Grassy Eucalypt Woodland Stewardship Program

The Grassy Eucalypt Woodlands Stewardship Program supports land managers to protect critically endangered Grassy Eucalypt Woodlands and Natural Temperate Grasslands on the Victorian Volcanic Plain that remain on private land.

Grassy Eucalypt Woodlands and Natural Temperate Grasslands on the Victorian Volcanic Plain are generally dominated by native tussock-forming grasses with a variety of herbs and wildflowers interspersed amongst the grasses. 

These ecological communities are very closely related and often intergrade. The woodlands contain a tree canopy, mainly Eucalypts of which many are hundreds of years old.

These grassy woodlands and natural grasslands provide critical habitat for a variety of animals including Fat-tailed Dunnarts, Striped Legless Lizards, Golden Sun Moths and Growling Grass Frogs.

What is the Grassy Eucalypt Woodlands Stewardship Program?

The Grassy Eucalypt Woodlands Stewardship Program supports private land managers to:

• Identify the plants and animals that live within the Grassy Eucalypt Woodlands and Natural Temperate Grasslands on their property.

• Learn how to further protect and enhance these critically endangered communities through site visits, field days and workshops.

• Protect the Grassy Eucalypt Woodlands and Natural Temperate Grasslands on their property with financial support for a range of conservation management actions including fencing to enable management of stock and seasonal grazing, ecological burning, and pest plant and animal control.

• Be supported by a network of experienced and knowledgeable organisations and land managers including farmers who are also protecting their remnant patches

Target Region:

The Grassy Eucalypt Woodlands Stewardship Program target region encompasses the area east from Shelford to the western flank of the You Yangs, to Inverleigh in the south and Meredith in the north. Sites outside of the target area on the Victorian Volcanic Plains will also be considered.

How to get Involved:

Attend a 2 hour information workshop (more information here:  https://geelonglandcarenetwork.org.au/events ).

Private landholders interested in the program are encouraged to contact the Corangamite CMA to register an expression of interest. Registered expressions of interest may receive an obligation-free site assessment and a draft management plan. 

The management plan will include an assessment of the relevant grassy woodland and grassland vegetation, identification of threats to the conservation values of the site and advice on recommended management options related to the native ecological communities on their property. 

Sites will be assessed based on conservation values and value for money, and successful landholders will be given the opportunity to enter a voluntary agreement with the Corangamite CMA to receive financial incentives and ongoing support to protect and enhance their grassy woodland and grasslands. 

Contact:

To learn more about or make a booking for one of the workshops please contact Jo Solomon on 0438 828 042.

If you are interested in learning more about the program, please contact Jess Lill on 0477 719 149 or jess.lill@ccma.vic.gov.au. You can also visit https://ccma.vic.gov.au/project/grassy-eucalypt-stewardship-program/