Restoring country while growing productivity

The project spans from properties around Burra, Hallett, Peterborough, Mount Bryan, Yongala, Kapunda and Eudunda, and is funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust Program. The $1.9 million, five-year initiative is being delivered by the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board to protect threatened ecological communities.

The peppermint box grassy woodlands and iron-grass natural temperate grasslands are both listed as critically endangered under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

These unique ecosystems have been heavily impacted by land clearing, grazing and invasive weeds, leading to reduced biodiversity and loss of habitat for species such as the pygmy bluetongue lizard.

During the project, 20 landholders will take action to restore these landscapes while improving the long-term productivity of their farms. Activities include new fencing and stock containment infrastructure, targeted revegetation and strategic weed control. 

The project will also trial best-practice grazing and revegetation techniques to show that sustainable, profitable farming and healthy ecosystems can go hand-in-hand.

“By helping farmers recognise the value of these ecosystems, we are working together to restore and protect these threatened landscapes and accelerate landscape recovery,” Stronger Country Project Manager Jessie White said. 

George Millington of Collinsville Stud Merinos, a participating landholder, said the project had offered practical and valuable support.

“Jessie and the Stronger Country team have been really helpful, using their experience to guide what we can implement on our land,” he said.

“What we’re doing is a win-win – we’re increasing our on-farm productivity while giving back to the environment. The loss of natural grasses in South Australia has been massive, and we’re proud to be part of restoring them.”

The project also includes collaboration with First Nations partners to explore cultural land management practices on farm properties.

Key project outcomes:

• Protecting 20,000 ha of peppermint box grassy woodlands and iron-grass natural temperate grasslands
• Developing 20 property management plans, covering more than 81,000 ha
• Strengthening First Nations connections to Country through cultural engagement
• Delivering $530,000 in on-ground works to enhance threatened ecosystems
• Improving productivity across 93,500 ha of farmland.

For more information on identifying iron-grass natural temperate grasslands and peppermint box grassy woodlands, visit the NYLB website.

To book a free property visit and get free expert land management advice, contact Jessie White at jessie.white@sa.gov.au.

This project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel. Partners include Flinders University, Trees for Life and participating pastoral landowners.