Wildlife on rural land
If you live in a rural area, you probably share your place with a host of native plants and animals.
Wildlife know no boundaries and even fences won't keep many animals out if you have plenty of natural bushland and a good water supply on your property.
As the Government agency responsible for protecting native plants and animals, the department appreciates the ways many private landholders help conserve native wildlife.
Living with wildlife can be easy
The same principles apply whether you are trying to protect your property's economic value or accommodating native wildlife needs. To make your property wildlife-friendly:
- Try to keep natural bush along your ridges and creeks.
- Plant trees in clumps. They will also provide shelter for your livestock.
- When you build a dam, include one or more islands where waterbirds can roost, nest and feed.
What can native vegetation do for you?
If you already have native vegetation on your property, try to keep it. Consider re-planting cleared or degraded areas. Native plants can be used to:
- Protect your livestock and soil from sun, wind and rain.
- Provide shade and windbreaks around your house.
- Reduce or prevent soil salinity, soil erosion and landslips.
- Help improve the soil through nutrient recycling and increase the moisture-retaining qualities of your soil.
- Provide food and shelter for native animals.
- Attract native animals which help reduce pests such as insects and non-native rats.
- Improve the appearance and value of your property.
- Provide a source of timber, seed, flowers and honey.
- Provide a source of local plants to rehabilitate any degraded parts of your property.
- Provide shade to reduce evaporation from your farm dams.
- Provide feed in drought times.
Is your property outstanding?
If you think your property has outstanding value for native plants and animals, you might consider having your property declared a nature refuge. National parks alone will never be able to protect the incredible variety of Queensland's plants and animals. Private landholders have a vital role to play in providing extra habitat and sharing their properties with our native wildlife.
If your property becomes a nature refuge, ownership is not changed. The only difference is that wildlife needs have to be considered when managing your property. For more advice, contact your nearest Department of Environment and Resource Management/Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service office.
Last updated 1 March 2011