Horses, Land And Water

Community of Practice

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Habitat for native plants and animals
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Introduction

Most horse properties, particularly in rural areas, have significant native plant habitats and other areas which can be habitats for native animals, birds and fish. Properties where horses are kept can contribute valuable habitat for our dwindling native plant and animal communities.
 
It is important that such habitats are preserved and managed on horse properties. There may be significant opportunities to enhance habitats on the property. The planning and management of these habitat areas should be a key part of the Property Management Plan.
 
Landowners have responsibilities to preserve and protect native vegetation, including forest, woodland, grasslands, wetlands and watercourses.
 
In South Australia, if native vegetation is destroyed by grazing, this could be regarded as a form of vegetation clearance, which is regulated under the Native Vegetation Act 1991 and Native Vegetation Regulations 2003. This Act allows grazing in native vegetation provided that the type of stock, the manner and rate of grazing is the same as has occurred in the previous 10 years.
 
Horse owners in other States will need to check with their local authorities.
 
Steps to achieve best practice

The suggested steps to achieve this are as follows. These would be identified when you do a Property Management Plan.
 
 
Step 1

Look at what is already on the property - native vegetation (including trees, shrubs and grasses), creeks, wetlands etc. which could be habitats for animals, and keep an eye out for native animals and birds on your property.
 
You can get advice on habitats from your local council, local Landcare group, Local Action Planning group, Natrual Resources Management Board or other natural resource management organisations that may be in your area (see links for suggestions).
 
 
Step 2

Look at how you can manage and protect the habitats on your property:-
  • The best way to protect native vegetation from decline, and to protect watercourses etc, is to fence these areas off to keep horses and livestock out.
  • Control any weeds and pest animals that occur in these areas, because these can do a lot of damage to native vegetation.
  • If you are using pesticides and chemicals in nearby areas, look at keeping a reasonable buffer distance between the spray area and the native habitat to avoid spray drift and prevent damage to the native vegetation.
  • Keep to marked trails and track surface areas when exercising horses.
Some other options to consider that could help you protect significant stands of native vegetation on the property include:-
  • Entering into a formal Heritage Agreement on a block of native vegetation, whereby a payment is made to the property owner, and the vegetation is fenced by the agency. This is a permanent agreement that applies to the property title.
  • You may be able to apply for funding subsidies for fencing of existing vegetation or replanting of local native species on the property. Contact your local Landcare group, Local Action Planning group or other natural resource management organisations that may be in your area (see links). Note that in some cases an informal management agreement may apply (e..g. for 5-10 years) to the fenced area of native vegetation, depending on the policy of the funding programs.
 
Step 3

Consider ways you could expand or enhance the habitats on the property. You can get advice from bushcare advisers, Landcare or Local Action Planning coordinators (see links).
 
Some ways to do this are:
  • plant local native species,
  • leave fallen hollow logs, and
  • look at expanding vegetation areas to build on wildlife corridors in your district.
   
Best Practice
 
Existing habitats are protected and enhanced for native plants and animals.

 
 
 
It is important that habitats for native plants and animals are preserved and managed.

Links
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