Protect and regenerate natural areas to improve productivity and resilience
Tweed Shire Council, Media Release, 24 November 2021
Tweed farmers are invited to attend a field day to learn why and how to restore and protect biodiversity on grazing properties.
The field day is being delivered by Council’s Sustainability and Environment team alongside Tweed farmers Rhonda and Greg James, who will host the event on their 220-hectare cattle grazing property at Cudgera Creek on Thursday 16 December 2021.
Rhonda and Greg have been balancing farming and natural area restoration on their property for more than 40 years. Rhonda is also one of Australia’s most experienced and highly-respected restoration ecologists and a former bushland restoration educator with TAFE NSW.
Council’s Program Leader – Sustainable Agriculture Eli Szandala said working to conserve and enhance biodiversity on farms would result in significant benefits for landowners.
“Plant and animal diversity is essential for nutrient cycling, pollination and the provision of clean water. This field day will focus on the benefits of biodiverse grazing systems and how to go about enhancing the environment while achieving production benefits at the same time,” Mr Szandala said.
The field day will provide helpful tips on how to recognise, prioritise and protect natural areas, farm design and the types of technical and financial support available. The day will also include a short farm walk to discuss natural area management, waterway health and pastures with Rhonda, Greg and the Council team.
The proof is in the pudding for the James family who have reaped the benefits of adopting farming practices that care for and enhance the natural environment.
“Managing our farm for cattle and biodiversity enabled us to retain all of our stock in good condition throughout the drought,” Ms James said.
“Pasture and waterways have recovered quickly as have the areas which include dual management of grazing and conservation.”
Since 2017, Council’s Sustainable Agriculture Program has delivered 16 workshops and field days to almost 500 Tweed farmers and landholders.
This workshop is being delivered with funding support from the NSW Government’s Environmental Trust. Places are limited, so only those actively farming or planning on farming in the immediate future are encouraged to attend. It will be a COVID-safe event.
To register for the workshop visit restoringbiodiversityworkshop.eventbrite.com.au. For more information visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/agriculture-projects or contact Council’s Program Leader – Sustainable Agriculture Eli Szandala on (02) 6670 2400.
