Native habitat that’s home to one of the most critically endangered birds in NSW has received an $800,000 funding injection to protect and restore biodiversity.
This project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by Western Local Land Services, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.
The grey range thick-billed grasswren is a rangeland species found only in the state’s far north-west in arid shrubland.
It was previously considered extinct due to widespread habitat degradation, until a small number of sightings were recorded in Mutawintji National Park between 2011 and 2013.
A new project aims to build on earlier, targeted efforts to identify and rehabilitate the bird’s habitat in collaboration with landholders and Aboriginal communities.
Western Local Land Services will regenerate the saltbush and bluebush the bird lives and breeds in. Other stakeholders, including Mutawintji Board of Management and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, are also involved in delivering the project.
Western Local Land Services General Manager, Erlina St Vincent, said it’s hoped this will increase species populations.
“By applying rangeland rehabilitation techniques to rehydrate the landscape and reduce erosion, we aim to encourage habitat regeneration, which will have positive impacts for other flora and fauna within this delicate ecosystem,” Ms St Vincent said.
“Three separate species of threatened grasswren are known to exist in downs country of the far west so it won’t only be the grey range thick-billed subspecies to benefit from the work.”
Western Local Land Services will engage with private landholders in the Milparinka and Packsaddle areas as well as Traditional Owners to undertake the project.
“We are particularly excited to increase awareness of the species among regional communities and incorporate the valuable knowledge of Traditional Owners spanning tens of thousands of years,” Ms St Vincent added.
The project has commenced and will be delivered over the next 4 years, ending June 2028. Work includes monitoring of the grey range thick-billed grasswrens and land systems.
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