Biodiversity

Draft Wild Fallow Deer Management Plan - have your say

The draft Wild Fallow Deer Management Plan has been released for public comment. The draft Plan is an important step in developing a 5-year plan for the management of wild fallow deer in the State of Tasmania and intends to ensure the impact of wild fallow deer on agricultural production, conservation areas and forestry are balanced with maintaining deer as...

Landcare Action Grants Program

The Tasmanian Government has allocated $900,000 over four years in the 2021-22 State Budget to continue the Landcare Action Grants Program, which builds on $1.8m in funding provided in previous years. The program provides State-funded grant opportunities to co-invest with farmers, Landcare and other community organisations on practical on-ground works for sustainable agriculture and Rivercare type activities.

Fire Prevention at Forest Operations Procedure update & subsidised fire training courses

The Tasmanian Forest Industry Fire Management Committee (FIFMC) have endorsed changes to the Fire Prevention at Forest Operations Procedures to minimise the incidence of wildfire resulting from forest and related operations and to ensure compliance with relevant regulations.

Report Rubbish and the Litter and Dumping Management System for Land Managers

The Tasmanian public can easily report litter and dumping of rubbish on public land on their smartphones, tablets and computers via a simple web application which forwards reports automatically to the relevant land manager. Developed by the state government to help reduce littering and dumping, Report Rubbish requests information about the location, quantity and type of rubbish found.

Planting trees for shelter, biodiversity and aesthetics, Gunningham Family Farms urges other Tasmanian Farmers to get on board

Dairying has always been in the blood of fifth generation family dairy farmers Matthew and Pip Gunningham, owners of Gunningham Family Farms. Moving from South West England to North West Tasmania over 20 years ago, the couple sought to continue the family business when they fell in love with the area and saw an opportunity to establish a dairy farm...

Why trees are integral to this farm's future

The integration of trees and encouraging biodiversity makes perfect sense to the owners of this North-West dairy farm.

Important safety work to begin on Tasman Highway at Paradise Gorge

The Department of State Growth has been monitoring the stability of rocks above the Tasman Highway at Paradise Gorge near Orford, and has received expert advice that there is a need to work swiftly to remove rock to manage the risk of a rock fall.

While the advice is that the road is currently safe to travel on, there is a...

Trial of early forest fire detection technology decreases response times and increases safety

A new camera-based fire detection system has been trialed in Tasmania for the first time by locally based forest management company SFM. The Firehawk system provides real time fire detection allowing for a rapid aerial-based response to potentially threatening bushfire ignitions and has been used successfully this fire season on Lenah Estate (formally Norske Skog), a 18,000 Hectare softwood plantation,...

Reshaping forest management in Australia to provide nature-based solutions to global challenges

A paper published on 16 March in Australian Forestry has called for the development of a new shared vision for the management of Australia’s forests.

The paper Reshaping forest management in Australia to provide nature-based solutions to global challenges, by Dr William Jackson and other members of the IFA/AFG, says it is time to move beyond the era of conflict and...

Paying Farmers for Biodiversity in Combination with Carbon Pilot

The Australian Government is encouraging the integration of trees on farms through its Carbon + Biodiversity Pilot which is part of its wider $34 million commitment to biodiversity stewardship on farms.

The Pilot’s objective is to encourage tree plantings that benefit farmers by providing shelter for livestock, improving soil moisture and reducing erosion while also encouraging positive biodiversity outcomes.

Introducing the General Biosecurity Duty from 31 March 2021

Following extensive industry and community consultation, the Biosecurity Act 2019 (the Act) introduces a new legal obligation in Tasmania known as the General Biosecurity Duty, or GBD.

The General Biosecurity Duty is expected to come into effect on 31 March 2021.

Bushfire - why risk it?

Tasmanians can now develop an online bushfire plan and better understand their bushfire risk using a new website launched 18 November 2020 as part of the Tasmanian Government’s commitment to keeping Tasmanians safe. The new ‘5-minute bushfire plan’ is an easy to use online tool that allows people to run through a questionnaire to plan what they’ll do to keep...

Have your say on Wild Fallow Deer Management Plan

The Tasmanian Government is committed to balancing the impact of deer on our important primary industries and environment while maintaining a deer herd as a traditional recreational hunting resource. Public input is now being sought to assist with the preparation of a state-wide Wild Fallow Deer Management Plan.

Are you affected by Illegal Firewood Harvesting?

How can the firewood industry become truly sustainable? PhD student Nizam Abdu is investigating how the firewood industry can become more sustainable and is looking to connect with private landowners affected by illegal firewood harvesting.

Planting trees helps this Coal River Valley winery maintain its sustainable farming methods

Anh Nguyen is the owner and operator of Ese Vineyards, a boutique vineyard in Tasmania’s Coal River Valley.While only operating on 6.5 hectares of land, what Nguyen is trying to achieve on her small family farm is a self-supporting system that improves instead of degrades the earth - and a product that consumers increasingly demand: biodynamic wine. The...

How strategically planted trees have transformed Nosswick

When Andrew Colvin purchased his farm, Nosswick, at Blackwood Creek in Tasmania’s north in 1981 it was basically bare. There was minimal fencing and scattered trees. Like a lot of farmers at the time, Andrew needed to increase production, so he put in a lot of infrastructure that required removal of many trees.

After the first five...

Windbreaks and Wildlife

University Nebraska, USD/Soil Conservation Service, North Dakota State University, Forest Stewardship Program, 2006

Windbreaks can support wildlife that add beauty and pleasure to our lives. They also sustain birds that can eat insects and pests, improve hunting opportunities and provide a focal point for family outdoor activities.

Learn more.

Farm Forestry: Designing for increased Biodiversity

Primary Industries and Resources SA, February 2002 - Peter Bulman, Zita Stokes, Andrew West, Brian Gepp, Jasemin Rose, Ann Prescott, Jeff Edwards, Mark Ellis

If you are looking at establishing farm forestry, or you have existing farm forestry plantings on your property, and wish to increase their biodiversity value then this booklet can help you. This booklet is aimed at landholders...

Establishing shelter in Canterbury with Nature Conservation in Mind

Environment Cantebury, Isaac Centre for Nature Conservation - CD Meurk, Landcare Research-Manaki Whenua

Hedgerows and shelterbelts are living windbreaks that can protect and preserve the environment and our cultural history. This article discusses how to do strategic plantings to achieve environmental benefits such as reduced evaporation loss, increased production, reduced wind etc.

Learn more.

Biodiversity outcomes from eucalypt plantation expansion into agricultural landscapes of southern Australia

Cooperative Research Centre for Forestry, September 2011 - P Grimbacher

Most new eucalpt plantations are established on what was previously agricultural land, and remnant vegetation often becomes embedded within plantation estates.

Given rapid landscape change, there is significant industry, community and scientific interest in how biodiversity values are affectd by forestry operations within plantation landscapes.

Learn more.