MANY local landholders have taken up the opportunity to have their properties professionally mapped for free, as part of an initiative of the Ovens Landcare Network (OLN).
The OLN received funding from the Australian Government under the Smart Farms, Small Grants Program to assist 220 landholders, who are members of their local Landcare group, to develop property maps across the Ovens Catchment.
The organisation will also run a series of workshops in May providing targeted technical support and advice to landholders around the improvement of natural assets on their properties.
Project officer Sally Day said she will work with landholders to develop an A1 sized colour laminated property map detailing the location of property boundaries, fencing, waterways and roads, with the potential for other features such as water points and paddock names to be added.
She said the map is designed to be used as a tool for planning works and activities on-farm.
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While many have taken advantage of the opportunity to have a map created, from locations in Bright, Beechworth, the King Basin through to Rutherglen, there is still time for more to register.
"The map benchmarks the current arrangement of fencing and allows an aerial view of the property to assess needs for shade, shelter, improvements to farm watering systems, grazing systems and protection of natural assets and so on," Ms Day said.
"It can be displayed on a wall in the shed or house and to use wipe-board markers to sketch ideas and record important information on their map, like dates paddocks are sown, or spray rates."
Ms Day will then develop a draft map for review, with participants able to book in for a 90-minute consultation to finalise it and explore opportunities for improving natural resource management and/or productivity on the property.
A range of resources will be available to support the discussion including information on weed control, management of farm dams, designing revegetation sites, fencing and managing erosion.
The project is running until mid-May and is available to Landcare members, with registration at https://tinyurl.com/OLNpropertyplans or contact Sally Day on 0437 136 162.
