More than 2,640 native seedlings have now been planted at the Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve near Guyra as part of revegetation works being carried out by the NSW Government’s Local Land Services alongside local Aboriginal organisations and community members. The only site of its kind in the Northern Tablelands, the Reserve is Ramsar-listed and provides critical habitat for many native species.
The Highland Wetlands Conservation project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by Northern Tablelands Local Land Services, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.
Since the project began in 2023, 1,560 New England Peppermint (Eucalyptus nova-anglica) seedlings have been planted. Another 720 will be planted by 30 June 2027.
‘The wetlands provide an important ecosystem for a diverse range of native, including threatened, plant and animal species,’ said Anya Salmon, Senior Land Services Officer, Northern Tablelands Local Land Services.
‘They also provide refuge during drought for waterbirds like the Pacific black duck, grey teal, Australasian bittern, Australasian shoveler, blue-billed duck, magpie geese, Eurasian coot and white-faced heron,’ she said.
Key to success is the partnership and input from NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, which is assisting with site preparations, as well as Guyra Local Aboriginal Land Council and Banbai Rangers, who are supporting the planting program.
‘A highlight this year was having Banbai Junior Rangers and students from Guyra Central School helping at each planting session. They applied themselves fully to the task at hand, learned some valuable skills and got to spend time on Country,’ Anya said. ‘They were a pleasure to have around and we hope they’re able to be involved in remaining planting activities.’
To support the survival rate of the seedlings, they are being monitored throughout the project, which runs until 30 June 2028.
Revegetation works are just one component of this project, along with Bell’s turtle preservation, water quality and plant surveys, and invasive weed and pest animal control activities.
You can find out more about what’s happening at https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/local-land-services/projects/nht-highland-wetlands-conservation