Arnold and Mary Vayo of New Italy today received a Private Land Conservation Grant for outstandingconservation efforts on their property "Vineyard Haven".

“Part of Arnold and Mary’s property is protected under a conservation agreement and this grant will help them realise their 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 orspecies 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 doconservation on their own land and supports them in their long term commitment to conservation. Arnold and Mary will receive $1939.47 for interpretive signage to promote conservation values to public.”

"This program is remarkable encouragement for private landholders to work to enhance and protect the fauna and flora of Australia." said Mr and Mrs Vayo.

“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 Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife, the Paddy PallinFoundation, the Wildlife Land Trust, the Diversicon Environmental Foundation and the Nature Conservation Trust of NSW to offer the grants as an effective way of working with the community to care for Australia’s natural and cultural heritage,” said the Office of Environment and Heritage Conservation Partners Program Manager Dr Lynn Webber.

The conservation works at New Italy contributes to the Great Eastern Ranges, a landscape scalecorridor to protect endangered and threatened species through connectivity of ecosystems.

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

The next funding round will open in early 2011.