Understanding Our Native Grasslands

The merit of NSW’s sometimes undervalued native grasslands is getting deserved recognition with the publication of a booklet, Understanding Our Native Grasslands by the Natural Resources Advisory Council (NRAC). 

The booklet aims to raise community awareness about the critical role native grasslands play in maintaining healthy soils and water, creating habitat for animals and plants, fodder for stock and as being culturally important for indigenous people.

In western NSW, native grassland once covered more than 3.7 million hectares, almost half of which has been removed or replaced since European settlement. Few of the lowland native grasslands of central western NSW remain in their original condition and they rank among Australia’s most threatened ecosystems.

Native grasslands have been shown to:

• be naturally drought tolerant and frost resistant and can help to maintain fodder all year round;
• provide low input production for land managers;
• respond quickly to rainfall; and
• produce wool fleece that is softer, better in colour and of finer quality.

The booklet is available from the NRAC Secretariat (02 9895 7334). Or click here to download “Understanding Our Native Grasslands” Booklet

The Natural Resources Advisory Council is an independent body that was set up by the NSW Government as a single forum for stakeholder advice on high level natural resources management and land use issues.