GBSAN Landscape Linkages Project
Granite Belt Sustainable Action Network (GBSAN) and Ready to Adapt are supporting native species through the landscape linkages project.
The Granite Belt is known for its rocky outcrops and fabulous winemaking. Home to several well-known tourist attractions and reknown for its very distinctive seasonal weather variations, The Southern Downs as it is also known includes the towns of Stanthorpe, Warwick, and Allora and multiple small villages. Sharing the southern border of Queensland with the northern border of New South Wales Australia many habitats and species are also shared. The maps below identify a range of information that will help inform this project over time. This project explained below showcases our amazing district, its beauty and how we can protect it for the future.
What are we doing?
Many landowners identify with a previous program called Land for Wildlife that sought to identify and support land actively managed to ensure habitat for all species. It has been very successful in areas with a more urbanised population. Sadly, the program was under resourced in our district and has not provided the intended outcomes. We want to change that. Through the support of local landowners and various community groups including the original Land for Wildlife information we are seeking to map possible linkages or movement zones of wildlife as well as monitor for threatened species within the area.
Through this project we will be looking at ways to assist threatened species. We will be investigating and mapping our threatened and endangered species with sightings and information retrieved from publicly available databases.
Why are we doing this?
The Southern Downs Region including the areas of Maryland, Liston, Amosfield and Willson's Downfall just over the border in New South Wales are home to over 50 threatened or endangered species. Some of those species are found nowhere else in Australia. The district is also home to numerous National and State Conservation Areas managed by government however the majority of land is in the hands of private landholders. If we are to safeguard these species from further decline we must address conservation and protection on private lands. This means working together as a community to ensure non native animals and plants are restricted and managed, protective works such as leaky weirs and riparian zones are employed and that landowners are supported to do this with appropriate knowledge, support and finances. This benefits everyone in the community through nature based tourism, public good and natural beauty.
Shown here is the outline of the Southern Downs Regional Council Area along with current National & State Parks. We have also included current nature reserves listed with the State Governments. Typically these are on private property with owners entering into a covenant of protection with relevant departments for which they may or may not receive some funding to continue the work of protection and restoration.
Kurrajong Nature Refuge (pinned) links two sections of the Broadwater State Forest together providing a natural connection for the wildlife that inhabit this area. The land parcel is not huge, only 98 hectares, but its benefits are immeasurable.
In the example of Kurrajong Place Nature Refuge we can see that introducing State Government data for environmental significance the impact of this nature refuge begins to become clear.
The image shows an overlay of known threatened species habitat demonstrating the connections that Kurrajong Place has contributed to.
Adding the Regulated Vegetation for endangered ecosystems further demonstrates how the inclusion of the Nature Refuge has supported conservation around the Broadwater State Forest.
Want to see how your property might have a similar impact? Use the map to zoom in on your property and take a look at the values around you.
This map data is for Queensland only. We understand that wildlife and ecosystems don't respect lines drawn on a map so below we have included a NSW version for those on the other side of the border.
How to get involved?
The first step in this project is to identify all landowners who are actively managing their properties with wildlife in mind. Many have self identified through signage on fences and gates. Others are quietly doing the work without making much fuss about it or you might be a member of a bird watching group, field naturalists or wildflower consortiums. What ever way you are caring for nature we want to partner with you.
Fill in the form below to add your details to the database. We will be looking for the linkages that make sense in the landscape and working with landowners to build protection and restoration corridors like Kurrajong Place. We are not seeking to place covenants or specific agreements in place over your property nor are we sharing your personal information with any government departments. This is a voluntary project of like minded people wanting to ensure the natural beauty of our landscape. Please join us.
Together we can make a difference.
GBSAN Landscape Linkages Project
NSW Map Explorer
Details shown in this map are represented differently from Qld due to the datasets drawn upon. Exploring the map will give you the same information but does not include threatened species and ecosystems.
GB NSW Area Values
Contact
For information about this project please contact Geraldine at GBSAN via email geraldine8749@bigpond.com or Kym@readytoadapt.com
