Future growth: A 3.5ha parcel of land, which contains a stand of remnant grey box trees, is central to a long-term environmental agreement Allen Canobie has entered into with the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority.
Semi-retired Numurkah farmer Allen Canobie says a decision to fence off a portion of his farm for conservation purposes is one he’s never regretted.
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The 3.5 hectare parcel of land, which contains a stand of remnant grey box trees, is central to a long-term environmental agreement.
“I had always planted trees and I wanted to explore a way of protecting the beautiful grey boxes into the future,“ Mr Canobie said.
The ex-dairy farmer entered into a 10-year management agreement with Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority to manage the site for conservation purposes.
“This has been a joint project between my wife Margaret and me. I would definitely encourage other people to protect a section of their land for nature,” Mr Canobie said.
“I particularly love the grey box trees. I’m told one could be as old as 300 years. That’s incredible.
“Given we have lost so many old paddock trees, I felt it was my duty to protect the ones on my property.”
He said it been interesting to watch native fauna return to the site.
“We saw a goanna recently and we haven’t seen one of those for a long time.
“It’s very satisfying to watch the site develop and change over time. It’s also comforting to know that we have left something for the future.”
As part of the agreement, the site has been direct-seeded to promote understorey regrowth and protected from grazing with 270m of fencing.
Find out more about conservation management agreements at www.gbcma.vic.gov.au or phone 5822 7700.
Paying it forward: Semi-retired Numurkah farmer Allen Canobie sees entering into a 10-year conservation management agreement for a portion of his land as a worthwhile investment.
Photo by
Caroline Keenan
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