Enhancing Farm Biodiversity

Protecting Remnant Bush. Strengthening Farms. Supporting Biodiversity.

The Lower Blackwood LCDC, in partnership with Nature Conservation Margaret River, 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 with grazing properties to protect and restore their remnant bush (native vegetation including trees, shrubs and soils that has survived clearing, development or agricultural alteration, and is now serving as a reservoir for biodiversity) through on-ground works, training, and expert guidance from our staff.

The project will also strengthen the knowledge and capacity of the Lower Blackwood LCDC and Indigenous Rangers to undertake local seed collection and storage.

Why It Matters

Healthy remnant bush provides critical habitat and landscape for native species and pollinators, improves landscape resilience, and contributes to long-term farm productivity and sustainability.

Improving these areas delivers farm benefits, including:

• Reduced erosion
• Improved stock shelter
• Healthier soils
• Greater climate resilience

By protecting and enhancing these areas, landholders play a direct role in safeguarding the biodiversity of the Lower Blackwood and 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:

• Fencing materials to exclude livestock from remnant bush and protect it from grazing pressure
• Pre-planting weed control to prepare sites for restoration
• Revegetation with endemic native species

Additional support includes:

• Educational resources
• Workshops and field days
• One-on-one project guidance

Who Can Apply?

This program is open to grazing properties within the Shire of Augusta Margaret River and Lower Blackwood Catchment boundaries.

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
• 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:

• Include under-represented vegetation types as mapped in the Shire of Augusta Margaret River’s Local Biodiversity Action Strategy
• Already fenced or readily able to be fenced
• Larger or wider remnants (generally >2 ha preferred)
• Strong connectivity to other patches of high-quality remnant vegetation
• Good vegetation condition and capacity for natural regeneration
• Higher native plant diversity, including mature trees
• 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
• Have under-represented vegetation types as mapped in the Shire of Augusta Margaret River’s Local Biodiversity Action Strategy (link to biodiversity strategy)
• Presence of Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs)
• Presence of Declared Rare Flora (DRF)
• Suitability of vegetation type for revegetation (some systems, e.g. peppermint or sheoak woodlands, may not benefit from planting)

Participation requirement:

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.

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 info@lowerblackwood.com.au and include the following:

• Brief project description
• Map or location screenshot
• Relevant Aboriginal heritage information (if applicable)

Applications will be assessed and notified by 31 July 2026.

Contact

Declan McGill, Project Officer, 0499 037 126 declan.mcgill@lowerblackwood.com.au