Working with Farmers to Support Wildlife in the Bega Valley

The Bega Valley supports a diverse range of wildlife species and serves as an important movement pathway for animals. We are committed to supporting on-farm ecological and biodiversity protection and enhancements. Bega Group, and the Regional Circularity Co-operative, have partnered with the Great Eastern Ranges (GER) and WIRES to boost biodiversity and connectivity in the Valley.

The Great Eastern Ranges works with partners across eastern Australia to connect, protect and regenerate nature by bringing together more than 250 environmental non-profits, Landcare and community groups, government agencies, First Nations organisations and research partners. WIRES is Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organisation. It has been rescuing and caring for sick, injured and orphaned native animals for over 35 years.

Over the last two years, Bega Group has been working with GER to boost biodiversity and connectivity in the Bega Valley as part of Glideways, Flyways and Stepping Stones. A project supported WIRES to assist animals still recovering from the devastating 2019-2020 bushfires across southeast Australia.

The project has created 102ha of biodiversity corridors on private land. It has involved establishing 32km of fencing and planting 22,300 native trees across nine properties in the Bega Valley. The project has targeted the habitat of key species including the powerful owl, koala, yellow bellied glider, sugar glider and glossy black cockatoo.

Great Eastern Ranges in partnership with WIRES has provided valuable funding and technical expertise for this project. Together with the Regional Circularity Co-operative, we have drawn on our relationships with landholders and local land rehabilitation specialists to coordinate the on-ground works.