In the heart of the Upper Hunter, between Kingdon Ponds and Dartbrook Creek, lies one of NSW’s most significant conservation areas.
The 40-hectares of Hunter Floodplain Red Gum Woodland is home to a population of naturally occurring river red gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) found east of the Great Dividing Range.
This remarkable patch of country, now protected by an in-perpetuity conservation agreement, is managed by long-term property owner John Taylor, whose vision and commitment are helping secure the future of this endangered ecological community.
Senior Conservation Officer Brendan Mee said John’s property was the largest known remnant of the Hunter Floodplain Red Gum Woodland.
“It’s an incredibly important community, and to have it protected under a conservation agreement is a major step forward for biodiversity in NSW”, Brendan said.
About 20 hectares of river red gum forest already thrives on the property, with John committing to revegetate a neighbouring 20 hectares to double the size of the rare ecosystem.
With annual payments from the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust, he will work to revegetate his land with red gums to help restore the landscape’s natural balance.
John has managed the property for more than 30 years and said in that time he’s moved from awareness of the rare environment he stewards, to action.
“When I first bought the property, my neighbour told me the forest was significant but that was all I knew,” John said.
“Over time, through surveys and the involvement of groups like the Royal Botanic Gardens and the NSW Government’s Saving Our Species program, I came to understand just how important this place really is.”
That understanding has grown into a genuine community effort.
The Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Land Council has an ongoing connection to the forest, where traditional scar trees tell stories of Country and culture stretching back thousands of years.
John’s vision for the conservation area is to foster broader connection between the forest and the local community, including artists and craftspeople, school groups and conservation volunteers.
“At one time this forest was just my retreat, but now I want people to understand and be aware of what’s here, because that’s the only way it will be preserved”, he said.
The conservation agreement was established through the Upper Hunter conservation tender: a competitive process where landholders bid for year-on-year costs to manage high-value conservation land.
“We assess these bids using a scientific method to identify the best value for money conservation outcomes,” Brendan said. “John’s property stood out as a top priority.”
As part of the agreement, John has worked with our local team to develop a management plan to control weeds, feral animals and fire risk within the conservation area, allowing an adaptive management regime to allow occasional low-intensity cattle grazing, when needed, to reduce excess vegetation.
The annual payments, indexed against market costs, support the conservation management plan, and the site is monitored every 5 years to measure changes in biodiversity.
For John, protecting the red gums is about more than just managing land, it’s also about his legacy.
“I talk to a lot of farmers, and many are thinking about legacy and what they’re leaving behind,” he said.
“But it’s one thing to think about it, and another to do something. The funding was what got me over the line, and it will help others too.
“I’ve always believed you can run a productive farm and still look after the environment. I didn’t want to lock the land up and walk away. This agreement lets me manage it actively by controlling weeds and monitoring wildlife, while still using parts of it for low-impact grazing.”
Brendan said John’s property was a standout example of conservation in action.
“He’s got a really good balance between production and biodiversity. The woodland is in excellent condition, and John’s management is improving it even further.
"Private landholders like John play a vital role in the broader conservation picture. Private land conservation is essential to protecting biodiversity and achieving our national conservation targets. Having landholders like John engaged and committed makes an incredible difference,” he said.
About the Hunter Valley Floodplain Red Gum Woodland
The Hunter Floodplain Red Gum Woodland is under threat from habitat loss, grazing damage, weed invasion, and altered flooding patterns. Clearing for agriculture, land development, and hydrological changes have fragmented and degraded the ecosystem, with ongoing issues like dieback, pollution, and the loss of old trees further endangering the woodland community.
Conservation on private land is important because more than 80 per cent of the land in NSW is privately managed. By prioritising and managing areas of privately-held land for conservation, landowners are adding to and growing Australia's National Reserve System of public, Indigenous and privately protected areas.
Landholders, like John, also contribute to global goals to protect nature, support a future more resilient to climate change and ensure native plants and animals have the habitat they need to survive.