Tasmanian Forest Conservation Fund
Enhanced conservation of forests on private land is a priority for the Australian and Tasmanian Governments. Conservation goals for forests cannot be met without the support of private landowners. Nearly 30 per cent of Tasmania's forest is on private land, including many forest communities that are threatened as a result of their rarity or past land clearing.
The Forest Conservation Fund (FCF) was developed under the Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement. The FCF is a new market-based program, targeting old growth and under reserved forest communities on private land. The Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts will administer this program.
The objectives of the FCF are to protect up to 45,600 hectares of forested private land, targeting old growth forest and under-reserved forest communities, of which there will be a minimum of 25,000 hectares of old growth forest and up to 2,400 hectares of forest in the Mole Creek area. The FCF will support private landowners to manage their forest for conservation using mechanisms such as:
- voluntary stewardship arrangements, secured in perpetuity through covenants on the land
- development of conservation management plans with the landholder
- provision of ongoing advice and assistance to manage protected areas
How will the FCF work?
The Australia and Tasmanian Governments have agreed to establish a joint steering committee to manage the program and develop forest conservation priorities and funding criteria. The governments will consult with stakeholders such as Private Forests Tasmania, Timber Communities Australia, the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers' Association, and the Tasmanian Conservation Trust on design and implementation of the program.
The FCF will seek bids from the owners of high conservation value forest. Landowners will be able to nominate the value that they place on managing their land for conservation. Landowner proposals will be assessed on the basis of their comparative value in meeting the program's conservation priorities.
Round One for the Forest Conservation Fund opened 3 March 2007. Request for Site Assessments must be received by the 7 May 2007 and applications must be submitted to the Service Provider by 16 July 2007. Further information about tender round one.
Are you interested?
If you would like further information about the FCF, please contact the Service Provider via 1300 854 456 or email fcf@environment.gov.au
Forest Conservation Fund
- Overview
- Advisory group
- Conservation advisers
- Steering committee
- Strategic plan
- Tender round one
- Forestry contacts
- Brochure
- Newsletter
- Landowner information kit
Key
Links to another web site
Opens a pop-up window