Local Corridor Mirrors Continental Efforts
Getting Involved
Andrew Hicks owns Annadale South, a 2,400 hectare property west of Holbrook in the Slopes to Summit region of the Great Eastern Ranges. Most of the farm’s income comes from producing beef bulls. Andrew moved into the area from Victoria’s Yarra Valley in the 1990s. He says the now well-stocked property was 'a bit run down' when he purchased it.Â
In the first few years Andrew’s efforts were mainly directed to building up the property. After that he turned his attention to improving his land through carefully targeted conservation measures and over time developed a personal commitment to conservation.
'Until recently we planted several thousand trees each year, mainly in gullies and erosion slopes, and also for shelter and wind breaks', said Andrew. 'One year we planted around 26,000 trees for a particularly significant project.'
Andrew has been active with the Holbrook Landcare Group for many years and says it's important for landholders to come together to swap experiences and learn from one other. It is evident he has deep respect for the individuals who have made the Holbrook Landcare Group so successful over many years.
One Landcare project saw Andrew and his farming neighbours plant a vegetation corridor along Ten Mile Creek, which runs through his property. The corridor connects open spaces in the town of Holbrook to the ranges that border Annadale South. The farmers planted the corridor so birds and other wildlife could move freely through the landscape. What Andrew and others did is a localised example of how the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative will eventually link landscapes on a continental scale.
'The corridor project brought individual landholders together and everyone contributed according to their various degrees of greenness.'
Andrew emphasises the economic viability of his farm is his top priority and to make conservation work landholders need fresh ideas and money behind them.
He is continually learning about preserving the landscape for nature and for production.Â
'So if someone can show me a better way of doing something then I want to be part of it.'
