Conservation management guidelines

Disclaimer: The information in these resources is general in nature and intended as a guide only. For information or advice specific to your BCT agreement, contact your local Landholder Support Officer or the BCT hotline: 1300 992 688. 

Conservation e-learning

Learn conservation management activity you can do on your property via our free online learning program of themed modules.

Review the modules 
Managing farm dams for biodiversity

A well-managed dam can be a valuable resource for native wildlife and ecosystem function.

Learn more 
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Artificial hollows guidelines front cover
Publication 1.21 MB
BCT Artificial Hollows Guidelines

These guidelines provide consistency in identifying fauna species for which artificial hollows are appropriate, outlines specifications for different species, and identifies circumstances where funding of artificial hollows is supported by the BCT.

Download (PDF, 1.21 MB)
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Template for guiding regeneration and revegetation
Publication 292.05 KB
Best practice revegetation plan template

Template for accredited assessors in guiding regeneration and revegetation.

Download (PDF, 292.05 KB)
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Ecological thinning
Publication 1.08 MB
Ecological Thinning Guidelines

To provide landholders with a broad understanding of ecological thinning in the context of biodiversity conservation and management.

Download (PDF, 1.08 MB)
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Essential conservation fencing
Publication 477.4 KB
Essential Conservation Fencing Guidelines

To assist landholder with conservation fencing, including standards and cost benchmarks.

Download (PDF, 477.4 KB)
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The first page of the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust's koala fencing guidelines
Publication 385.44 KB
Rural fencing modifications for koala movement

This fact sheet offers advice on fencing suitable for koala movement across a conservation agreement area.

Download (PDF, 385.44 KB)
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Cover page of the NSW NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust guidelines for managing overabundant kangaroos
Publication 1.44 MB
Managing overabundant kangaroos

NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust guidance on managing overabundant kangaroos on conservation agreement properties

Download (PDF, 1.44 MB)
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Roo brochure
Publication 635.43 KB
Managing overabundant kangaroos brochure

A visual guide to accompany the guidelines above.

Download (PDF, 635.43 KB)
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RENEWS fire recovery
Publication 114.95 KB
RENEWS: guide for conservation recovery post-fire

Key steps in recovery after a bushfire.

Download (PDF, 114.95 KB)
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Restoring native veg
Publication 1.27 MB
Restoring Native Vegetation Guidelines

To support landholders undertaking assisted regeneration and revegetation.

Download (PDF, 1.27 MB)
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BCT permissible activities guide Front Cover
Publication 1007.45 KB
Passive recreational and commercial activities

To outline recreational and commercial activities permitted within new agreements established under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

Download (PDF, 1007.45 KB)

Grazing to support conservation

The BCT has a number of resources to support grazing strategies which maximise biodiversity values. 

The guidelines below have been developed for landholders involved in the BCT’s programs to help develop grazing strategies that maintain and enhance biodiversity in native grassland and grassy woodland ecosystems.

The grazing monitoring and protocol document helps landholder monitor and report grazing. 

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BCT Livestock Grazing Guidelines Cover_Feb 2022
Publication 2.47 MB
Livestock grazing guidelines

Guidelines to help landholders develop livestock grazing strategies that maintain and enhance biodiversity.

Download (PDF, 2.47 MB)
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LH Brochure Title Card 2022
Publication 5.36 MB
Livestock Grazing Management

Guidelines to identify land where grazing may be an appropriate conservation management tool and explain the grazing strategies available to conserve and enhance biodiversity in native grassland and grassy woodland ecosystems.

Download (PDF, 5.36 MB)
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Grazing management tools
Publication 1.77 MB
Grazing management tools

A deck of grazing management 'cards' to assist with measuring healthy condition vegetation and ground cover, identify who's grazing in your paddock, and set up photo monitoring points. Print, cut out and attach together as a handy guide.

Download (PDF, 1.77 MB)
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Sward
Publication 127.96 KB
Sward height ruler - all BCT regions

Print and cut out this ruler (double-sided) to assist in measuring average sward height of native grasses in your conservation area.

Download (PDF, 127.96 KB)
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Sward
Publication 139.76 KB
Sward height ruler - Central West region

Print and cut out this ruler (double-sided) to assist in measuring average sward height of native grasses specific to the Central West NSW in your conservation area.

Download (PDF, 139.76 KB)

Fire as a management tool

Fire is integral to many Australian ecosystems. Native species and ecological communities have evolved with, and in some cases become dependent on, the occurrence of fire to support natural life cycles. 

The use of fire as a management tool by Aboriginal people has shaped Australia's landscapes for tens of thousands of years.

The guidelines below have been developed to support fire as a management tool for private land conservation (PLC) agreements. They can also be used to determine whether burning may be an appropriate management action within an agreement area. 

 

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Fire as a management tool_Front Cover
Publication 1.85 MB
Fire as a management tool

This document contains all the information necessary to understand the planning and implementation of fire as a tool to manage biodiversity.

Download (PDF, 1.85 MB)
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establishing an agreement_Front Cover
Publication 972.42 KB
Factsheet for new agreements

To assist landholders who are looking to establish an agreement with the BCT and understand how this may affect bush fire risk management activities.

Download (PDF, 972.42 KB)
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existing an agreement_Front Cover
Publication 1.29 MB
Factsheet for existing agreements

To assist existing BCT agreement holders understand fire activities that can be undertaken within an agreement area.

Download (PDF, 1.29 MB)

Land management educational videos

Managing for conservation
Restoring native vegetation

Linked to the Restoring Native Vegetation Guidelines above, this video highlights the different factors to consider before undertaking a native vegetation restoration project on your property.

Watch the video here 
Managing for Conservation
The Benefits of Artificial Hollows

Learn about the benefits of artificial hollows and monitoring the species that use them. 

https://youtu.be/J3BO9W1Y0m8 
Managing for Conservation
Grazing as a Conservation Tool

The BCT's Alice McGrath discusses the key things to consider when using grazing as a tool for conservation.

Watch the video here 
MANAGING FOR CONSERVATION
Hollows to support habit

The BCT's Harriet Ampt talks through different options to help native animals by installing artificial hollows on your land.

Watch the video here 
MANAGING FOR CONSERVATION
Exploring your conservation area

BCT ecologist Joel Stibbard discusses ways to identify and record the biodiversity on your property and highlights how the information can build our understanding of landscape.

Watch the video here 
MANAGING FOR CONSERVATION
Wildlife friendly fencing

Joel Stibbard looks at the important things to consider when choosing appropriate fencing for your conservation area.

Watch the video here 
Managing for Conservation
Weed Management & Property Planning

A look at how landholders can tackle the challenge of restoring ecosystems to their natural state through planning and prioritising weed control.

Watch the video here 
Managing for conservation
Recovering from a fire event

BCT ecologist Joel Stibbard talks through the steps for recovering after a bushfire event, how to prepare for future fires, and what you can do to help restore the biodiversity on your property.

Watch the video here 

Third-party guidelines on conservation and land management

Additional resources to assist landholders with general conservation management issues*. 

Animal pest control

Vertebrate Pest Animals - Information for land managers

For more information on animal pest control, we recommend contacting your regional Local Land Services. Their contact details can be found on their website.

Native vegetation management

Florabank Model Code of Practice for community-based collectors and suppliers of native plant seed

Weeds

NSW Weed Control Handbook
NSW Weed Wise