Published on Thursday, 18 July 2024 at 3:03:59 PM
An extensive roadside vegetation mapping project has commenced in the Shire of Denmark, conducting on-ground spatial mapping of roadside vegetation across the majority of Shire roads.
The data captured during the project will identify vegetation type, bushland condition, diversity of native flora, and presence of weed species in an effort to ensure the protection of native vegetation in the future.
Spanning for six months, the project will run until November 2024, with the data set to feed into the development of a Biodiversity Strategy, as outlined in the Shire’s new Local Planning Strategy.
“The data we collect throughout this project will help ensure the conservation of roadside native vegetation, which is crucial for sustaining biodiversity and ecological values in our Shire,” Shire of Denmark Sustainability Officer Yvette Caruso said.
“Native vegetation alongside roads often serves as a refuge for threatened flora and fauna, while also acting as an agent for stabilisation, erosion and salinity control, so it is important that we protect these areas for the future health of our natural environment.”
With an extensive list of threats to its health - including roadside clearing, spraying, slashing, invasive weeds, dieback, and more – developing an accurate assessment of the health of roadside vegetation will allow the Shire to take steps to mitigate those threats.
The Roadside Vegetation Mapping project is aligned with the Shire of Denmark’s Sustainability Strategy (2021-2031) key Sustainability Pillar of Land and Nature: ‘We will protect and enhance our natural systems that are vital to the sustainability of our local community’.
For more information on this project, head to https://www.yourdenmark.wa.gov.au/roadside-vegetation-mapping
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