A PROPERTY in Molong has become a haven for wildlife, with more than 70 bird species, 12 species of bats and seven species of frogs recorded after years of work to improve biodiversity.
That’s according to property owners Cameron and Sue Wild, who opened their slice of heaven to the community on Saturday 8 August as part of Central Tablelands Local Landcare’s celebration of Landcare Week.
Now in its 19th year, Landcare Week aims to celebrate the work of landholders and communities to improve the health and biodiversity of their local environments.
Central Tablelands Local Landcare coordinator Mysie Harper said the Wilds’ property was a “fabulous example” of what could be achieved through landcare.
Mr and Ms Wild have undertaken extensive planting around their home and across paddocks, while also fencing dams and the creek to keep stock out.
The property has also been part of a carbon offset program with Greening Australia, which has involved planting a variety of trees.
Over the years, the changes have seen wildlife return to the property, with more than 70 bird species now identified alongside 12 bat and seven frog species.
Ms Harper said the numbers were significant not only because of the diversity of wildlife itself, but because they indicated the presence of a much broader ecosystem.
“Though these are wonderful in themselves, they’re also indicators of the broad range of insect, reptile and small mammal species on the property,” she said.
Visitors were given the chance to see some of the work firsthand during a farm walk, with Mr Wild sharing how they had developed the property and the changes they had made over time.
Children were also encouraged to get involved, with honey tasting among the activities on offer, although many of the younger visitors joined their families on the farm walk.
The morning provided an opportunity for the community to learn more about biodiversity while celebrating the practical work being done by local landholders.
For Central Tablelands Local Landcare, the property demonstrated how changes made at an individual property level can have a lasting impact on the wildlife and wider ecosystem.
