In spring 2013, 30 flora and fauna surveys were conducted across 24 farms of land holder’s involved in the Cross Property Planning project. Dr Fiona Christie (University of Melbourne) was engaged to undertake formal bird surveys, while Alison Elvin (Natural Capital) was engaged to complete the flora surveys.
The aim of the surveys was multi-purpose:
- To provide a snapshot of species diversity ‘on farm’ throughout the region;
- To provide farmers involved in the project with information about the species found on their site, and the implications that may have for their ongoing management of that site;
- To encourage farmers to continue to participate in conserving biodiversity on their farm, and across the broader landscape, whilst not impacting on the productivity of their farm;
- To provide baseline flora and fauna information to the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) database, adding to the data available for scientific analysis; and
- To help guide Murrumbidgee Landcare’s future connectivity programs.
