The co-ordination and regional delivery of the Land for Wildlife (LFW) scheme in New South Wales. LFW is a non-statutory entry level conservation program that encourages landholders to register their commitment to conserving wildlife habitat on their property. LFW gives landholders information and support to help them manage wildlife habitat on their property. It also provides networking opportunities to share experiences with other landholders.

LFW commenced in Victoria where it has been in operation since November 1981. The scheme arose as a result of regular 'core group' meetings held between the then Fisheries and Wildlife Service and the Bird Observers Club of Australia. Since 1997, the scheme has extended to other states and operates under a common set of principles and standards contained in the 'Arrangement to Co-ordinate Land for Wildlife schemes 2000'.

LFW was delivered from 2000 to 2007 through an arrangement with the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS), now part of the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW (DECC). The LFW scheme was piloted in Ballina, Central Coast, Hornsby and NSW Murray catchment. Evaluation of the pilot scheme has shown significant potential for further development and expansion. 

The Community Environment Network (CEN) is an alliance of community and environment groups from Gosford, Wyong and Lake Macquarie and works for ecologically sustainable development and against threats to it. The CEN was formed in 1997 as the Central Coast Community Environment Network and has expanded the network beyond the region since 2005.

In 2007 the NPWS (now part of DECC) indicated that they needed to focus efforts and resources on the establishment of Conservation Agreements and Wildlife Refuges under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 as part of its Conservation Partners Program. Hence, CEN became LFW State Co-ordinators in a agreement with LFW Victoria. Since then a partnership has existed between CEN and DECC for delivery of LFW in NSW.

The value of LFW is as a non-statutory registration scheme for landholders who wish to manage conservation values on their property. For many landholders, LFW provides a non-threatening, entry level option that meets their current needs, and helps build receptive communities. In time, this may lead to more binding statutory conservation commitments as landholders become familiar with the benefits of involvement. Local experience suggests that many private landholders would not take a first step towards conservation if such an entry level program were not available. As a result, LFW complements the initiatives of DECC in promoting statutory Conservation Agreements and Wildlife Refuges. It may also complement incentive programs provided by Catchment Management Authorities.

Coordination Role

CEN’s role as a state coordinator will include the following:

• Promote LFW to potential partner organisations (“LFW Regional Providers”)
• Enter into Third Party Agreements with LFW Regional Providers
• Provide training and development to staff from LFW providers
• Provide and manage a central registration and information database for LFW members
• Coordinate the delivery of LFW signs to LFW providers (to then be delivered to LFW members)
• Provide a state wide newsletter and website pages for LFW members and providers
• Monitor and report on efforts and achievements of the LFW program in NSW

In addition, CEN will:

• actively seek to expand the LFW to other areas currently not delivering the program
• provide a network to staff working for LFW providers through an email-list, annual workshop and support visits (minimum of 1 per year in addition to workshop)
• act as a conduit between DECC and LFW providers through exchange of information and encourage active participation of landholders with statutory arrangements such as Conservation Agreements and Wildlife Refuges
• support and complement the work of DECC through offering this entry level program as a first step to more binding, statutory commitments such as Conservation Agreements and Wildlife Refuges

Conservation partnership with DECC

CEN and the Conservation Partnerships Unit work in partnership in the following ways:

• Provide opportunities to promote LFW in the Conservation Partners Program newsletter Bush Matters
• Encourage cross promotion of non-statutory and statutory conservation options for landholders
• Provide advice and assistance to ensure a consistent and coordinated approach to programs
• Arrange for reports on efforts and achievements of LFW to be recognised and communicated