Following four years of restoring Australian farmlands, Country Road and Landcare Australia are proud to announce the fifth farming family to join The Biodiversity Project – the Schwagers. The fifth project will support biodiversity outcomes for threatened species along 2.8 km of riparian and floodplain habitat on the Namoi River. The project will involve planting shrubs, understory, and canopy species to protect natural habitats and threated species.
Owned by Kevin and Mary-Ellen Schwager, the property known as ‘Wentworth’ is a 550-hectare dryland (non-irrigated) farming
Through The Biodiversity Project, Country Road proudly partners with Landcare Australia to support the restoration of Australian farmlands, with a focus on increasing biodiversity in cotton-growing regions. Since 2020, Country Road has provided over $1 million of funding to the program, raised through brand contributions and sales of its famous Verified Australian Cotton Heritage Sweat.
Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish said that this level of funding provides Landcare Australia with the means to deliver multiple biodiversity projects across local farming landscapes.
“Throughout our partnership with Country Road, Landcare Australia has worked with five Australian farming families to plant 18,300 seedlings along 14.4 km of riverbank in the Namoi Valley, rehabilitating a total of 102.6 hectares of native vegetation.
Together with Country Road, our work on The Biodiversity Project is achieving our shared vision to improve biodiversity and habitat connectivity, support threatened, vulnerable and iconic fauna species while also providing farming co-benefits.”
Kevin Schwager says being a part of The Biodiversity Project allows for them to play a part in societal change.
“We are fortunate to be in a position to showcase modern day farming in a constructive and purposeful light. [We aim to] play our part and to learn ways in which we can better contribute to social, economic, geographic and environmental cohesion.” – Kevin Schwager.
A mix of shrubs, understory and canopy species will be planted, specifically to:
· Increase habitat for browsing and wildlife movement along the riparian corridor.
· Increase the presence of pollinators, small birds and micro bats in the area.
- Increase native vegetation and canopy cover across the riparian and floodplain zone at Wentworth to help support ecosystems in the Namoi River catchment.
The Schwager project involves planting 4000 native seedlings on 43 hectares. These locally sourced natives, including River Red Gums, casuarina species and shrubs such as sweet bursaria, will increase habitat for wildlife along the riparian corridor.
Plants, seeds & more delivered to your door!
www.nativeshop.com.au
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