Continuing to connect the dots

Gary Cosgrove and his sons are enthusiastic farmers who are passionate about sustainable agriculture – epitomised by them recently completing two sustainability enhancement projects through NACC’s Biodiversity Program Habitat Fencing Incentives project.

Gary said he sees in real life the value of protecting on-farm remnant vegetation to provide areas of habitat for native fauna and flora.

The Cosgrove property – Grandview Farm – is situated just north of the Three Springs town site – an area characterised by heavy red clay to red loam soils.

The farm features plenty of these soils, plus breakaways and waterways which provide a home for a wide variety of native plant and animal species. This includes a number of declared rare flora including Acacia congesta subsp. cliftoniana, Acacia lanceolate, Acacia flabellifolia and Banksia borealis subsp. elatior.

Through NACC’s Biodiversity Program the Cosgroves recently completed erecting 6 kilometres of fencing which will protect two new areas of remnant vegetation on their farm – encompassing about 125Ha.

NRM Officer Jude Sutherland said it was heartening to see the interest, effort and passion of the Cosgroves.

“It’s fantastic to work with such passionate landholders – who are keen to protect their land for future generations,” she said.

“By fencing-off these patches of remnant vegetation, we are beginning to create a corridor that will enable native fauna to move through the landscape,” she said.

“This provides habitat, shelter, and protection for wildlife and enhances the area’s biodiversity.”

Gary told the Biodiversity team that he would  continue his work with NACC, and is looking forward to protecting more remaining remnant vegetation on his property, in the near future.

Although a busy farmer, running a large enterprise, Gary said he is always happy to take time out to have a chat about his property

“I would be keen to do more work on the property through NACC’s Habitat Fencing Incentive,” he said. “You can already see the difference we’re making here over a relatively small amount of time (about five years) between those areas fenced-off and those that aren’t.”

For more information about this project, please visit NACC’s Habitat Fencing Incentive project webpage, or contact your local NACC NRM Officer.

The project was proudly supported by Northern Agricultural Catchments Council through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme.