after revegetation to monitor changes 

• Record species of animals and plants 

• Coordinate revegetation with other landholders and community to increase impact across landscape 

• A Guide for Establishing Native Vegetation in Victoria – Greening Australia
• The BushBank Program – Private Land Stream – Cassinia Environmental  
• Find a Group – Landcare Australia
• Revegetation guide – Upper Goulburn Landcare Network
• Bush patch and shelterbelt planting guide – Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network