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 provides critical habitat for native species and pollinators, improves landscape resilience, and contributes to long-term farm productivity and sustainability.
Improving these areas delivers farm benefits, including:
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Reduced erosion
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Improved stock shelter
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Healthier soils
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Greater climate resilience
By protecting and enhancing these areas, landholders play a direct role in safeguarding the biodiversity of the Augusta Margaret River region.
What the Project Offers
Eligible landholders can access support for projects that improve the condition of remnant vegetation.
Funding and assistance may include:
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Fencing materials to exclude livestock from remnant bush and protect it from grazing pressure
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Pre-planting weed control to prepare sites for restoration
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Revegetation with local native species
Additional support includes:
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Educational resources
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Workshops and field days
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One-on-one project guidance
Who Can Apply?
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:
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Watercourses on grazing properties within the Healthy Estuaries WA Hardy Inlet Catchment
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Sites already supported through the Nature Conservation Margaret River and Wines of WA Dam Demonstration Sites
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Sites where weed infestations are so extensive that restoration is unlikely to be achievable within the project scope
Priority consideration will be given to sites that meet the following criteria:
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Include under-represented vegetation types as mapped in the Shire of Augusta Margaret River’s Local Biodiversity Action Strategy
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Already fenced or readily able to be fenced
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Larger or wider remnants (generally >5 ha preferred)
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Strong connectivity to other patches of high-quality remnant vegetation
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Good vegetation condition and capacity for natural regeneration
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Higher native plant diversity, including mature trees
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Provides habitat for endangered or vulnerable fauna such as the Carnaby’s Cockatoo, Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Baudin’s Cockatoo and Western Ringtail Possum
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Presence of Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs)
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Presence of Declared Rare Flora (DRF)
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Suitability of vegetation type for revegetation
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:
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Assessing the condition of remnant bush
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Developing a farm biodiversity plan
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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 info@lowerblackwood.com.au
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Brief project description
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Map or location screenshot
Applications will be assessed and notified by 31 July 2026.
Contact:
Cass Jury cass.jury@natureconservation.
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
