WIMMERA groups will receive about $125,000 to improve and expand native plant and animal habitats.
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Barengi Gadjin Land Council, Hindmarsh Landcare Network, and Rainbow and District Landcare Group were among 110 groups to receive money through the state government’s Biodiversity On-ground Action program.
The landcare network’s share of $33,100 will go towards community planting for threatened flora, while the landcare group will use $50,000 to protect Buloke woodlands in the southern Mallee.
Land council chief executive Michael Stewart said the group would use its $40,000 allocation to increase diversity in Wail State Forest between Dimboola and Horsham.
“There are lots of strands of trees there from the old Forestry Commission days, many that aren’t from the area,” he said.
“There are also European species scattered around the place. We really want to showcase the natural biodiversity of the area.
“We're in a joint venture for running the nursery at Wail, which specialises in plants that are native to the Wimmera and Mallee.
“We want to see the natural value preserved.”
Mr Stewart said the area was home to grey box grassy woodlands, a nationally-listed threatened ecosystem.
He said protecting this habitat was a focus for the council, and the grant would go towards planting seeds.
“We will be seed collecting soon, and will hopefully be able to plant next year,” he said.
Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford said the grants would help conservation groups to address threats and safeguard biodiversity.
“Many within the community are already hard at work helping protect and preserve local native flora and fauna,” she said.
“In the past year many dedicated community groups across Western Victoria have helped to reduce threats and improve the survival of threatened species."