Andrew Knop of Mountain Creek today received a Private Land Conservation Grant for outstanding conservation efforts on his property "Mottlecah".

Part of Andrew’s property is protected under a conservation agreement with the Nature Conservation Trust and this grant will help him realise his ideas and plans for continuing management of conservation on the property,” said Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife CEO Ms Leonie Gale.

Private Land Conservation Grants support owners of covenanted properties to conduct habitat or species conservation projects on their property. This year more than $73,000 was awarded to 25 landholders with conservation agreements.

Paddy Pallin Foundation Trustee, Mr Robert Pallin said “The program acknowledges people who do conservation on their own land and supports them in their long term commitment to conservation. Andrew will receive $1900 for weed control and seed collection for endangered species habitat restoration.”

"The property has suffered with high levels of goat numbers for quite a long time and has lost its edible shrub layer. The grant will help put the structural complexity back into the landscape for native species." said Mr Knop

“Private conservation is extremely important because most land in Australia is privately owned, and protecting Australia’s native animals in their natural habitat is of great benefit to future generations,” said the Wildlife Land Trust’s Michael Kennedy.

“We are working in partnership with the the Office of Environment and Heritage, the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife, the Paddy Pallin Foundation, the Wildlife Land Trust and the Diversicon Environmental Foundation to offer the grants as an effective way of working with the community to care for Australia’s natural and cultural heritage,” said Nature Conservation Trust of NSW CEO, Paul Toni.

For a full list of grant recipients see www.fnpw.org.au.

The next funding round will open in early 2011.