Trust for Nature is working with landowners in East Gippsland to protect threatened species like the Southern Brown Bandicoot and the Long-nosed Potoroo from fox predation and to improve habitat through weed control and fencing.
Small mammals were once common across East Gippsland but are now rarely spotted due to predation by foxes and degradation of their habitat caused by clearing, pest plants and animals and uncontrolled stock access.
A new Trust initiative called Conservation Management of Private Land – Eastern Forests is helping landowners improve habitat through on ground works.
The Trust’s Area Manager for Gippsland Robyn Edwards said, “The focus of the project is on existing properties that have conservation covenants and the private land surrounding these sites or that are adjacent to public land, as well as properties that form links that create landscape connectivity.
“Financial assistance is available to assist landowners within the project area with fox and weed control and fencing.”