Wollongong City Council will partner with local governments, the NSW Environmental Trust, and the Environmental Defenders Office to host a workshop on protecting biodiversity on private property.

Council will host the workshop at the Dapto Ribbonwood Centre on Thursday 16 June.

Manager Environmental Strategy and Planning Vanni De Luca said the workshop is an opportunity for landowners to learn more about how they can carry out private conservation on their land and also how they can access State funds.

“This workshop will involve Shellharbour and Kiama councils, the NSW Environmental Trust and the Environmental Defenders office. It is an important workshop to help council work with private landholders to build up the biodiversity of land which adjoins the Illawarra escarpment and native vegetation of the coastal plain,” Mr De Luca said.

“It is good management to help biodiversity on your private property as biodiversity provides a range of ecosystems services including protection of water quality, soil formation, and contribution to climate stability. Conserving biodiversity on your property is essential to maintain a healthy support system in your area. In fact all living creatures, including humans, depend on these ecosystems services for the necessities of life.”

Conservation on private land is an important element of biodiversity protection. In NSW, just over eight per cent of land is held in protected areas, such as national parks.

There is now a broad consensus that relying on protected areas alone will not stem the loss of biodiversity in Australia. The workshop will help private landowners access agencies and funds to help develop mechanisms which allow and encourage private landholders to protect vegetation and habitat on their land.

The Environmental Defender's Office is a not-for-profit community legal centre specialising in public interest environmental law. We help individuals and community groups who are working to protect the natural and built environment.

For more information on the Private Conservation Law Workshop you can call the Environmental Defenders Office on (02) 9262 6989 or email on education@edo.org.au.