Private Land Conservation Matters

What is Private Land Conservation?

Private land conservation refers to private landholders taking action to protect and preserve natural assets and biodiversity on their property. It may involve actively protecting native vegetation or restoring ecosystem health and function for the benefit of our unique native biodiversity.
 

Why does it Matter? NSW is large, totalling around 81 million hectares of land. About 9% of that is currently conserved under the National Reserve System (which includes National Parks (7 million Ha), Indigenous Protected Areas (16000Ha) and privately protected areas with permanent conservation covenants (27500Ha). Landholders that prioritise and manage biodiverse rich areas for conservation are joining a growing movement of like-minded folks who are taking meaningful action to expand our National Reserve System to protect nature, support a future that is more resilient to climate change, and ensure native plants and animals have the habitat they need to survive and thrive. What conservation options are available to local landholders? MidCoast2Tops Landcare has a designated Project Officer to support landholders who are interested in managing their land for the benefit of biodiversity conservation. We can advise landholders in the best private land conservation option for them and offer one- on-one site inspections to landholders who sign up for the Land for Wildlife program. Land for Wildlife is also perfect stepping stone for landholders interested in private land conservation, and can offer pathways to permanent conservation agreements with the Biodiversity Conservation Trust.

Local Program

Our Private Land Conservation Matters program also offers an engaging educational program to landholders with an interest in biodiversity, natural area restoration and conservation. The Private Land Conservation Matters Program is funded by the Biodiversity Conservation Trust in partnership with Landcare NSW and is supported locally by MidCoast Council.
The Private Land Conservation (Matters) program has been running in our area since 2021. We have held over 40 events with over 1200 landholders to date (June 2025).

Events have offered conservation-minded people an opportunity to learn more about biodiversity and share their own knowledge and experience with like-minded folks. The program will continue to promote the conservation efforts of private landholders in our region and raise awareness of the Biodiversity Conservation Trust. We offer networking and co-learning opportunities for landholders with an interest in biodiversity management.

Want to find out more?

Reach out to our Private Land Conservation Officer:
Isabelle Strachan
plc@midcoast2tops.org.au
0413113315