Enhancing Farm Biodiversity

Protecting Remnant Bush. Strengthening Farms. Supporting Biodiversity.

Nature Conservation Margaret River Region in partnership with the Lower Blackwood LCDC, is delivering a collaborative Enhancing Farm Biodiversity Project – a three-year initiative funded by the WA Government’s State NRM Program.

This project will support rural landholders to protect and restore their remnant bush (native plants) through on-ground works, training, and expert guidance from our staff.

The project will also strengthen the knowledge and capacity of the organisations and partners to undertake local seed collection and storage.

Why It Matters

Healthy remnant bush and well-designed shelterbelts play an important role in maintaining productive and resilient farming landscapes.

Remnant vegetation provides critical habitat and movement corridors for native wildlife and pollinators, while helping maintain biodiversity across the region. Native shelterbelts can further strengthen landscape connectivity by linking isolated patches of vegetation and creating additional habitat within cleared agricultural areas.

Beyond biodiversity benefits, shelterbelts and protected bush areas can provide important on-farm outcomes including:

• Reduced wind erosion

• Improved stock shelter and shade

• Reduced heat and wind stress on livestock

• Healthier soils and improved moisture retention

• Protection of pastures and infrastructure

• Greater resilience to drought and climate variability

What the Project Offers

Eligible landholders may receive support to improve the condition, extent, and connectivity of remnant vegetation and establish native shelterbelts on grazing properties.

Funding and assistance includes:

• Fencing materials to exclude livestock from remnant bush and shelter belts to protect from grazing pressure

• Pre-planting weed control to prepare sites for restoration

• Revegetation using locally appropriate native species, selected with project partners

• Establishment of native shelterbelts designed to suit local conditions and farming operations

Who Can Apply?

This program is open to rural properties within the  Shire of Augusta Margaret River.

Projects must protect and enhance remnant bush and on-farm biodiversity.

If you’re unsure about eligibility, please contact us to discuss your project idea.

To ensure funding supports real improvements in biodiversity and remnant bush protection, all applications will be assessed against eligibility requirements and project criteria.

Ineligible sites:

Watercourses on grazing properties within the Healthy Estuaries WA  Hardy Inlet Catchment
Sites already supported through the Nature Conservation Margaret River and Wines of WA Dam Demonstration Sites

How To Get Involved

If you’re planning to apply for funding, we strongly encourage you to attend the first three project workshops, running in August, September and October 2026 (more details coming soon).

These workshops will help you build practical skills in:

Assessing the condition of remnant bush
Developing a farm biodiversity plan
Understanding the steps involved in successful revegetation

They’re open to all landholders, not just farmers.

How to Apply:

Submit an Expression of Interest via email to declan.mcgill@lowerblackwood.com.au and include the following:

Brief project description
Map or location screenshot

Applications will be assessed and notified by 31 July 2026.

Contact:

Cass Jury, Program Manager, Nature Conservation Margaret River Region at cass.jury@natureconservation.org.au or 9757 2202.

Declan McGill, Project Officer, Lower Blackwood LCDC, at declan.mcgill@lowerblackwood.com.au or 0499 037 126.

Address

Community Resource Centre
33 Tunbridge Street
Margaret River WA 6285

Postal Address

PO Box 1749  Margaret River WA. 6285

Contact Us

Phone: (08) 9757 2202
Email: info@natureconservation.org.au