On-farm conservation gets $3m boost

At a farm at Macclesfield today, Environment and Water Minister David Speirs said the program, which already has 1609 agreements in place covering 1.47 million hectares, was a great example of government and private owners working together for conservation purposes.

He said SA was in the unique position of having 21 per cent of the state held in reserved estate, such as national parks, but these partnerships would help expand the areas preserved.

Grants of up to $10,000 are available from today until September 15 to help those with existing Heritage Agreements in place to improve their bushland. Grants of more than $10,000 will be available in March, 2021.

"This gives landholders the incentive, motivation, skills and know-how to take on a conservation agreement," Mr Speirs said.

He said the large grants category would likely involve collaboration between landholders on multiple properties.

Ned Ryan-Schofield, who grew up with a 24ha Heritage Agreement on his family's beef cattle farm, said there had been widespread benefits from the preserved scrubland.

He said as well as the agricultural benefits of pollination services, shelter for calving cows and erosion prevention on hill tops, he said it also provided satisfaction in preserving an important space, as well as serving as a playground for he and his brother growing up.

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Janet Furler, HIndmarsh Tiers, who also had one-fifth of her 500ha sheep and cattle property involved in a Heritage Agreement said there was widespread value.

"Ours was set up 20 years ago, just because we thought it was some nice scrub to be protected, and we've had various experts come through and point out 'that's a rare plant'," she said.

"There are hidden gems in most patches of scrub."

She said they had been doing biological surveys for the past two decades and found the number of fauna in the heritage area had grown, even during the years of drought.

The project will delivered by the Nature Foundation in partnership with Trees for Life, Conservation Council, Livestock SA and Nature Conservation Society.

Nature Foundation chief executive officer Hugo Hopton said these partnerships would allow expertise and resources to improve the conservation outcomes and financial sustainability of the properties.

Livestock SA executive officer Andrew Curtis said the Revitalising Private Conservation in SA program recognised the opportunities for on-ground action for landholders.

Landholders interested in establishing Heritage Agreements on their land can also apply to participate.

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