Free plants for KI landholders recovering from fires

Support for KI landholders to rebuild their windbreaks and shelterbelts, and revegetate burnt vegetation is coming from over 15,691 km away via the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

“Recovery from the 2019-20 bushfires on KI will take many years” Veronica Bates, Manager of the KI Native Plant Nursery said.

“Initially landholders have needed to concentrate their efforts on rebuilding their homes and farms and many are only just now able to begin to replace their lost shelterbelts and windbreaks, and revegetate areas to prevent erosion and provide habitat to native fauna. This will take years and support from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation will be invaluable in enabling them to do this work” she said.

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has directly supported 19 KI landholders this year to plant 9,979 trees and shrubs and most importantly to protect these seedlings from hungry stock, kangaroos, possums and wallabies. The landholders have used the funding to replace windbreaks and shelterbelts that protect their stock, in particular lambing ewes, from inclement weather. They have revegetated areas to mitigate erosion created when native vegetation was burnt across hillsides and coastal sand dunes. Landholders have also replanted new areas on their properties to provide habitat and food for animals, such as the endangered glossy black-cockatoo and the honey bee.

“The KI Native Plant Nursery is very grateful to the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation for their funding of plants and guards which is enabling KI landholders to do this valuable work” said Veronica Bates.

“Knowing this funding will continue to support KI landholders as they rebuild their properties over the coming years is a very welcome relief” concluded Veronica Bates.

Hard working Kangaroo Island Native Plant Nursery Manager Veronica Bates with seedlings sponsored by Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation for KI landholders.